Cape Chameleon Issue 15

Issue No. 15 The Year in Stories 2012

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The Year in STorieSLooking back at 2011

Special

issue

OUR CONTRIBUTORS

Projects Abroad4th Floor, Letterstedt House

Newlands on MainCorner of Campground

Cape Town, 7700South Africa

(t) +27(0)21 674 4449(f) +44(0)1903 501026

www.projects-abroad.netwww.projects-abroad.org.za

DirectoryEditor

Rebecca Hugo-Saraceno

Assistant EditorKelly Easton

DesignAntonio Gallo

Fabiola SanchezLucano Maldonado

Cover imagesFront: Jenny W, www.sxc.hu; inside back: Emma Graham

Printed byColourtone Press

on FSC certified paper

ContactCape Chameleon

304a House VincentWynberg Mews

Brodie RoadWynberg

Cape Town, 7800South Africa

(t) +27(0)21 761 5707(e) [email protected]

www.capechameleon.co.za

After finishing her Political Studies, Jessica hopes to go

in to journalism with the aim of becoming a war reporter in

Africa. She has a passion for art, environmental issues and

skydiving.

melanie SiSSon

newport, ukAfter graduating in History,

Melanie, 21, wants to travel the world and build up her portfolio as a journalist, eventually settling down at a national publication in

London.

JeSSica S. Sall

stockholm, sweden

keagan piSToriuS

cape town, south africaKeagan is 23 and loves the

outdoors and is interested in everything around her. On completing her diploma in

Journalism she would love to pursue a career in the field of

wildlife and travel writing.

Michael is in the final year of his History degree at Cambridge University. He hopes to earn a

career in journalism, preferably as a sports journalists.

michael alhaDeff

London, ukGerhard Jacobs completed

his Journalism qualification at City Varsity, with placements at Provincial Government’s

communication offices and The Cape Argus, where he worked at

the news desk.

gerharD JacoBS

cape town, south africaMyrthe studies Media & Culture

and lives in her beloved city Amsterdam. Her ambition is

to combine her work in media and art. She likes to experience

different cultures and go out with friends.

mYrThe De SmiT

amsterdam, netherlands

After graduating in Communications and writing

for several German newspapers, Franziska fulfils her dream of travelling to foreign countries

outside of Europe. She’ll return to Berlin to do a masters in Literature.

Priyanka is a high school graduate from London, currently

on a gap year. She will be spending this year interning at various magazines, before

beginning a Journalism course at university.

Junichiro studied Business in the USA for a year. He is interested

in entrepreneurship and poverty and he is always thinking of

ways to contribute to society. He loved trying bungee jumping

while in Cape Town.

priYanka mogul

London, uk

Junichiro nakagaWa

kyoto, Japan

franZiSka niXDorf

berlin, germany

Matthew Strachan is currently in his final year at University of Brighton as a Media student.

He hopes to go into a career in journalism sometime in the near

future.

Angelo is a Journalism student and has a passion for dancing.

He considers writing to be like dancing: an expression of

freedom, but with responsibility.

When she leaves Cape Town, Johanna will study Journalism in

Germany. She has enjoyed her experience in South Africa and hopes to return in the summer,

when the weather is better!

maTTheW STrachan

brighton, uk

angelo urgo

Milan, italy

Johanna WeBer

Frankfurt, germanyAdrian,18, lives in Hamburg and has just finished school so now he‘s hunting for the perfect job!

He loves listening to music, playing poker and is interested

in soccer.

aDrian von Schirach

Hamburg, germany

Editor’s Note

Rebecca Hugo-saRacenoeditor

ContentsIssue No. 15 2012

© Cape Chameleon, published by Projects Abroad, South Africa, 2012. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form or by any means—electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise—without prior written permission of Projects Abroad. Views and opinions expressed in Cape Chameleon are not necessarily those of Projects Abroad. The publisher can accept no liability or loss in connection with the contents of the publication. The publisher has made every effort to contact the copyright holder for permission to use images.

As a new year gets underway, it’s often the right time to reflect on what happened in the previous year and what brings us to this

point in history. I don’t think anyone with an eye for news could say that 2011 was uneventful. In fact, last year would surely have felt like one of the most action-packed ever. So for this first issue of Cape

Chameleon, we’ve put together some of the best news stories into one compact magazine. Hence, ‘The Year in Stories’ was born.

We’ve arranged the issue chronologically to give the feel of how the year progressed and how it was punctuated with the drama of the stories. We obviously couldn’t include everything, but selected some of the best, noteworthy stories which hit the press.

Kicking off with the Arab Spring revolution, this event was catalytic in changing the political, social, economic landscape – with social media paving the way for transmitting ideas and information like we’ve never seen before. Natural disasters, such as the Japanese tsunami wreaked havoc, with a death toll of around 15 thousand and 125 thousand buildings destroyed. Then the death of two formidable leaders, Osama Bin Laden and Gaddafi caused global eye-brow raising, with both drawing their final breath in controversial and violent scenarios. The assassination of Bin Laden seemed particularly eerie when you consider that only a few days before, the world had been transfixed by the British royal wedding of William and Kate, conjuring up a sense of beauty and unification (24.5 million viewers in the UK and nearly 23 million in the US). From the dire straits in the Somalia famine, to the shock and horror of the Norway Killer to the final wrist slapping of Julius Malema, you’ll find it all plus more in the following pages. So put the kettle on, grab a comfy chair and take a trip back down the tumultuous year that was 2011.

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EDITOR’S NOTEreflecTion on 2011

NEWS STORIESThe araB Spring

SuDan

naTural DiSaSTerS

BriTain’S verY oWn cinDerella

oSama Bin laDen DieS

phone hacking

fooD criSiS in Somalia

The norWaY killer

amY WinehouSe

homeleSS WorlD cup

Traffic acciDenTS in cape ToWn

Dalai lama’S faileD viSiT To SouTh africa

gaDDafi’S iron rule collapSeS

cape ToWn DeSign capiTal

JuliuS malema

The SecrecY Bill

USEFUL CONTACTSDirecTorY

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Cape Chameleon News Story 1 issue 15 2012

The Arab SpringExPOSING THE POTENTIAL OF SOCIAL MEDIA

Since December 2010 revolution has spread across North Africa and the Middle East – labelled as the ‘Arab Spring’. The protests have also been branded the ‘Facebook/Twitter revolutions’ given the role that social media played in facilitating the organisation, education and galvanisation of participants. We have featured this as part of the ‘Year in Stories’ issue as the events were fundamental in changing history in 2011. By November 2011, governments in three countries had been overthrown.

WorDS Melanie sisson

copY eDiTor Rebecca Hugo-saraceno

a rebel fighter releases balloons with messages like ‘gadaffi, go!’ and ‘thank you France’ from the rooftop of the rebel headquarters.

Social media has risen to prominence in the last few years, with user-generated content becoming ever more popular to those who have had enough of the one-way street that is mainstream media. We no longer simply hear from traditional sources such as journalists, but receive unfiltered information from the people on the ground (citizen journalism). A capacity to document events and facilitate change beyond the mass media and NGOs has been created.

ScepticsStill the usual sceptics question the role of social media in the revolutions, producing arguments that social media can equally facilitate oppression by identifying and locating dissidents as much as it can promote and organise a revolution and that previous revolutions have successfully happened across the globe before the internet was even invented, proving that the willingness of the people is the key component.

Yet, the power of social media should not be underestimated in countries where tight control over mainstream access to information and communication is exercised. It gives a voice to those who are otherwise invisible and it is done differently to other broadcast mediums, as people’s counterweight to gain leverage over global politics is dominated by the government and mass media. The very nature of social media is that it provides a global public space that allows for citizen ‘broadcasting’. This is precisely why social media sites are banned in repressive states such as China.

The purpose of conversationThe reason why social media has become an integral part of the revolutions across the Middle East and North Africa is because conversation is its purpose. Active conversation and the debate on why something is important and the formation of political

Women demonstrate in favour of a no-fly zone in front of the courthouse in benghazi, Libya.

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opinion are possible through social media, motivating people to act, as opposed to just passively reading an article or watching a news report.

Despite this, it is important to realise that social media alone does not cause revolutions. Pre-existing conditions must trigger a need for action, which is then organised, justified and promulgated through social media channels. So it does not cause revolutions, but enables them to happen. Without the ability of activists to pass on shocking news and post images and videos online, protests could easily fade out as so many often do. Online posts create a link between the people suffering in one area of a country to the broader population, uniting the cause. The protests across the Arab world have often had no clear leader, which appears to have been an advantage as they are not as easy to decapitate and therefore disintegrate.

TunisiaTunisia was the first country to revolt, sparking action across the Arab world including Egypt, Bahrain, Syria, Libya, Yemen and Morocco. Perhaps the most publicised conflicts have been those in Tunisia, Egypt and Libya.

Underlying the uprising in Tunisia lay government corruption, inequality, censorship and unemployment. On 17 December, Mohammed Bouazizi set himself on fire in Sidi Bouzid in despair at the unemployment that he was facing. This self-immolation triggered a wave of protests across the country that ousted President Zine el-Abidine Ben Ali on 14 January, who fled to Saudi Arabia and resigned after 23 years in power.

During the protests, more than 3,000 videos were tagged on YouTube with the words ‘Sidi Bouzid’ and thousands of tweets made Tunisia a trending topic. Estimates suggest that the hashtag #sidibouzid tweets were sent out at a rate of about 28,000 per hour between 27 December and 14 January.

EgyptIn Egypt, the causes for protest were similar; torture, poverty, corruption and unemployment. Hosni Mubarak’s 30-year reign was toppled by the protests and he is currently on trial in Cairo.

In imitation of Bouazizi’s self-immolation in Tunisia, a man also set himself on fire on 17 January outside the Egyptian parliament. A protest had been planned for 25 January, which coincided with National Police Day. 26-year-old Asmaa Mahfouz was instrumental in sparking the protests. In a video blog posted two weeks before National Police Day, she urged the Egyptian people to join her on 25 January in Tahrir Square to bring down Mubarak's regime. Mahfouz's use of video blogging and social media went viral and urged people not to be afraid. The Facebook group set up for the event attracted 90,000 attendees.

Internet disruptionAfter the establishment of the Facebook group and Twitter updates throughout the day of protest gave minute-by-minute instructions about where to gather, the government began to shut down internet access throughout the country because the police were being outmanoeuvred. By 28 January, internet and mobile users were reporting major disruption to services as the country was preparing for a new wave of protests.

On 1 February, after sacking his Cabinet, Mubarak announced that he would not run for re-election but still refused to step down until September. As this was the central demand of the protesters, numbers in Cairo remained at around one million, with thousands still in the cities of Suez and Alexandra. Protests became more violent and rumours of fatalities reaching 300 were circulating.

On 5 February, the leadership of Egypt’s ruling National Democratic Party resigned, including Mubarak’s son. The government approved a 15% rise in salaries and pensions in an attempt to appease the angry masses, but it took until 11 February for Mubarak to give the protesters what they wanted, his resignation.

Libya The revolution in Libya was concluded with the killing of the Colonel Muammar Gadaffi, after 42 years of leadership (see page 30–33). A Facebook page set up to organise the ‘17 February Day of Rage’ gathered over 150,000 fans, and the rate of Libyans joining Facebook and Twitter has increased hundredfold. Internet access has always been tightly controlled in Libya, as the late Colonel Muammar Gadaffi’s

son was the chairman of the two state-owned telecom companies that provide mobile and internet services. Although the internet was not ‘shut down’ as it was in Egypt, access was intermittent, with cuts coinciding with pushes to oust rebels and when protests flared up. Internet usage also rose in areas, which are no longer under government control.

The latest technology?The argument that revolutions have happened before without social media can be countered with the argument that perhaps what is important to a revolution is the use of the latest technology. In the Bolshevik Revolution, the telegraphs and the trains that carried Lenin to reach the Finland Station in Petrograd at the right moment were surely instrumental, as was the latest gadget, the guillotine, in the French Revolution. Social media is a relatively new technological phenomenon across the globe and perhaps it will be remembered as the new ‘thing’ that played a crucial role in the Arab protests.

