Phuthu Stay Phut, Don't go!

Which is the odd one out?

A lot of people are not aware of the Municipal by-elections taking place today around much of the country. I know in our area there have been posters pinned up along the main roads for the last 3 weeks but that’s it – I haven’t seen much in the news at all. Why should you vote? Well, the municipal by-elections will decide which political party runs your ward or area. So unless you want your road to be called Julius Malema Avenue, then go and vote for a party other than the you know what!

All you need is your bar-coded ID and a spring in your step. If you’re not sure where to vote, the best bet is to phone your political party’s head office and ask about voting stations in your area.

This is the full press release from the Independednt Electoral Committee (IEC). You can see the wards being contested as well as the candidates for each ward:

Municipal ward by-elections will take place on Wednesday, 5 May 2010 in the Eastern Cape, Free State, Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Limpopo, Mpumalanga and North West.

The Electoral Commission (IEC) confirmed that 13 vacant wards will be contested by 39 candidates of whom three (3) are independent candidates and the rest represents 12 political parties. One ward is uncontested.

One by-election will take place in the Eastern Cape:

• Ward 7 in Inxuba Yethemba [Cradock] – EC131 will be contested by an independent candidate, Thobile Amos Jack; and Nombuzo Eunice Ngcingolo of the African National Congress.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillor.

Two by-elections were called in the Free State of which one is uncontested:

• Ward 5 in Phumelela [Vrede] – FS195 is uncontested. Ouma Annah Mokoena of the African National Congress is the only candidate; while

• Ward 16 in Metsimaholo [Sasolburg] – FS204 will be contested by David Johannes Keyser of the African National Congress; Hans Jurie Moolman of the Democratic Alliance; and Theo du Toit of the Vryheidsfront Plus.

Both wards were previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillors.

Three by-elections will take place in Gauteng:

• Ward 78 in Ekurhuleni [East Rand] – EKU will be contested by Thoko Gladys Radebe of the African National Congress; and Sibusiso Shadrack Dhlamini of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillor.

• Ward 15 in Randfontein [Randfontein] – GT482 will be contested by Serame William Nawa of the African National Congress; and Duduzile Maria Xenxe of the Congress of the People.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the expulsion of the councillor by the Member of the Executive Council (MEC).

• Ward 74 in Tshwane Metro [Pretoria] – TSH will be contested by Amos Menzelwa Mahlangu of the African Christian Alliance; Mfana Abram Marobane of the African National Congress; Louise Olwagen of the Christian Democratic Party; Nomvuyo Agnes Rapoo of the Democratic Alliance; and Lelu Annia Sekwele of the United Christian Democratic Party.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillor.

Three by-elections will take place in the KwaZulu-Natal:

• Ward 10 in eThekwini [Durban Metro] – ETH will be contested by Innocent Dumezweni Ndlovu of the African National Congress; Gillian Margaret Noyce of the Democratic Alliance; and Coenraad Hendrik Selzer of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

The ward was previously represented by the Democratic Alliance and became vacant due to the resignation of the councillor.

• Ward 4 in Nqutu [Nqutu] – KZN242 will be contested by Siphenisonke Patrick Mazibuko of the African National Congress; and Sipho Albert Ngobese of the Inkatha Freedom Party.

The ward was previously represented by the Inkatha Freedom Party and became vacant due to the resignation of the councillor.

• Ward 2 in Newcastle [Newcastle] – KZN252 will be contested by two independent candidates – Adriaan Blaas and Jomary Adel Batista; Francois Jacobus van Rensburg of the African Christian Democratic Party; Bhekinkosi Leonard Zikalala of the African National Congress; Elizabeth Johanna Cecelia Cronje of the Democratic Alliance; Ray Wessel Delport of the Inkatha Freedom Party; Percy Sibusiso Sithebe of the South African Determined Volunteers; and Hendrik Johannes Jacob Coetzee of the Vryheidsfront Plus.

The ward was previously represented by the Democratic Alliance and became vacant due to the resignation of the councillor.

Two by-elections will take place in Limpopo:

• Ward 7 in Greater Letaba [Duiwelskloof] – LIM332 will be contested by Matome Lawrence Maake of the African Christian Democratic Party; Matome Simon Machethe of the African National Congress; Edward Nkotolane Sefotlo of the Congress of the People; and Mankoana Constance Sedutla of the United Christian Democratic Party.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillor.

• Ward 11 in Molemole [Dendron/Dikgale] – LIM353 will be contested by Moloko Paul Mehala of the African National Congress; and Tidimatso Josiah Mokabane of the Congress of the People.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the death of the councillor.

One by-election will take place in Mpumalanga:

• Ward 1 in Dipaleseng [Balfour] – MP306 will be contested by Didile Sofia Sitole of the African National Congress; and Velile Willem Mvundla of the Pan Africanist Congress of Azania.