Aftermath As well as aiding the revolutions, social media now has the potential to be instrumental in the future of these countries. It can provide a place for the politically active to debate how to create a new government. The exit of one dictator often means the arrival of another, and citizens need to use all tools at their disposal, including social media, to make sure that this fate is avoided.

UK Riots – a lesson learnt?The UK riots of August 2011 have been nicknamed the Blackberry Riots, due to the use of Blackberry Messenger (BBM) to organise rioting. Prime Minister David Cameron has said that anyone watching the riots would be ‘struck by how they were organised via social media.’ He also revealed that law enforcement was considering ‘whether it would be right to stop people communicating via these websites and services when we know they are plotting violence, disorder and criminality’. Perhaps lessons have been learnt from the developing world about the right to secure communication and privacy required by a society that values free speech as a democratic principle, but also about the future potential of social media as a game changer.

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SudanNEW CHALLENGES FOR OLD CONFLICT

WorDS angelo urgo & gerhard Jacobs

copY eDiTor kelly easton

Fifty years of civil war and unrest has left Sudan in a dire state and many believed that this country would retire to the position of a failed state, as classified by the American think-tank Fund for Peace. The Sudanese people, however, have proven to be much more resilient than expected.

A Sudanese child playing a game that mimics the actions of a UN soldier.

a child supports the referendum for south sudan’s independence.

Photo: Boniface Mwangi, courtesy of Irin News

New beginningsIn January 2011, more than 90% of Southern Sudanese went to the polls and voted in favour of Southern independence from the North. Five months later, on 9 July, the Republic of South Sudan became an independent, southern state. Despite this victory it still bears the scars of the struggle against the north and two rounds of civil war has cost the lives of around two million people. Putting aside the mass exodus of Sudanese people

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has left many people in need of medical assistance and various aid organisations operate in the area in order to alleviate the suffering of the people. One such organisation is Médecins Sans Frontières, also known as MSF or Doctors Without Borders. MSF is an international humanitarian aid organisation that provides emergency medical assistance to populations in more than 60 countries worldwide and has been operating in Sudan since 1979. MSF currently runs 27 projects in Sudan, such as the operations in the Abyei area where they made around 18,534 outpatient visits in 2010 alone; and in Agok where they made around 31,199. The latter also enjoyed paediatric assistance and professional medical practice at the Agok medical centre. Here locals have access to services such as surgery, paediatrics and obstetrics. The centre also boasts a ward dedicated to tuberculosis and child malnutrition. Thousands of Sudanese have MSF to thank for bettering their lives and continuing to do so.

It seems UNAMID and MSF are ardently committed to providing aid in Sudan; and this commitment is now more important than ever, as the challenges of rebuilding and repatriation are as vital for the survival of this infant-state as overcoming the conflict was.

International relationsAs a consequence of five decades of war, Southern Sudan now finds itself separated and to a certain extent isolated from many other countries with regards to diplomatic

from the area, other challenges facing the newest sovereign country in the world include a lack of skills as well as massive infrastructural shortcomings.

Since the formation of the republic many Southern Sudanese have been returning home, but in light of the challenges faced by the new administration – under the leadership of President Salva Kiir Mayardit – they are coming home to a country bereft of the infrastructure and skills development agencies needed to accommodate them.

Foreign aidThere is hope though, in the shape of the United Nation’s Hybrid Operation in Darfur, UNAMID for short. UNAMID has been actively involved with reconstruction efforts within Sudan for years and in light of the progress made perhaps even controversial photographer Kevin Carter would pause for thought. The reconstruction effort has evolved from mere infrastructural development towards providing municipal services and reconnecting previously inaccessible areas like Jebel Marra.

In addition to the framework they are building in order to facilitate economic growth, UNAMID’s presence also facilitates the injection of foreign investment into Sudan. This influx of capital further enables the development of vitally important skills such as English, law and teaching… the focus being on the development and furthering of human rights in the area. As with all global conflicts, the civil war

and commercial relations. The new-born South Sudan, however, with the help of diplomat James Padiet Angok – who created the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation – is working hard in trying to overcome the difficulties posed both by the nation’s violent history as well as the 61 local ethnic groups.

Angok used Brazil, considered a ‘trust partner’, as an example on how to build diplomatic rapport internationally. Why Brazil rather than wealthier nations? Firstly, Brazil is a developing country and as such the gap with Southern Sudan is narrower than many other countries. Some developed countries could also be considered too proud to start peer to peer relationships; and finally, many African countries find Brazil very ‘welcoming’ in general.

The most important motivation, however, was that Brazil was the first nation to establish diplomatic relations with the Republic of South Sudan, just one day after their independence.

Despite decades of conflict and an enormous number of lives lost, South Sudan has managed to cling on to its existence; and this Middle East-African country seems set to keep fighting for its place among the nations of the world. The events of 9 July 2011 afforded the South-Sudanese their second liberation, the first being from Egypt in 1956, and it is this fierce spirit of independence that could very well be the chips in their pocket as mentioned by Capa.

‘Listen, old goat, today doesn’t matter and tomorrow doesn’t matter. It’s the end of the game that counts and how many chips you’ve got in your pocket – if you’re still

playing.’ – Robert Capa (Photo-journalist, 1913–1954)P

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Women enthusiastically carry a flag after secession.

Photo: UN Photo/Marie Frechon

Helmets and jackets of un forces abandoned on the ground.

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Natural DisastersCOSTING THOUSANDS OF LIVES AROUND THE WORLD

According to United Nations International Strategy for Disaster Reduction (UNISDR), natural disasters – including the seasonal floods in Thailand, earthquakes in New Zealand, the drought at the Horn of Africa

WorDS Jessica s. säll


The life-threatening and dangerous natural disasters of 2011 have not only consumed thousands of innocent lives, but are also causing extremely high infrastructure costs to the affected countries. The world blames climate change but geology and soil scientist Bennie Schloms from the University of Stellenbosch, believes that climate change is not to be blamed for hazards becoming disasters. ‘These are natural occurring phenomena, if they would stop happening there is something seriously wrong with our planet. One must learn to distinguish between man-made disasters and naturally occurring events. Linking them to climate change is wrong,’ said Schloms to Cape Chameleon.

and so on – should all rather be referred to as natural hazards. Additionally, depending on the impact on the environment and the society, natural hazards are often followed by ‘natural’ disasters. ‘I don’t like

the word disaster,’ stated Schloms. ‘These phenomena are not disasters, but they sometimes cause disasters. Therefore states should not overcrowd regions exposed to these events.’ This becomes even more


the grímsvötn is the most frequently erupting volcano in iceland. From the 2011 eruption, the ash plume rose to a height of 12km.

the Japanese government have been exercising disaster risk reduction for decades and is estimated to have spent $25 billion on reduction plans.

Photo: Árni Sigurðsson/IMO

Photo: UN Photo/Evan Schneider

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problematic with the world population reaching seven billion and continuously increasing, according to Schloms.

The UNISDR secretariat concluded in the beginning of May 2011 that economic losses related to disasters caused by natural hazards are rapidly increasing internationally. Each year 100 million young people are affected by these disasters, which the UN reported on 13 October 2011 – the same day as the International Day for Disaster Reduction – and thousands of them are being killed and injured in disasters. Cape Chameleon takes a look at four natural hazards that made headlines all around the world in 2011.

European travellers take the boatOn 14 April 2010 the volcano, Eyjafjallajökull’s eruption caught most of Northern European airspace traffic off guard. There were many cancelled flights, unhappy travellers and stakeholders, nevertheless, this kind of volcanic activity in Iceland is neither unusual nor hard to predict, according to the United Nations’ Global Assessment Report on Disaster Risk Reduction 2011 (GAR11). The aeroplane companies were just unprepared for the consequences of an extreme volcanic eruption. In total Eyjafjallajökull is estimated to have caused $521 million in economic losses in the UK alone, according to GAR11 and made European travellers and aeroplane companies believe that this was as bad as it could get. When the volcanic eruption of Grímsvötn in Iceland occurred on 21 May 2011, it was clear that they were all wrong.

On the same day of the Grímsvötn eruption the Icelandic Meteorological Office (IMO) estimated the ash plume to have risen to an altitude of 65,000ft within 3.5 hours, but it continued to rise to a height of 12km. According the IMO, the volcanic activity in Iceland fluctuates and the eruption of Grímsvötn and Eyjafjallajökull demonstrates the beginning of a more intensified period of volcanic activity. Previously, Grímsvötn erupted in November 2004 and should be expected to erupt as often as every 2–7 years. It is the most active volcano in Iceland, according to the IMO. ‘The authorities were not unprepared, this is regularly happening in Iceland when the Eurasian plate and the North American plate is moving away from each other. It creates a line of weakness in the earth’s crust, forcing hot material such as magma to the surface of the crust and volcanoes can form. It is nothing unusual at all,’ said Schloms.

According to Schloms, it is all a matter of plate tectonics, a theory built on the fact that the earth’s crust, together with the upper mantle, is not a rigid layer but constantly moving – a motion commonly referred to as ‘continental drift’ – and consists of several large and smaller tectonic plates. The current within the mantle is responsible for the movement of the tectonic plates. The movement of the plates result in mountain building, oceanic trench formations, earthquakes and volcanic eruptions, Schloms explained. Unfortunately Iceland happens to be located right on top of were the Eurasian plate meet the North American plate.

Leaving preparations devastatedAs with Iceland, Japan is also located on top of two tectonic plates, however these are moving towards each other outside of the Japanese coast, according to Schloms, where ‘the oceanic crust ducks under the continental crust’. Schloms explained that the oceanic crust’s movement under the continental crust is not a smooth continuous movement; the crusts can stay fixed for a long time while pressure builds up. ‘Eventually, from the pressure being so high, the plates are forced to move, which creates earthquakes. And with the sudden movement of the plates, energy is released and water is pushed forward, which forms a tsunami.’

In the aftermath of the 1896 Meiji-Sanriku earthquake and tsunami, the Japanese Government started implementing disaster risk reduction in the Tohoku region, geographically located in the northern parts of Japan. The awareness regarding disaster risk prevention made the Japanese improve their building methods, according to UNISDR. Instead of potentially crumbling in the wake of an earthquake, Japanese buildings were built to be stronger and would sway and slide above the ground when hit by a tsunami. In 2008 Japan had spent an estimated $25 billion on disaster risk reduction plans, according to UNISDR.

Despite carefully planned infrastructural development, disaster risk reduction education in schools and world leading research; the Tohoku earthquake and tsunami on 11 March 2011 that struck the North-Eastern border of the Japanese coastline were devastating (although damage to the country would have been more severe had not these risk reductions been in place). According to the National Police Agency of Japan, there were 15,829 people found dead due to the earthquake and tsunami, 5,943 people were injured and 3,679 are still missing as of 1 November 2011, with the numbers still increasing.

the annual atlantic hurricane season often leaves people’s homes and neighbourhoods intact, but sometimes they landfall, like Hurricane katrina in 2005 (pictured here) and Hurricane irene in 2011.

According to UN reports, 2.4 million people had been affected countrywide by the flood and 700 thousand of these people are estimated to be children.

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Cape Chameleon News Story 3 cont issue 15 2012

the destruction caused by the earthquake and tsunami in Japanese was enormous. by 1 november the national Police agency of Japan reported 5,829 people dead, but the numbers are expected to increase.

Hurricane Irene was described as an unusually large hurricane due to her size of 805km diametre. She is suspected to have caused $7–10 billion in economic losses.

the monsoon season in thailand is causing floods in major parts of the country. More than one-third of thailand was inundated by water.

Drowning Thailand’s education‘The damage is very serious this year and it will be some time before people can resume normal lives,’ said UNISDR chief Margareta Wahlström at the end of September 2011, while the floods in Thailand were still posing a threat to many people. Two-thirds of the country was affected with a suspected 300 dead people. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) referred to the floods in Thailand as the worst the country has experienced in decades.

Even though the GAR11 stated that floods in the East Asian countries are not as lethal as it was 20 years ago, the economic losses caused by floods have increased by more than 160% since then. More specifically, floods account for a significant part of the damage made to public property in Thailand. Additionally, floods are causing people to flee their homes and damaging health and educational institutions.

According to UN reports, 2.4 million people had been affected countrywide by the flood and 700 thousand of these people are estimated to be children. ‘The rising levels of damage to homes and schools because of floods are also alarming and must be addressed in a more systematic manner.’ stated Wahlström by the end of September. By that time more than 635 schools in Thailand were

C40 is a community of cities around the world collaborating to exercise ’meaningful and sustainable climate-related action’ by making changes on a local level which makes it possible to address climate change in a wider context, on a global level.

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world collaborating to exercise ’meaningful and sustainable climate-related action’ by making changes on a local level which makes it possible to address climate change in a wider context, on a global level.

The community acclaims risk reduction as an approach to climate change and for cities to become more resistant to ‘natural occurring events’ turning into disasters. Still the C40 simply implies that the events are becoming more extreme and severe due to climate change, while Schloms also provides an explanation to why the natural events keep reoccurring.

There is disagreement whether hazards are occuring as they would normally or whether climate change is responsible for the increase or if they just pose an effect on them. The existing divided and fragmented view on the impact of climate change seems obvious in this case.

the extensive floods in thailand during 2011 have been called the worst in decades, especially considering the affected children and their education. More than 3,000 schools were damaged and many children were out of school for months.

damaged and the number continued to increase to over 3,000 schools. According to the UNISDR the consequences of children being out of school will lead to a negative impact on the education of thousands.

According to UNISDR, the recurring monsoon seasons are causing floods in most parts of Southern Asia every year. ‘They experience extensive downfalls, 60mm a day during three months is normal,’ said Schloms. The floods in Thailand started off with heavy rainfall in the beginning of July 2011 and ended up lasting for months. The country was hit by a vast flood enveloping in the entire South East Asian continent, which includes countries such as: Cambodia, Vietnam and Pakistan, which had also been severely damaged by floods. By October 2011, an estimated total of eight million people were affected throughout the region and a total of 26 provinces in Thailand – one third of the country – were under water, according to UN situation reports.

Reminding USA of disaster risk reductionThis years ‘worst’ hurricane was not as deadly as Hurricane Katrina (2005), still the UNISDR is calling Hurricane Irene, which struck the eastern coastline on 20 August 2011, a reminder of the fact that extreme weather conditions may pose a threat to the infrastructure of developed countries as well.

Due to the 805km2 size of the hurricane, the National Climatic Data Centre (NCDC) in the USA described Hurricane Irene as an ’unusually large’ hurricane. She was the first hurricane of the 2011 Atlantic hurricane season as well as the first landfalling hurricane on USA soil since 2008, according to the NCDC, and she caused the death of at least 48 people throughout her path and economic losses between $7–10 billion.

Contrary to Bennie Scholms’s opinion (Stellenbosch University), the GAR11 believes that climate change plays a most active role in natural hazards seeming to become more frequent and extreme over time. The report states ‘climate change is gradually altering average temperature, sea level and the timing and amount of precipitation, with potential for more drastic changes if carbon emissions are not successfully limited and reduced. Climate change also contributes to more frequent, severe and unpredictable weather-related hazards such as droughts, tropical cyclones, floods and heat waves.’

The organisation C40 Cities Climate Leadership Group (C40) wrote on 26 August in a blog post related to Hurricane Irene that ‘stronger and more frequent storms are one of the effects of climate change, along with sea-level rise and heat stress’, still they are referring to these events as ‘natural event’, as Schloms does. C40 is a community of cities around the

Photo: Monika Zietek, www.sxc.hu

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Britain’s Very Own Cinderella A DAY OF TRADITION, HISTORY & LOVE...

WorDS Priyanka Mogul


A celebration of true loveIt was a wedding of national importance and ancient traditions, but the promise of romance was what fueled the world’s interest. Whether you were camping out at Hyde Park to catch a glimpse of the newly-wed royal couple or watching the events unfold on television halfway across the world, 29 April 2011 was the day the future of the British Monarchy was presented, a day on which British history was being written.

The entire country shut down on Kate and William’s special day, allowing the people of Britain to spend the day commemorating the becoming of their future King and Queen. Across the country celebratory gatherings were held in parks and pubs. Strangers came together to rejoice the happy occasion, making merry as the royal couple exchanged vows and Kate spoke the words that would transform her from an ordinary girl into a princess. It was the country’s very own Cinderella story.

A new addition to the Royal FamilyBritain has long since been recognised for the Royal Family, with the Queen acting as a national symbol for the country. It is no surprise that a royal wedding such as this one would cause the kind of spark and excitement that it did, with one million people turning out on the streets of London and 24.5 million people watching

the TV coverage in the country. It was a day to be celebrated, a day of national pride and the day a fairytale came true. Unlike previous royal weddings, this one had stemmed from mutual desire, an unwavering love and a story that would bring any romantic to tears. There were no sentiments of an arranged marriage on the basis of duty or diplomatic relations, no burdening expectations and nothing to indicate that Kate was heading towards a future that Diana had once been a part of.

As Kate’s father, Michael Middleton walked her down Westminster Abbey towards her exhilarating future; there was a sense of elegance, grace and composure with which she carried herself. It was as though the pressures of royalty were a distant thought and Kate beamed like an excited schoolgirl as she approached her Prince, showing the guests – and the world – that she would not be wavered.

The future of the British MonarchyThe mixture of antique traditions with a modern touch created an atmosphere that was appreciated by all. The crowds were brought to tears as Kate and William were pronounced man and wife and given their new titles before they left Westminster Abbey in an elegant horse drawn carriage, as previous royal couples had done for generations. However, as William drove his new bride out of Buckingham Palace in an Aston Martin decorated by Prince Harry

with L-plates, balloons and a number plate that read ‘JU5T WED’ [sic], the modernity and down to earth nature of this Royal couple was what brought cheers of appreciation from all around them.

The modern image presented filled the British people with hope that this is where the monarchy would turn over a new leaf and stray from old-fashioned ways and adapt itself to the 21st century. Furthermore, this new side of the monarchy would strengthen its people’s support, allowing British civilians and other Commonwealth country citizens of all generations to appreciate Britain’s heritage.

Opposition strikesHowever, not everyone saw eye to eye on the royal wedding of Prince William and Kate Middleton. There were some who believed that the entire spectacle was just a publicity stunt by the monarchy. Those against the Royal Family being in power threatened to protest outside Westminster Abbey on the day, only to be met with strict regulations by London Police.

Holding off on royal dutiesToday, William and Kate are well settled into the life as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. For William, returning to his RAF job was almost like returning to routine and structure after a leisurely

It was a majestic and magical day, not only for members of the Royal Family, but for the British people who had fallen in love with this fairy tale that was unfolding before their eyes. It wasn’t just any wedding; it was the royal wedding of Prince William to commoner Kate Middleton, the union of two souls in love.

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royal wedding celebrations might have had their reasons and justifications for believing that the monarchy was an undemocratic route to attaining power, however, this didn’t stop the millions of people worldwide from joining in and becoming a part of this fairytale love story. All may not agree on the existence of a Royal Family, but on that beautiful spring day in 2011 the streets of London were filled with an air of excitement, hope and unity. It’s days like these when the people of a nation come together despite all their differences and the nation shines in all its glory – and this is how Britain shone that day.

holiday. However, Kate has had to adapt to the huge changes that have been thrown her way with the endowment of the title of a member of the British Royal Family. Although the couple has not yet been absorbed into royal duties, they have kept themselves busy with other doings, saying they don’t want to think about their royal future anytime soon. In October 2011, the couple opened a children’s cancer treatment centre in South London.

Britain shines on a beautiful spring day The small fraction of people against the

It was a wedding of national importance and cultural traditions, but the promise of romance was what fuelled the world’s interest.

it is no surprise that a royal wedding such as this one would cause the kind of spark and excitement that it did, with one million people turning out on the streets of London and 24.5 million people watching the tV coverage in the country.

Furthermore, this new side of the monarchy would strengthen its people’s support, allowing British civilians and other Commonwealth country citizens of all generations to appreciate Britain’s heritage.

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Osama Bin Laden DiesTHE CHOREOGRAPHER OF 9/11

Early lifeAccording to sources, Osama Bin Mohammed Bin Awad din Laden was born on 10 March 1957 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. Osama’s father was a building tycoon, worth millions and was involved in many major building projects in Saudi Arabia, such as extensions to Mecca. Osama was never particularly close to his strict, orthodox father. Osama’s parents divorced and at the age of 11, tragedy struck as Osama’s father Mohammed was killed in a plane crash in September 1967. In the wake of his father’s death, Bin Laden inherited around $80 million.

Osama’s teenage years would follow the same principles that his father instilled in him, discipline and hard work. Osama was seen as an incredibly promising student at the Al Thagher School. At this age he could memorise the entire Koran, but it was also around this age that Osama became interested in the principles of extremist Jihad. His teacher at the time began leading Osama towards the

harder practices of Islamic law. He was inaugurated into an extremist sector group known simply as ‘The Brotherhood’. Within this group, pupils were taught about the importance of force and the fact that actions speak louder than words, especially if you want to make an impact on matters. The group was taught parables and stories, most of the time with violent outcomes and in sighting the positives of force and violence. It was during this period of his life when Bin Laden began to grow into the man he would become. He transformed from a normal looking, happy teenager to an orthodox and disciplined follower of a violent and ruthless cause.

After his first marriage to his first cousin, Osama progressed to King Abdul Aziz University at 18 years old to participate in a Civil Engineering degree in line with his father’s legacy. But, as Osama was finishing his degree, the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979. This inspired Osama to put his knowledge and tuition from the ‘The Brotherhood’ to use. Bin Laden joined

WorDS Matthew strachan


11 September 2001 is a day that has been engrained into the memory of many people. The horrifying sight of two hijacked planes cutting through a clear New York City skyline and hurling themselves into the World Trade Centre will never be forgotten. The immediate question was who was responsible for these atrocities, the worst attack on Americans since Pearl Harbour. It soon became apparent that the responsibility lay with Al-Qaeda, a Sunni-Islamist terrorist organisation devoted to a global Jihad on all infidels. One man choreographed the attacks and instilled his philosophies into his devoted followers – the founder of Al-Qaeda, Osama Bin Laden.

the Afghan resistance, as he saw it as his calling to fight the wave of Soviet attacks. It was here he began training with a mujahedeen, which were ironically funded by the USA, but Osama soon became disillusioned and frustrated by what he saw as a corrupt Saudi government, along with the then occupation of the USA in the Persian Gulf. Bin Laden had been welcomed back as a hero, but he was now becoming a nuisance to the government. The Saudi government was in Bin Laden’s eyes over reliant on the USA as well as this; the presence of the USA was an outrage as they defiled sacred soil. Bin Laden was banished from Saudi Arabia and was exiled to Sudan in 1992.

This exile would mark another major turning point for Bin Laden, the formation of an extreme organisation Al-Qaeda, translated as ‘The Base’ in Arabic. Former friends and allies that he had made whilst fighting the Soviets in the 80s joined him, to make a task force destined to impose jihad. The group would be completely

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devoted to Osama Bin Laden’s ideals, practices and philosophy. This jihad and mission was aimed at the injustices caused by world governments imposed on the Islamic world and in turn uniting the whole Islamic world to rise up against the west. Osama’s radical ideals became apparent to the Sudanese government, so in 1996 he moved to Afghanistan.

Because of Bin Laden’s seemingly unlimited financial resources, Al-Qaeda began to initiate attacks – attacks on USA embassies in Kenya as well as a first attack on the World Trade Centre, which would eventually lead to the devastating day that was 11 September 2001.