The ward was previously represented by the African National Congress and became vacant due to the resignation of the councillor.

One by-election will take place in North West:

• Ward 12 in Greater Taung [Reivilo] – NW394 will be contested by Georginah Nontetho Tafane of the African National Congress; Pricilla Ontlametse Medichane fo the South African Political Party; and Keaoleboga Sylvia Mohitlheng of the United Christian Democratic Party.

The ward was previously represented by an independent councillor and became vacant due to his resignation.

Voting stations will be open from 07h00 to 21h00. A total of 80 300 voters are registered in the 13 wards and 66 voting districts where by-elections will be taking place.

Voters who need more information on the by-elections should contact their local Municipal Electoral Officer during office hours or visit the IEC website at www.elections.org.za. Contact details for Municipal Electoral Officers are available on the website (contact us).

ISSUED BY THE ELECTORAL COMMISSION

Question: What car would you absolutely love to drive (no need to be realistic) and which one would you hate to drive?

Louise

Love: Range Rover Sports
Hate: Red Ferrari

Kerry

Love: Astin Martin DB9
Hate: Fiat Multipla

Elzet

Love: Jeep Cherokee (green)
Hate: A red BMW (any model)

I usually scan my favourite blogs before I can put finger to keyboard. Especially on a  Monday. Not easy getting into the swing of things after a weekend. Particularly when it’s overcast and my brain is rebelling against the thought of mental work.

So I went to SA Rocks and saw this inspiring post. Love reading positive news like this. Love it, love it, love it!

Especially on a Monday.

Ok, it goes like this (press release):

Consider for a moment what you’re able to buy with R120. Perhaps a new T-shirt to add to the many in your cupboard, or a light lunch and cappuccino in a trendy restaurant?

Now, consider what R120 might mean for someone who has not worked for a week and has nothing else in their wallet. It may buy his family’s groceries or cover the costs of a year’s pre-school education.

True. So what is this all about?

‘Make South Africa Work’ is a campaign initiated by Men on the Side of the Road (MSR) to raise awareness about the need to create jobs and to encourage people to seize the initiative.

“MSR have declared the month of May the ‘Make South Africa Work Month’. We want to increase awareness of the plight of unemployed people and more importantly, to suggest ways you and I can help create jobs,” said Peter Kratz, National Director of MSR.”

What do they want from us?

“We want South Africans to realize that it is possible for them to create work. In the month of May we want those who can to create a job for a day, a week, a month, or even permanently. Short term jobs can be created by hiring a MSR member to sort out all those DIY chores you’ve been putting off since last year, like clipping your overgrown hedge, cleaning out your garage or giving that tatty old fence a coat of paint,” said Kratz.

Groups of friends could hire workers to help them clean up their street or local park. Working together we can all make South Africa Work.

How do we go about doing this?

MSR makes it easy for you to hire a worker with their organised pick-up points and database of skilled and recommended labourers at a minimum wage of R120 for eight hours of work.

Kratz said: “Why not create meaningful employment for someone, spend a R120 in a way that empowers them and helps you too.”

0861 WORKER (0861 967537)
email: [email protected]
www.employMen.co.za

Now we can read this, think it’s a great idea and move on to the next very important thing on our very important agenda, or we can put word to deed and be a part of the much-needed change in this country.

Ref: sarocks.co.za

PS. Thanks Nic for being so passionate about this country. It only takes a tiny flame to get a fire going.

The very first commercial flight has officially landed in KZN’s new King Shaka International Airport. A local Durban pilot landed the giant SAA Airbus yesterday. Three air force helicopters led the way and escorted the plane onto the runway, just as a water cannon opened up, courtesy of the fire department. It cascaded over the run way, welcoming the the plane with a ceremonious curtain of water . The plane taxied on towards the brand spanking new terminal buildings without incident.

It kind of leaves a lump in your throat don’t you think? What an extremely proud and historic moment for all South Africans.

For Herselman (the pilot), landing the inaugural flight at the new airport was particularly special

“Some 30 Years ago, when the land here was first leveled for the new airport development, I did my pilot training here on what was an airstrip. Now so many years later, to be able to land the first flight is unbelievable. Not every day will you be the first to land a giant aircraft at a brand new airport”

The multi-billion rand airport will start operations tomorrow morning, with the first flight due to take off at 6.30am.

The final curtain will come down on Durban international airport tonight, when the last flight, SA585, departs for Johannesburg. That is so sad, although I have no doubt that the new airport is bigger and much better equipped to deal with the tourist influx during the SWC, I loved that old pokey little airport, it will be sadly missed…….sniff.

The older airport will be handed over to the SA Air Force to be used as a military base during the SWC. It will eventually be decommissioned as an airport……….again…………..sniff!

Out with the old- shame man!

And in with the new

Have a look at these strange watches. By cracking the logic which connects them, you should be able to work out what time should be shown on the face of the fifth watch.