Death of Bin LadenOsama Bin Laden went straight to the top of the FBI’s most wanted list and 9/11 became a turning point and the start of a war. Osama evaded capture for 13 years, until 2 May 2011. USA President Barack Obama made an announcement of the death of the Al-Qaeda leader. Obama

After the fire fight, the seized compound room Bin Laden had occupied for the last five years was described as a ‘treasure trove’ of information on Al-Qaeda’s plans and networks.

declared to the world, ‘Good evening. Tonight, I can report to the American people and to the world that the United States has conducted an operation that killed Osama Bin Laden, the leader of Al-Qaeda, and a terrorist who’s responsible for the murder of thousands of innocent men, women, and children.’

USA Intelligence had become suspicious of a complex in Abbottabad, Pakistan, which was regularly visited by one of Osama Bin Laden’s trusted couriers, whom had been tracked for many years. This complex was hardly inconspicuous, which was surprising as many had expected Bin Laden to be in a cave or hiding along the borders of Afghanistan or Pakistan. Trash from the complex was regularly burnt and despite being an expensive house, it possessed no telephone wires or internet access. Some even valued the complex at around $1million. But, the fact of the matter was he was hiding right under the noses of the Pakistani government in a military town, for at least five years. This, apparently,

was not unusual behaviour of a wanted man as many other high ranking Al-Qaeda members rather than hide in mountain ranges or caves would blend into a community in secret.

23 Navy Seals, specially trained for close quarter combat in a swift and efficient way, conducted the operation itself. After months of planning, the operation took place on 2 May at 00:30 Pakistani local time. Two Black Hawk helicopters set down at the compound, with one encountering a bad landing with its tail blade becoming snared in the barbwire fencing. The assault team on board had to blow up the compound wall to gain access, where they encountered gunfire. The team then progressed up the stairs to find Osama Bin Laden’s son Khalid, who was killed on sight. They then moved to the top floor where in a room, apparently using one of his wives as a human shield, was the man they were looking for. Two other women were also trying to protect him, but the soldiers pushed them away. One of Bin

bin Laden was the orchestrator

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barack obama shows clear signs of strain as he watches the operation from his White House situation room.

Laden’s other wives was then shot in the leg, whilst the unarmed Bin Laden was shot in the head. Obama was told over the communications system the coded word that he had wanted to hear, ‘Geronimo E.K.I.A’. Geronimo, being Bin Laden’s code name and E.K.I.A standing for (Enemy Killed in Action).

After the fire fight, the seized compound room Bin Laden had occupied for the last five years was described as a ‘treasure trove’ of information on Al-Qaeda’s plans and networks. Computers and various archives as well as the body of Osama Bin Laden were loaded onto the helicopters. The whole process took around 40 minutes, with President Obama being able to view the entire operation in real time video from his White House situation room. Obama described these 40 minutes as the longest of his life, with the exception of being told about his daughter’s meningitis, at the age of three. The likelihood that Bin Laden would actually be there was described as around 55% to 45% in favour of Osama Bin Laden actually being there when the team struck. Senior Adviser to Homeland Security, John Brennan said that in the situation watching the action unfold, ‘minutes passed like days’.

As with Islamic tradition Osama Bin Laden’s body was buried within 24 hours of his death. He was wrapped in blankets and thrown into the sea off a USA Navy vessel. After Barack Obama’s televised address to the world, it was greeted by jubilant scenes of celebration in Washington with crowds chanting and dancing. But, despite this achievement for the USA and its allies, there were still a lot of questions. As well as the sobering realisation that this wasn’t the end and that the repercussions and reprisal attacks from Al-Qaeda heir Ayman al-Zawahiri could be expected.

The aftermathThe initial question swirling around the international news stations was, how did the Pakistani government and its intelligence not know that the most wanted man in the world was living in a complex in a military town? Or did the Pakistani government know he was there and Bin Laden had developed an understanding with them to be a ‘guest’. If the latter is true, then the Pakistani government have shown a real duplicity to the USA and broken a lot of trust. The Pakistani government is very reliant on USA financial support, especially as the country is still feeling the terrible affects of earthquakes around a year ago. Many believe that these financial aids should now

be withdrawn, as a penalty for this made by the Pakistanis. But this partnership in the bigger picture has been a fruitful one, with Pakistan being the most successful country for the Americans when capturing or killing high level terrorists.

Many locals living in Abbottabad had been immensely surprised that such a wanted man was living within their midst. How much the Pakistani government knew is up for debate. The potential though for future fall outs and further suspicion in between Pakistan and the USA in the future is obvious. Former Pakistani diplomat Akbar Ahmed believes that the chances of the Pakistani intelligence not knowing he was there, was close to impossible. ‘No, the Pakistani intelligence service is a very influential organisation, huge organisation it has networks all throughout Pakistan. Its capacity to be alert and alert of what’s going on in the field is very impressive so the chances the PSI got caught sleeping with Osama Bin Laden himself the most wanted man in the world living there… is inconceivable.’

The other question is will Bin Laden posthumously haunt the USA and its allies? The new leader Ayman al-Zawahiri has already in the wake of Bin Laden’s death, issued the warning of reprisal attacks.

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organistion of Al-Qaeda as behind the schedule and even dated, with Osama Bin Laden seen as a relic of more ancient extremist beliefs. The uprising in Egypt was very diplomatic and showed signs and even a potential for more democratic processes rather than bloodshed. If anything the way the Arab Spring was conducted, Osama Bin Laden would perhaps be looking on with a mixture of excitement and disappointment. These uprisings could have seen more opportunities to spread radical ideals and the disappointment that overall the new Arab uprising had rejected his philosophy.

The fact that Osama Bin Laden has been assassinated does not end the potential for future attacks. His legacy is long standing and his philosophy is engrained into many passionate and radical Muslims, who would love to become a martyr for the cause. There is no doubt that the death of Bin Laden is a huge blow and Al-Qaeda has been rocked. But Osama Bin Laden has turned Al-Qaeda into a very operational and organised unit with training camps and strong financial backing. Another issue is sleeper cells, Al-Qaeda members living in European countries or in the USA, which have previously travelled to Al-Qaeda training camps and then returning back.

Al-Qaeda is still a strong network, despite Bin Laden’s demise. In Pakistan there are

osama bin Laden watches himself on tV from inside his complex in Pakistan, he appears old and dishevelled.

osama bin Laden’s hideout in abbottabad, Pakistan where he is believed to have resided for around five years.

core leadership bases and many training camps. In Mali, Algeria and Niger, there is an affiliate group, which is involved in kidnapping and ransom as well as another similar one in Yemen. In Britain, there are small groups, which are closely linked to its bases in the Middle East and North Africa. In terms of infrastructure, Al-Qaeda is safe. But the impact in terms of moral is more significant. Osama Bin Laden was seen as a spiritual leader and was even referred to as ‘Sheik’ which is only usually a name given to someone considered divine to a group in Islamic tradition.

Al-Qaeda though has not played much of a part in the ‘Arab Spring’ in Egypt, Yemen, Tunisia, Syria and Libya. Many contemporary Arabs have seen the

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Early morning, 10 July 2011 the News of the World was published for the last time. ‘We are sorry. The News of the World was in the business of holding others to account. It failed when it came to itself,’ wrote owner Rupert Murdoch in an apology to the public a couple of days later. The newspaper itself had been published since 1842. Still the closure of the newspaper seemed inevitable due to the revelations of years of misconduct by certain journalists.

Phone Hacking

WHEN THE MEDIA BECOMES CORRUPT

The News of the World (NOTW) paper shocked the media society and the whole world with its extensive record of phone hacking activities, which without a doubt became the controversy of the year. According to Prof de Beer, from the journalism department of Stellenbosch University, the norms of journalism have changed, as newspapers are facing more and more pressured by circulation figures. Prof De Beer pointed to the difficulty in balancing ethical manner and economic pressure in today’s media environment, as a reason why several journalists overstepped the line. ‘The sense of seriousness that existed back then, the sense of importance, the sense of doing the right thing, I think that has changed. There is a different breed of journalists today.’

Elements of the UK scandalInvestigations of the possibility of phone hacking being used as a working method by NOTW first started in 2005 and were concluded in 2007 with the belief that the phone hacking activities were limited to members of the Royal Family, politicians and celebrities. According to The New York Times, the Royal Family started to notice strange stories appearing in the newspaper at the end of 2005. The published information was only known by close family. So suspicion of eavesdropping arose and in the beginning of 2006, Scotland Yard confirmed that phone hacking by the newspaper had occurred.

On 26 January 2011, MPs in the UK received new information from News International concerning the allegations of phone

hacking made by NOTW in 2005. This led to the launching of a new investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service. News International Ltd is the publishing division in the UK of News Corporation (News Corp) which is globally one of the biggest multimedia conglomerates, owned by chairperson, CEO and also founder of the company, Rupert Murdoch.

In July 2011 it was revealed that the phone hacking activities were far more extensive than first imagined – top executives at News International, the police and even the Prime Minister David Cameron came under scrutiny. As it came to light that people affected by the 7/7 underground bombing had possibly had phones hacked, former chief executive at News International Rebekah Brooks denied all knowledge of phone hacking activities while she was editor at NOTW, the Telegraph reported. Additionally former editor and formerly David Cameron’s director of communications Andy Coulson was arrested on 8 July for his suspected involvement in the controversy, The Guardian reported.

The scandal did not cease with the closure of the newspaper, but kept on escalating and spread like a virus overseas where the FBI a couple of days later decided to look into whether News Corp had been phone hacking victims of the 9/11 terror attack, reported BBC News. At the same time several members of US Congress called for investigations being made if there had been violations to the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, which punishes USA-based companies that engage in bribery abroad, The Guardian reported.

WorDS Jessica s. säll


Media mogul Rupert Murdoch is blamed for the misconduct of the news of the World journalists. the founder and owner of news corporation is not considered to be an ethical role model for journalists.

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As Guardian reporter Madeleine Bunting wrote, it ultimately became a question of ethics: ‘The hacking scandal is subtly but powerfully reframed not just as an abuse of power but as something even more fundamental, more basic: an outrage to human decency.’

Scotland Yard launched ’Operation Weeting’ which led to the discovery of 11,000 pages of material containing the names of almost 4,000 people suspected to have had their phones hacked, The Guardian reported. On 15 July The New York Times reported that the same day Murdoch issued the public apology to the victims of the phone hacking, he also visited the family of 13-year-old Milly Dowler, who was abducted and murdered in 2002, to apologise that her voicemail account was unlawfully accessed.

How did it come to this?Looking at the bigger picture of what could have led journalists to pursue news stories in this manner, Prof de Beer points to a composition of factors that collaborated in the downfall of the newspaper. ‘Many things could have gone wrong. It could have been the kind of people who worked there as journalists, it could have been the editors appointed by Murdoch and his son, the pressure on them to perform, and also it could have been the problematic situation in performing in the present economic climate and then Murdoch himself.’ According to Prof de Beer, Murdoch is not known for being the world’s biggest proponent of good journalism ethics. He is more of a businessman than a newspaperman and his priority has been selling newspapers without worrying too much about content.

Prof Anton Harber (from the University of the Witwatersrand) tends to agree. ‘These are glorious days for journalism. We celebrate the end of the Rupert Murdoch era, in which he systematically degraded what we do,’ he wrote on his blog ‘The Harbinger’, 15 July. He went on to say that Murdoch used his influence and power over the media society in a corrupt manner, not only by allowing illegal activities at his newspaper, but also by putting a shadow over all journalists and the profession itself.

How to reclaim trustProf de Beer put emphasis on the fact that the past times have changed the world, and journalism with it. The ‘serious journalism’ as seen back in time, during the Watergate scandal-time, is today an entirely changed concept. Back then there wasn’t much celebrity news, blogs, internet or tabloids. Bloggers being called journalists changes the entire sense of responsibility, according to Prof de Beer. ‘When I was young journalist were in the bottom raking of professions and people would look down on journalists especially in America, but even so, people who were going into journalism did it for what was called in those days, a calling. Like for a pastor or for a priest.’

The tricky question how journalists can reclaim their credibility still remains. Prof de Beer pointed out by setting a good example, newspapers can change the way the public interprets journalists. ‘For example with the Wikileaks-story, The Guardian dealt with that story very upfront with all the precautions they had taken.’

The phone hacking activities portrayed journalism as being a ruthless and unethical profession, but it also showed the public that there is a good side of media as well, according to Prof Anton Harber who praised The Guardian and its investigative journalists for being a part in revealing the scandal. ‘We have all been shocked by the worst of British tabloid journalism, as represented by Murdoch’s minions, but we should also be impressed by the display of quality newspapering, of great journalism that stepped in when other institutions failed. It is one of the ironies of British media that it produces some of the worst and some of the best journalism.’

The possibility for a South African newspaper to impose the same type of working methods as seen with NOTW would be most unlikely, according to Prof de Beer. Looking at the opposite side of the spectrum the South African press freedom is endangered due to the controversial, so-called ‘Secrecy Bill’ being passed by the National Assembly. Despite enormous criticism around the country, the ANC government backed the bill to become

law, which many believe will enable the government to cover up corruption. ‘South African media is very well aware of that they’re in a very clutching period right now in our country’s history and it would be very unwise for any newspaper to start hacking activities.’ The Protection of Information Bill is still to be debated in the National Council of Provinces, and if passed will most likely be brought to the Supreme Court of Appeal.

In the UK, the government has introduced new regulations to prevent this kind of misconduct in the future. David Cameron has also launched a two-part public inquiry led by chairperson Lord Justice Brian Henry Leveson. Part one of the ongoing Leveson inquiry is set to examine the culture, practices, and ethics of the British press and part two will investigate the unlawful behaviour conducted by NOTW and other media organisations as well as the police bribery affair. Among the 51 witnesses summoned to testify in the inquiry as of November 2011 were Sienna Miller, JK Rowling, Ian Hurst, Hugh Grant and Charlotte Church.

Bob and Sally Dowler, parents to kidnapped and murdered schoolgirl Milly Dowler, told the inquiry on 22 November that the deletion of messages on their daughter’s voicemail gave them hope that she was still alive, The Guardian reported. But Milly Dowler was already dead and the messages was in fact deleted by a NOTW reporter. ’It clicked through on to her voicemail so I heard her voice and [said] ‘she’s picked up her voicemail Bob, she’s alive,’ Sally Dowler told the High Court. By the end of the Leveson inquiry recommendations will be made on how to more effectively regulate the press in its future relation with the politicians and the police.

As the stories of the witnesses in the Leveson inquiry continued to reveal how the NOTW treated their private lives with the outmost disrespect, Stylist Magazine editorial director Phil Hilton wrote in The Times ’I’m not immune to the odd fascination we all have with the famous – but Leveson has exposed the ugliness of our national addiction and, I suspect, ended an era.’

Murdoch used his influence and power over the media society in a corrupt manner, not only by allowing illegal activities at his newspaper, but also by putting a shadow

over all journalists and the profession itself.

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In Somalia the drought has been going on for almost two years and has killed 90% of farm animals in the country. This caused a lack of food and income supplies

for Somalis and has therefore lead to food inflation. Climate scientist Mojib Latif (from Kiel in north Germany) claimed in a German newspaper that the drought was


Food Crisis in Somalia

IS IT TOO LATE TO HOPE FOR HELP?

According to the UN, a hunger crisis can be classified as a famine catastrophe if over 30% of children in an area are suffering from malnutrition, either two adults or four children per ten thousand people die of hunger each day and if the population has access to fewer than 2,100kcal of food per day.

Therefore, Southern Bakool and Lower Shabelle were the first regions in South Somalia to be officially declared as famine zones around 20 July 2011 and now an additional four areas, such as the Bay region that is suffering a similar famine.

Thousands of Somalis, mostly women who carried their babies on their shoulders, struggled to cross the borders of Kenya, hoping to reach the Dadaab Refugee Camp along the Kenyan-Somalian border, even though this is where many people will draw their last breath. Reportedly over half of the victims so far have been children.

With so much suffering, it is no wonder the UN describes the famine as a ‘human tragedy of unimaginable proportions’.

Why Somalia?There is not only one factor, but indeed a series of circumstances that cause such a catastrophe.

WorDS Johanna Weber


After the worst drought in 60 years hit Eastern Africa, which includes Somalia, Kenya, Ethiopia and Dschibuti, thousands of people died of malnutrition. According to the United Nations (UN) Food Security and Nutrition Analysis Unit (FSNAU), out of 12 million people in Eastern Africa four million Somalis were affected by the hunger crisis. The UN has warned that this is just the beginning and famine will spread if donations of food and other necessary requirements decrease.

a somali mother with her malnourished children at the Dadaab refugee camp in north-eastern kenya in June 2011.

What’s more is that Al-Shabaab banned the UN World Food Programme (WFP) from entering the country at all in 2009 and the clans also prevented famine victims from fleeing their region, as that would hand power over to the western agencies.

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predicted a year ago, yet international agencies have reacted too late.On top of that, there has been a lack of investment in social services and basic infrastructure. Heribert Scharrenbroich, the chairman of the aid organisation Care, criticised that only about 60% of the $2.5 billion, which was required from the UN, have been agreed so far.

In fact not only international donors, but also Somalia’s government has failed to prevent the country’s increasing poverty and have failed to act against the hunger crisis on time. The UN humanitarian coordinator for Somalia, Mark Bowden described the situation as follows, ‘Every day of delay in assistance is literally a matter of life or death.’

Pure propagandaFor the last 20 years or so, Somalia has been affected by civil war and, after the fall of the Siad Barre regime in 1991, radical clans have gained power over the country. The Somali government, established in 2009, is backed by troops from the African Union (AU) and by many Western countries.

The Islamist Al-Shabaab Militia in Somalia, which was formed 2006 as a radical offshoot of the Union of Islamic Court, is affiliated to Al-Qaeda. They rule over the most southern and central parts of Somalia. In these areas, especially in the south, famine hits the hardest. One of the reasons for this is that Al-Shabaab refused aid agencies to enter their regions, by raising the taxes that needed to be paid by these agencies in order for them to pass through and deliver their resources. What’s more is that Al-Shabaab banned the UN World Food Programme (WFP) from entering the country at all in 2009 and the clans also prevented famine

Federal government soldiers in the capital of somalia, Mogadishu. a man with his dead cow, in north-eastern kenya, where the drought hit many farmers and forced them to flee their home.

victims from fleeing their region, as that would hand power over to the western agencies. Due to the lack of security in these regions and the killings of agency workers in Somalia in the past few years, South Somalia is left with more misery and little help to deal with these problems.

In July 2011, the BBC quoted speakers of Al-Shabaab accusing the UN’s reports on the famine in Somalia as ‘pure propaganda’ and they were operating politically and not on a neutral basis.

Even under the difficult circumstances many of Al-Shabaab’s clans have departed from Somali’s capital, Mogadishu. According to Irin News, President Abdiweli Mohamed Ali allegedly assured the aid agencies that 95% of his city is now free from Al-Shabaab clans. However, for many organisations the question whether or not Al-Shabaab will unite with aid agencies to support these starving Somali’s in their regions remains unanswered.

A glimpse of hope Doctors Without Borders, also known as Medicines Sans Frontiers (MSF), is the biggest humanitarian organisation in the world and have projects in over 65 countries, including Somalia since 1991. More than 1,400 members of staff provide free basic medical care in ten locations in over eight regions of Somalia. Their free medical care includes surgery, treatment for malnutrition and support through a supply of water and relief goods for many Somali refugees in Kenya at Dagahaley and IFO camps and in Ethiopia. MSF remain completely independent and do not accept any funding from governments or public

institutions, thus its funding comes from private donors only. According to MSF, it is false that natural causes are to blame for the famine; as the spreading of the food crisis was due to a lack in funds and the transportation problem of shipping enough food to the affected countries. In fact, BBC News stated in January 2012 that ‘Somalia has become one of the world’s most dangerous places for aid workers to operate’. They went on to report that ‘two major medical centres run by MSF in the Somali capital have closed‘ due to a bomb in a Mogadishu refugee camp that killed ‘two MSF workers, a Belgian administrator and Indonesian doctor, last month [December 2011]‘.

These were two of the caring aid workers who treat thousands of malnourished children in the affected regions in the horn of Africa and the shutdown of the medical centres will definitely have a negative impact on the sick Somalis, desperately seeking famine relief. However, MSF have already treated 12,000 malnourished children in Somalia, of whom a large number are younger than five years old. Additionally, after recent outbreaks of diseases, 1200 patients were treated for diarrhoea, a further 861 Somalis were treated for measles and up to 67,200 children were vaccinated against measles.

Sadly so many Somalia families have experienced the consequences of conflicts and droughts for years and MSF plead with all nations to help Somalia, because even a few rand could save many lives. As Ghandi once said, ‘Be the change you wish to see in the world.’

Photo: Kate Holt, Irin News Photo: Jaspreet Kindra, Irin News

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The Norway KillerNEO-NAzI MASSACRES 77 PEOPLE

WorDS Franziska nixdorf

copY eDiTorS Rebecca Hugo-saraceno

Breivik was 32 years old when he implemented his almost ten-year-old plan to attack not only the government building, where the Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg was located, but also a youth camp 40km away from the capital. According to The Telegraph, Breivik used two cars to realise these plans. The first car was a Volkswagen Crafter van, in which he carried the half-ton bomb that was set off at the government headquarters in Oslo. Subsequently, the murderer took a Fiat Doble minivan to reach the ferry boat taking him to the summer camp on Utoeya Island. There, Breivik dressed up as a policeman to make the camp attendees feel at elusive ease and claimed he came to do research

On 22 July 2011 the Norwegian extremist, Anders Behring Breivik detonated a bomb in the centre of Oslo in front of a government building killing eight people, before driving to the summer camp organised by the Labour Party on Utoeya Island murdering 69 camp attendees in a killing spree. Therewith, he aimed to attack Norway’s current government that supports the idea of multiculturalism and called himself a ‘saviour’ aiming at protecting Europe from Marxist and Muslim colonisation. Cape Chameleon focuses on the details of the attacks carried out by one man as well as on his potential psychological background.

on the bomb blasts in Oslo. However, according to BBC News he was armed with a handgun, an automatic weapon as well as a shotgun and ultimately started shooting; first the people on the island, then the ones who jumped into the water in an atempt to escape. More than an hour later, a SWAT team reached the island and Breivik surrendered putting up no resistance.

The German magazine Spiegel reported online that Breivik allegedly filmed his cruel act. Several witnesses indicated to have seen the murderer carrying a camera, which the investigators did not find until now.

The man behind the massacreThese brutal actions of a man who, until that day, had neither a criminal record, nor was he in any other way known to the police or fellow men as a violent person shocked the world. Only after his arrest, the public became acquainted with details about the Breivik. The man was born as the son of a diplomat in London on 13 February 1979 and eventually grew up in Oslo. It is said that Breivik’s parents divorced when he was a year old and when he was a teenager he completely cut off all contact with his father.

Among other media, BBC News reported on Breivik’s school career visiting the Oslo School of Management and, afterwards, setting up a farm, which was called ‘Geofarm’ and enabled him to have access to fertiliser he used for building the bomb. A farm supply firm had confirmed selling six tonnes of fertiliser to the 32-year-old neo-Nazi.

Additionally, Breivik became a member of a gun-club and even legally possessed fire-arms at home, according to the news agency Reuters. Breivik was also a member of the Norwegian Progress Party, an anti-immigration party, from 2004–2006 and had been an attendee in the Progress Party’s youth programme from

breivik detonated a bomb in the centre of oslo in front of a government building, killing eight people before driving to the summer

camp organised by the Labour Party on utoeya island murdering 69 camp attendees in a killing spree.

Photos: Boris Helmig, Wikimedia Commons

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withdraw some of the police squads positioned in Norway’s capital. According to the German magazine Spiegel the Norwegian police admitted to using a longer way to the island than necessary. Due to an engine failure on one of the first police boats available, officers who were stationed further away (3.6km) from the island were then assigned the task of getting to the youth camp.

Similar casesThe rapid spread of the news about the Norwegian twin attack throughout the world media illustrated the depth of sympathy and horror. However, the case of the Breivik is not the only example of a single man’s atrocity. On 13 March 1996 the 43-year-old Thomas Watt Hamilton went on a three-minute shooting spree at the Scottish Dunblane Primary School, killing 16 five- and six-year-old children and their teacher. The murderer, who eventually committed suicide, was known to be an unemployed former shopkeeper and Scout leader suspected of having had paedophilic interest in boys.

A more current case happened on 16 April 2007, when Cho Seung-Hui, an American of South Korean heritage, turned into a mass murderer and caused the worst massacre on a university campus in the history of the USA. This event became known as the Virginia Tech Massacre, in which the 23-year-old shot 32 students and teaching staff as well as himself. His motives can still only be speculated about.

What is obvious about all these cases, among many others, is that usually men are the perpetrators. ‘The reason is simply this: The roles for women and men are so dramatically separate, so that it is very difficult to draw women into this kind of warrior role. Men fit this,’ concluded psychologist Foster. ‘The issue of the Norwegian case [as well as other examples mentioned] underlines again to us that the construction of masculinity is the most important matter to examine.’

1997–2006/07. Furthermore, in its release Reuters describes Breivik’s internet activity by saying he commented on the Islam-critic website called ‘document.no’ from 2009–2010 on European policies. His major focus lay on the government’s accommodation of different ethnic cultures, which he as an opponent of the spread of Islam and multiculturalism criticised.

‘Some say he was talking about Marxist and multi-cultural ideas. This is the most crazy, mixed up, intellectual mélange of nonsense, but in his mind this makes sense… He has run together a whole lot of vaguely, loose, leftist ideas and he sees this as threat,’ commented the psychologist at the University of Cape Town, Professor Don Foster, on the Norwegian case in an interview with Cape Chameleon.

The ManifestoThe major evidence for Breivik’s xenophobic world view is provided by the 1,518-page manifesto the murderer himself wrote in English and published online shortly before starting the twin massacre. It is a kind of diary giving details about the preparation phases for his attacks. This manifesto ‘2083: A European Declaration of Independence’ begins with an entry for April 2002 in which Breivik claims to act in the name of the so called ‘Knights Templar’. These military monastic orders which took part in the Crusades during the 12th–14th century are said to be an inspiration to neo-Nazi Breivik. Furthermore, he describes in great detail the process of building up his personal fitness, of raising funds for his venture and finding access to weaponry and explosive material as well as of undergoing pistol training. In addition, the manifesto contains pictures he took of himself dressed in uniform and armed.

‘One of the things about the Norwegian killer is that in all of these photographs he had himself in uniform. Now what is that telling you? It is invoking somewhere in his fantasy mind the notion of uniforms, of grandeur. It often works on people that are somewhat vulnerable,’ explained psychologist Professor Don Foster. These people, particularly men, struggle for power and ‘slip into the fantasy world as the protector of the nation.’

But besides this vulnerability, mass murderers such as Breivik also show other significant character traits. ‘One of the most extreme things that fuels

violence is to take paranoia into a theory of conspiracy,’ said Foster. ‘The more you start thinking in conspiracy theory, the more that fuels paranoia, the more you are paranoid, the more you are likely to hold extremist belief, the more you have extremist belief, the more likely you arm yourself and believe you are the protector. So it is a chain of thinking.’

Up to date, according The Independent, ‘Mass killer Andres Breivik will be sent to a psychiatric hospital and not prison after doctors decided he was insane when he murdered 77 people in a bomb and shooting…’ Subsequently in January 2012, BBC News reported that further experts contradicted the appointed court psychiatrists, as they believed Breivik was not psychotic. ‘According to the report submitted by the Public Prosecutor, Svein Holden, they do not believe Breivik is psychotic or schizophrenic and do not think he needs drugs,‘ stated BBC News.

This of course goes hand in hand with what Foster later explained, ‘The majority of those who commit extreme crimes of violence are not mad. Some, however, are. And where we draw the line of madness is very tricky to say’.

Although the mass murderer confessed to the attacks and he pleaded not guilty to terrorism counts. His lawyer suggests he should never again be set free and with his trial scheduled for 16 April 2012 ‘a guilty verdict would see him placed in psychiatric care rather than in prison’, reported BBC News.

Police criticisedCritically discussed was the response of the police on the day of the two attacks, especially the time it took them to reach Utoeya Island and arrest the killer. Although they claimed in a press conference to have sent cars immediately to the island after being alarmed, it still took them about one and a half hour to get to the place of massacre. Some even say the police were overextended by the bombing attack in Oslo and could hardly

His lawyer suggests he should never again be set free and with his trial scheduled for 16 April 2012 ‘a guilty

verdict would see him placed in psychiatric care rather than in prison’, reported BBC News.

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Amy WinehouseTHE NEWEST MEMBER OF THE 27 CLUB

WorDS Michael alhadeff


The death of the soul diva quickly drew a worldwide response. The star was known around the world with pictures splashed across the press following the announcement. In the UK, tributes were led by her father, Mitch Winehouse, at the funeral as the pair were documented to have a very close relationship. Mitch delivered loving praise of his daughter. He also highlighted his daughter’s most recent attempts in the road to recovery after years of battling with her addictions, saying ‘three years ago, Amy conquered her drug dependency. The doctors said it was impossible, but she really did it. She was trying hard to deal with her drinking and had just completed three weeks of abstinence.’ The mourning father has plans to establish a drug rehabilitation centre for young people in his daughter’s name.

TributesMany of the tributes, however, wished to focus rather on the talented musician’s colourful personality. In speaking to the BBC, musician Mark Ronson revealed the amount Winehouse meant to him, expressing, ‘she was my musical soul mate and like a sister to me. This is one of the saddest days of my life.’ These sentiments were echoed by celebrity Kelly Osbourne who tweeted, ‘I can’t even breath right now I’m crying so hard I just lost one of my best friends. I love you forever Amy and will never forget the real you!’

The outpour of tributes weren’t just limited to celebrity circles, as many fans congregated outside her London home to lay flowers and messages of condolences. The level of support translated into the music charts with five of Winehouse’s singles surging back into the Top40. Meanwhile, her second album, Back to Black, became the biggest selling record of the 21st century selling around five million copies. Indeed, support registered here in the Mother City with most record stores running out of her record. At the V&A Waterfront, Musica Megastore has made plans to set up a display in her honour.

It seems that the death of a musician at the age 27 has become a tragic recurrence. Every generation can name their own star, from Brian Jones to Kurt Cobain – all dying at the age of 27 and thus establishing the 27 Club. On 23 July 2011, Amy Winehouse’s death meant she was the latest member to join the club.

as soon as the death of amy Winehouse was announced, mourners flocked to

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A gifted musicianThis seems a fitting tribute to one of the most talented musicians of her generation. Amy Winehouse was marked out as a performer from an early age and subsequently earned a place at the prestigious Brit School in London. It didn’t take long for the young Winehouse to make her mark on the music industry with the release of her debut album, Frank. The album revealed Winehouse’s strength as a jazz singer and the power of her voice. The record would go on to win critical acclaim – many made comparisons to Aretha Franklin and Etta James, while the young Winehouse showed a level of charisma that made her immensely likable.

The creation of a starNevertheless, she was still clearly raw at this point; even wary of the media (she often enjoyed dismissing musical contemporaries). It was thus the release of her second album, Back to Black, which transformed Winehouse into a powerful female soul diva. The record managed to maintain a jazz backbone while combining it with a poppy edge to make it an instant success. Winehouse became the centre of media attention, desperate to snapshoot every appearance. One appearance particularly stood out. Her performance on the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury in 2008 captivated millions. It won rave reviews and showed the singers ability live on stage. The performance will also be known for ‘punch-gate’ where she hit a member of the crowd after she appeared to be groped. Despite this incident, the performance seemed to mark the zenith of a fledging career.

Troubled timesHowever, it also seemed to mark the point where Winehouse seemed to get into an increasing amount of trouble. Her wild life

was well documented, even celebrated in some quarters, but it clearly started to have an affect on the singer’s behaviour. Instead of shots of her on stage, it was accustomed to see her manically running in and out of court with an ever-growing beehive and a cigarette in her mouth. Her controversial relationship with Blake Civil-Fielding was often cited as a reason for the ever-increasing erratic behaviour with accusations that he was responsible for introducing her to Class A drugs. Their unstable relationship became a public obsession where both were photographed appearing black and blue after fights. They married in 2007, but later divorced in 2009.

While her personal life experienced growing turbulence, Winehouse’s musical career seemed to be going in the opposite direction. A much speculated third record was slow in materialising, while public appearances remained scarce. It was rumoured that she was spending time in the Caribbean to work on material, but doubts continued over the quality of her work. A step in the right direction appeared to be made when a new European Tour was announced, but after a shambolic first performance in Belgrade, where even the Serbian defence minister chose to criticise the performance, it was postponed.

Why 27?If Glastonbury 2008 was the highpoint, then Belgrade seemed to represent how

much Winehouse had fallen. It seems to be a familiar pattern for members of the 27 Club. The media attention and the lifestyle seem to provide a toxic combination. The reason toxic combination results in death at the age of 27 have been the cause of much speculation. Theories have ranged from the position of Saturn to particular cycles in the lifecycles. The coincidence is just too strong for those who love to revel in conspiracy theories.

Leaving aside the wild speculation about the 27 Club, there is a serious point about what the 27 Club has come to represent. Its very existence represents the manifestation of celebrity and the public obsession with it. This may give a better explanation for an untimely death. Certain media, in particular the tabloid press, often can provoke such stars into self-destruction, by allowing them little isolation or escape from the public eye. They also seem to bask in the celebrities’ lifestyle until it starts to unravel when they seize the chance to offer critical judgement. Tabloid headlines that screamed ‘Wino’ created an image, which Winehouse struggled to fight against. Instead, Winehouse should be remembered for being one of the most talented musicians of her generation and so should all the other members of the 27 Club.

the late amy Winehouse became the centre of media attention, as

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when she was drunk or behaved inappropriately.

Instead of shots of her on stage, it was accustomed to see her manically running in and out of court with an ever-growing beehive and a cigarette in her mouth.

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Homeless World CupSOUTH AFRICA’S STREET PLAYERS



For years, homeless football players had been overlooked on the streets, hopeless in the face of the game. But when Mel Young and Harald Schmied launched the first Homeless World Cup in 2003, these young players suddenly became champions on the pitch, ambassadors to their country and stood proud as they took the first steps towards beating homelessness through a shared passion for football. Although the Homeless World Cup may not bring every disadvantaged man, woman and child off the streets, it gives eight young individuals, from 48 countries all over the world, a chance to better their lives through football. And in August 2011, the Homeless World Cup came back bigger and better. In South Africa, with the help of sponsors like Cell C (airfares), Rovec (playing kit) and Nike (training kit), the Homeless World Cup took eight inspired, young, South African men to Paris to represent their country in a world-sporting event, presenting them with an opportunity none of them dreamed they would ever have.

the daily routine in the months leading up to the tournament, were filled with hectic training sessions for the south african team.

‘It is something that I cannot describe. It’s a huge honour, especially for people like us, who never had anything, who never had opportunities. And now I get the opportunity to represent my country, it’s a huge, huge honour,’ Ayanda Nkqayi told Cape Chameleon. Living in one of Cape Town’s informal settlements, Ayanda was one of those unfortunate young men who couldn’t afford to pursue his dreams as he was forced to deal with the pressures of living on the streets. But then, with the introduction of the Homeless World Cup, everything changed and Ayanda found himself as captain of the South African Homeless World Cup team 2011, preparing to embark on a once in a lifetime opportunity. Despite having only been training for the Homeless World Cup for three months, Ayanda claimed that his life had already changed for the better. When asked about his daily routine in the months leading up to the tournament, Ayanda described the hectic days crammed with training sessions, ‘life skills’ programmes and other preparations for the tournament. Cape Chameleon had the opportunity to learn more about Ayanda’s road to making his dreams comes true.

Photo: Priyanka Mogul

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and develop underprivileged areas, help the disadvantaged and work in the streets in our communities. I know there’s a need in the townships where those guys need help, that’s where I want to work,’ Ayanda shared his plans for his future with us. But his hope for the future does not end there. ‘My future plan is to go even further,’ he explained. ‘I know education is the key, so I would like to do Sports Management.’

Football has always been the centre of their lives, but the suffering and difficulties they have had to endure has always prevented them from being able to enjoy the game to its maximum potential. Now, football has proven to be the gift that has turned their lives around. Giving players like Ayanda an opportunity to abandon negative attributes of life and give them something to live for consequently leaves only positive footprints for the next generation to follow. Ayanda believes this is the way out for him and his children, and he believes it can be for many others who suffer from being in the same position.

Unfortunately, the team did not bring home the Cup, but it was never about winning it has always been about the outcome of their lives and where this game will lead them.

‘At home, we have no food, nothing. There’s a lot of stress. But on the football field, it’s where you can smile and forget everything. In my life I have never been outside of the country and I never dreamed that I would have such an opportunity. I’m very excited about going to Paris, especially not going there as a tourist, but going there to represent the country.’ – Ayanda Nkqayi, Captain

From the beginningBefore becoming involved in the Homeless World Cup, life for Ayanda Nkqayi was a battle to survive. Unemployed, a father to five and the breadwinner for his siblings and mother, he was forced to resort to dealing drugs in order to make ends meet. However, even he knew that things needed to change.

‘I have to change my life and try to live a positive life for my kids. They are looking up to me; they are looking at me as a role model. I can’t be a father by doing these wrong things, that’s why I started to realise I must do good things in life, I have to change my kind of living,’ Ayanda admitted.

Ever since becoming involved in the tournament, Ayanda had stopped taking drugs, replacing his addiction with a new addiction for bettering his life through football. Nothing in life comes without the burden of hard work and Ayanda was no stranger to that. To him this tournament was a way out of the situation he was in and he jumped at the opportunity in a desperate attempt to let football improve the situation he had gotten himself into.

‘I’m hoping this tournament, this opportunity that I’m getting; I’m hoping it will at least put me somewhere,’ said the optimistic football captain.

Building a family through footballWhen the Homeless World Cup was launched, Mel Young and Harald Schmied were looking for a way to create ties between homeless people of the world and build relations between the disadvantaged; and the tournament has done just that. Bringing people together and forming larger families eases the struggle out of poverty and into a world where dreams can finally be achieved. For Ayanda, meeting his teammates in this way has been a life changing process in itself, creating a bond with them like no other.

‘It’s an honour to have this group of guys,’ Ayanda told us. ‘Being around people who have experienced similar difficulties to the ones you are facing makes each day that much easier to get through as they motivate each other through the journey.’

the Homeless World cup 2011 was a worthwhile and life-changing experience

that will never leave the hearts of the south african players.

The passion for the gameThe love for a game is either embedded within your heart, or it isn’t, and for Ayanda football has become all he believes in; football has become his ‘religion’. He now sleeps, eats and breathes the game and he does so with passion. Football has been a part of his life since he was about four years old when he realised he could kick a ball, and who would have guessed that his love for the sport is what would stray him back onto the right path and save his life. To him the football pitch is like his second home – a safer home. It’s where he can escape from the cruelties of life and enjoy himself for a few hours.

‘Football to us is like… a rare enjoyment. It’s on the field that we can best express ourselves.’ Everyone was brought into this world for a reason and Ayanda feels he was brought here to play football.

Looking into the futureOne of the most important things about this programme is where it takes the players and how it improves their lives. Ayanda is one of many players who has high hopes for the future and dreams of bettering not only his world, but the world around him as well. He wants to give back to the community and to the people that are just like him, the people who are going through the same hardships of poverty. ‘I want to go back

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Traffic Accidents in Cape TownTHE SHORTCOMINGS OF PUBLIC TRANSPORT

WorDS adrian von schirach

copY eDiTorS kelly easton & gerhard Jacobs

Lihlume Dyantyi, an innocent, two-year-old boy, was on his way to visit his father in the care of his great aunt when a horrific accident took place. Bodies were strewn all over the place, a pair of brown shoes, a loaf of bread in a foil wrapper and a blanket were some of the items scattered in the wake of the accident. Lihlume cried out, ‘Mama’, as he called for his great aunt. Witnesses later reported that the little boy was pinned under the taxi and was crying for help as they pulled him out, his clothes soaked with blood. Sadly, this accident was one of many throughout 2011 and the escalated loss of life due to taxi accidents has grabbed the public’s attention.

South Africa´s roads are renowned for being dangerous and rank among the world’s worst, with more than 13,000 people killed every year. On 15 Novbember 2011 the N1 played host to the accident involving Lihlume, which also claimed the life of his aunt. ´I don´t know what I´m going to say to my boy, he loved that woman,´ said Lihlume’s father. 20 people perished and 17 were injured in the crash, including two taxis and a broken down truck. This was by no means an isolated incident though. Earlier last year another tragedy made headlines, when a school bus plunged into a dam in Knysna on 24 August, killing 14 pupils.

According to Steven Otter, Media Liaison Officer for the Department of Transport and Public Works, more than 2000 minibus-taxis are taken off the streets every year due to failed roadworthiness and misbehaviour of drivers. Nevertheless there are still many tragic road accidents that happen throughout Cape Town. Cape Chameleon will take a look at two main factors that cause the majority of these accidents by focusing on the N1 crash and the school bus tragedy in Knysna both occurring in 2011.

The N1 CrashOn 15 November at around 1pm the news reported that two minibus-taxis travelling from the Eastern Cape to the Western Cape collided with a stationary truck. In a well signposted 80km/h area on the N1 highway just outside Beaufort West, a heavily loaded truck ran out of fuel and blocked parts of both directions of traffic. While both drivers of the truck desperately tried to fill the truck up with petrol from a nearby filling station, the accident happened. Both minibus-taxis were driving very close to each other and rammed into the truck at high speed. The first minibus-taxi rolled over several times and left almost no survivors behind. According to the Provincial Health Services, 20 people perished, 17 were injured and 7 unharmed. Among the dead were 12 women, six men, one girl and a 20 month old boy. The speed at which the taxi drivers were travelling and their obvious disregard for the rules of the road ultimately lead to the death of 20 people, no matter how you look at it, their reckless behaviour is to blame. Road users should foster a sense of responsibility and respect for the rules of the road as well as other drivers.

The school bus accidentThe second incident clearly outlines the second major issue. In the early morning of 24 August a heavily overloaded school bus plunged into a river near Rheenedal. Earlier, the bus stopped to pick up pupils, even though it had already reached its capacity. The school bus, built for 32 passengers, subsequently trundled about 100m downhill and plunged into the rainwater filled river, after which the vehicle sank down front-first with just the back protruding from the water. All in all just 44 of the 59 passengers were able to get themselves out of the murky river. 14 pupils, aged between 7–14, as well as the driver, drowned. Witnesses later reported that it was not possible to rescue the pupils sitting in the front due to the dirty water and the amount of schoolbags that barred the way. Soon after, social workers and psychologists arrived on the scene of the accident to care for the affected families, school staff and children.

Eugene Labuschagne, owner of a George roadworthy testing station issued a roadworthy certificate for the bus, on 14 of April. However, on 13 September, a department

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one of the rundown minibus-taxis that transports hundreds of public transport users every day. Despite the limited amount of passengers (15), commuters are forced to squeeze in the minibus-taxis without any safety arrangements.

the uncountable amount of minibus-taxis at the minibus station on top of the cape town central train station emphasises the importance and the large demand on this kind of public transportation.

statement said that a forensic investigation had revealed that several mechanical faults were the reason for this disaster. Immediately after the education department took notice of the rising fatalities of learners making use of public transport; it became obvious to what extent corruption, as well as security gaps in the public transport system had spread. Even though Eugene Labuschagne closed his testing station and stands accused of corruption as well as the noticeable changes made by the education department, the question remains: how could it be possible to overlook such misconduct on a national level.

It starts with you!‘Despite the fact that our Safely Home Campaign has brought down Western Cape road fatalities by 23%, these major crashes, which often wipe out entire families, are continuing to happen,’ said Robin Carlisle, Western Cape MEC for Transport and Public Works. Although the Safety Home Campaign reached about half of its goal, namely to reduce the amount of casualties in public roads, it remains unclear as to what will be done in future to increase safety and security on public transport. Efforts to improve the current situation include liaising with various organisations to conduct safety checks within the taxi industry and setting up of a hotline for reporting road violations. The Provincial Traffic Radio Control hotline: 021 812 4581/2, gives other road users the opportunity to report dangerous driving by other drivers. Once your call has been logged, they will be in touch with you.

Furthermore, the Safely Home Campaign started changing techniques, so they began to show crash-scenes and eyewitness reports on TV to shock the audience, as well as naming and shaming drunk drivers in the Cape Argus newspaper. Immediately after the terrifying school bus accident in August last year, radical changes were made to the manner in which road testing stations were monitored. Through sting operations on suspicious testing stations, driver’s license testing centres and examiners, the amount of attempted bribery was reduced and a clear message was sent to those responsible.

After a speech by Minister Carlisle in November 2011, where he talked about the ‘culture of responsibility’, a new cooperative programme was to be entered along with the Department of Education. ´The Safely Home Team is already in a process of developing a more rigid education and awareness programme for the 2012/13 holiday season´, said Steve Otter. Finally, new laws will compel car owners to have the roadworthiness of their vehicles tested regularly; every two years.

Nevertheless, government reiterates that even though they try to increase the safety of the South African roads as much as possible; the bigger part of this initiative is in the hands of road users. It’s always good if you ask yourself on which side you are on when it comes to road safety. As Steve Otter said, ‘Let’s all take the side of safety and make sure that each and every one of us gets home safely!’

‘Despite the fact that our Safely Home Campaign has brought down Western Cape road fatalities by 23%, these major crashes, which often wipe out entire families, are continuing to happen,’ said Robin Carlisle, Western Cape MEC for Transport and Public Works.

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Brothers in almsArchbishop Desmond Tutu has been fighting for human rights for most of his 80-year life, so it would make sense that he would want someone of just as high a stature as a guest at his 80th birthday, which took place from 6–8 October, 2011.

Fellow Nobel Peace Prize Laureate and fervent human rights advocate, His Holiness the Dalai Lama was to be the guest of honour at Archbishop Tutu’s birthday celebration in 2011. As part of his visit he would also have delivered a speech, ‘Peace and compassion as a catalyst for change’ to students.

A history of human rights abuseIn 1950 the People’s Republic of China invaded the Kingdom of Tibet and in 1951 the Dalai Lama accepted an agreement in which Tibet was incorporated into China. After a revolt in 1959 the Lama and most of his government fled to India from where he and his exiled Tibetan government now manage the affairs of their all-but-lost state.

The oppression and human rights abuses of the Tibetan people by the Chinese government continue on a daily basis and the Lama works feverishly to raise global awareness for the plight of his people and their need for independence from the Chinese.

‘Things have got to the point where young monks in Tibet set themselves on fire, committing suicide, out of desperation,’ said an emotional Sonam Tenzing, the Dalai Lama’s representative in Africa, addressing the Cape Town Press Club at a luncheon last year.

A government disappointsIn light of the role the Dalai Lama plays internationally as an ambassador of peace and acceptance as well as his support for democracy and respect of human rights, you would

Dalai Lama’s Refused Visa SOUTH AFRICA LETS HUMAN RIGHTS DOWN

WorDS gerhard Jacobs


6 October 2011 marked the birthday of one of the most influential men in South African history; and possibly one of the most loved by his peers worldwide. However, Desmond Tutu’s birthday was marred by government’s refusal to issue a visa to the exiled Tibetan leader, human rights activist and fellow Nobel Prize winner.

His Holiness the Dalai Lama has committed his life to the advancement of human rights and the liberation of his people.

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even from within the ANC-led alliance. COSATU leader in the Western Cape, Tony Ehrenreich spoke out against government claiming that we should not ‘exchange morality for money’; other leaders and intellectuals like Western Cape Premier and leader of the official opposition, Helen Zille and Mamphela Ramphele added their voices to the many others.

Regardless of the reasons for the Lama’s rejection, the fact that a government born of bloodshed, racism and segregation would refuse a visa to a man that has spent most of his life fighting for the very rights we as South Africans now enjoy is as Archbishop Tutu put it ‘disgraceful’.

This entire saga ended in the Dalai Lama cancelling his planned visit. Not only was this a loss for those who would have no doubt benefitted from the wisdom he possesses and passes on so freely, but more importantly it is a blow to human rights and the very foundation on which the South African constitution and the Freedom Charter is based.

assume that the South African government would not think twice in granting him entry into the country… right? This, however, was not the case as the government failed to grant His Holiness a visa. Even though the Dalai Lama’s office had already applied for one in August last year the government still claimed that they had not received any request from the Lama’s office.

Although various attempts and communiqués were made by Sonam Tenzing, but also by Desmond Tutu himself, nothing seemed to happen and the government seemed not to want to communicate anything on the matter. This was not the first time that the South African government under the Jacob Zuma administration had refused the Dalai Lama entry into the country.

In 2009 His Holiness was to attend a Conference for Nobel Laureates in South Africa and was not granted a visa at the time.

Taking South Africa’s trade partners into

account you could come to what seems to be the popularly accepted reason for the government’s refusal to grant the Dalai Lama entry into China. The Asian giant has in the past attempted to flex its muscles towards President Barack Obama and advised him that it would ‘hurt relations’ should he allow the Lama entry into the USA. Obama, in turn, granted the Dalai Lama a visa and personally met with him.

‘We would like to see any sovereign nation making its own decisions and not be dictated to by China,’ said Tenzing.

One could possibly assume – and many have – that the same motion was made to Zuma, but it seems he is less sure of himself… or South Africa is more dependent on Chinese courtesy than we would want to believe.

Rising oppositionProtest against the government’s lack of consideration for His Holiness resulted in public outcry with a night vigil and various protests staged in front of Parliament and

‘We would like to see any sovereign nation making its own decisions and not be dictated to by China,’ said Tenzing.

archbishop Desmond tutu was to host his friend and fellow nobel Prize laureate at his 80th birthday last year.

the continued oppression of the tibetan people has in recent years resulted in mass protests by tibetan monks, with some even setting themselves on fire in protest to chinese rule.

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Gaddafi’s Iron Rule Collapses AN IRONIC TWIST TO THE BITTER TALE

Gaddafi always stated that he had created a democratic country, but it was clearly anything but as he was seen to fight tooth and nail against the Libyan people and killing those who opposed his regime in the name of freedom of expression, leading to an eight month civil war that began in February 2011.

Gaddafi’s fierce regimeGaddafi was born in 1942 on the Mediterranean coast near Sirte and chose a military education. He gained power in a bloodless military coup in 1969 and overpowered King Idris who was the only king to have ruled Libya. Gaddafi then formed the Third Universal Theory in the 1970s, which housed a connection between communism and capitalism. Gaddafi reigned in power for 42 years and eliminated the Libyan Constitution of 1951 forming a political ideology. He had a powerful hold over the Libyan oil industry and planned to empower communism and capitalism in Libya. The fierce leader did not allow any opposition during his rule and executed his own people when they stood up to fight for what they believed in and ruled Libya unopposed. Libyans were restricted from being involved in politics, from formulating unions and from speaking against the leader. There was no legislative office in parliament, no government

WorDS keagan Pistorius

copY eDiTorS kelly easton & Rebecca Hugo-saraceno

Muammar Gaddafi was determined to penetrate the heart of the Libyan communities in order to remove the opposing citizens that he termed ‘rats’. Many Libyans did not agree with Gaddafi’s regime and the end of his life brought about an ironic twist, as before his death in October 2011 he was drawn out of a drainage pipe at the hands of rebelling Libyans. Some would say like a rodent himself. Cape Chameleon takes a look at his life which, after months of fighting, ended in such a brutal manner.

organisation within the country and there was no form of investigative journalism.

The Libyan Law 75 of 1973 rejected the notion of freedom of expression and any opposition was illegal under the same law. In 1969 Gaddafi had orchestrated a revolutionary committee that maintained strict control over conflicts and Libyans working as informants for Gaddafi. Any person who formed a political party was punished by execution and any conversation about politics with individuals who were not Libyan was punishable by imprisonment. The executions and mutilations of political rivals were recorded and broadcast on state television and ordered assassinations within the USA, Europe and the Middle East. He ordered for the assassination of about 25 Libyan dissents and stated that it was the responsibility of the Libyan people to eliminate any scum who were internationally altering the image of Libya.

A mass grave was found hiding 1,270 bodies of inmates who were killed under the direction of Libyan security forces. The burial was suspected to have taken place in 1996 after the prison massacre in Tripoli and was concealed for many years. It is argued that prison informants had stood on top of the rooftop of the prison and

opened fire with Kalashnikov Rifles onto the inmates who were lined up in the courtyard of the prison. The guards then executed any survivors at close range.

Under Gaddafi’s rule Chad had been invaded and the attack killed 150 black Africans. He also removed West African migrant workers from Libya and once threatened the West with weapons of mass destruction in return for the end of all sanctions against him. Gaddafi was furthermore accused of blowing up the La Belle nightclub in West Berlin, which was a local retreat for American serviceman leaving the USA to bomb Libyan military forces in retribution, which killed 44 people. It is believed that Gaddafi supported many terrorist acts and praised the assassination of opposing Libyans who fled the country.

In July 2001 Moammar Gaddafi attempted to create a unification of Africa, but many Africans were convinced that if Africa had to become a borderless continent the quality of peace would disappear and the elimination of African borders would endorse free trade and limit economic growth for the continent.

Looking at some positivesGaddafi distributed oil revenues to the

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Late Libyan leader Muammar gaddafi seen here in his prime 42 year rule.

The Libyan economy had thrived under Gaddafi’s control and the people of his country were granted free basic needs, covertly in exchange for their basic human rights and their freedom of speech.

public to avoid corruption in the government and the idea behind the distribution of the oil wealth was to bridge the gap between the wealthy and the unfortunate people of the country. Gaddafi developed a high standard of living and created the opportunity for Muslim women to be able to be free and act as a part of the government and society.

The dictator invested billions of dollars into a satellite system for Africa in order to eliminate the process of going through Europe to make international calls to and from Africa. The Regional African Satellite Communications Organisation (RASCO) had connected Africa through television, telephone, radio broadcasting, telemedicine and broadcast education. The system began in 1992 when 45 African nations created a satellite and communications system in Africa and eliminated Europe’s Intelsat communication, and was endorsed by the Libyan guide, the African Development Bank and the West African Development Bank.

The former Libyan leader spent about $33 billion in creating a man made river, after discovering a water system under ground in the dessert. The Man-Made River commenced in 1996 and provided water to Libyans from Benghazi, Sirte and Tripoli from desert wells. The Great Man-Made River is the world’s largest water irrigation system and houses a network of pipes that supply water from the Sahara Desert, running for about 2820km. Gaddafi created an agricultural state which helped produce food for the country and organised land and equipment. This was the basis of the industry and allowed Libya to rely on its own land. Gaddafi planned on eliminating the exporting of raw materials out of Africa, as they were only bought back into Africa at higher cost. Africa would be able to utilise their own resources and build products from its raw materials and then sell them to make a profit, creating an independent and empowered Africa.

The Libyan economy had thrived under Gaddafi’s control and the people of his country were granted free basic needs, covertly in exchange for their basic human rights and their freedom of speech. Gaddafi had used Libya’s natural resources to improve: the quality of life within Libya and helped raise the literacy rate, life expectancy levels, employment opportunities, the welfare systems, free education, free healthcare and financial assistance for housing. Through the use of Gaddafi’s standards Libya advanced rapidly and allowed the petroleum sector to help grow the economy.

Gaddafi’s oppositionThe Libyan rebels fought against Gaddafi, as they believed that he was murdering people for unjust reasons without trial. However these rebels are believed to have stepped in the same light as Gaddafi, as they too are accused of war crimes, because they killed the soldiers and civilians who were believed to be Gaddafi’s supporters. So what does this say about the judicial system in place and the mind-set of the Libyans? Are they just as corrupt as the former leader or did they do what they thought was necessary to end the oppressive regime?

The Berber groups are a non-Arab minority group which had their language and culture repressed under Gaddafi’s regime and joined the rebels in protesting against Gaddafi, soon becoming the majority of the rebellion forces. Gaddafi had blamed the unrest in the country on ‘rats and mercenaries’ who were brainwashed by Osama Bin Laden and under the influence of drugs.

The North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), system of 28 countries, each constituted a collective defence agreement that ensured every member would come to a mutual defence against assaults caused by external groups. They played a major role in bringing down the 42 year reigning leader of Libya.

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The National Transitional Council (NTC) was the anti-government organisation that was established with the goal and purpose of ‘building a free and democratic society and ensuring the supremacy of international humanitarian law and human rights declarations’. They wanted the implementation of political parties, unions and civil and peaceful associations to have the right to freedom of expression through the media, peaceful protests and demonstrations that dictated the rights and obligations of all Libyan citizens. They wanted peace, truth, justice and equality for all.

Repercussions of the fallen leaderThere have been questions about the manner in which Gaddafi and his followers had been executed. It is ironic as the rebels opposed Gaddafi as he murdered Libyan citizens without any judicial systems involved. If Gaddafi were killed without any trial, does it not suggest that the rebels were in the same league as the militant leader they so despised?

Britain, France and the USA had a hand in the killing of Gaddafi as they aided the Libyan rebels with Special Forces and equipment. Gaddafi’s final moments remain unclear as there were many versions of materials that captured the eyewitness events of the fallen leader. On 20 October 2011 Gaddafi had escaped out of Sirte with his loyalists when they were caught in a gun clash and attempted to escape in a convoy of trucks, but was soon stopped by an airstrike ordered by the French air force which dispersed the fleet into smaller groups. Gaddafi escaped and retreated into a sewer pipe filled with garbage. One of Gaddafi’s men had come out of the piping with his rifle held above his head yelling that Gaddafi was injured in the sewer pipes, soon Gaddafi was in the hands of the rebels.

There have been contradicting statements about Gaddafi’s

capture. Reports declared Gaddafi begged not be shot at during his capture but was supposedly shot in the leg and back once being dragged out of the sewer. It was indicated by forensics that he died from a bullet to the head. Footage circulated on the internet, which was filmed from rebels’ cellphones showed Gaddafi covered in blood but not seriously injured during his capture. Some footage showed Gaddafi being dragged by NTC fighters cheering ‘God is Great!’ There have been viral videos depicting different versions of how Gaddafi was killed. One depicted that Gaddafi was alive and stumbling towards an ambulance with his shirt covered in blood and his face dripping with blood. Another video exhibited Gaddafi lying in a puddle of his own blood and surrounded by the rebels allegedly responsible for his death, he had no shirt on at all and showed a gunshot wound straight to his head. A third video revealed Gaddafi being propped over the bonnet of a car as a souvenir prize, while a fourth video surfaced that displayed his dead body on a mat with several individuals posing with his lifeless body and capturing photographs as a token of his fallen regime.

One claim stated that Gaddafi was placed into an ambulance to be sent to a hospital in Misratah, but died due to his wounds while the NATO stated that Gaddafi had been killed in crossfire during the transportation. Many people believe that there were no laws that governed his execution and his death constituted a war crime. Muammar Gaddafi’s body was on show for four days in order for the public to personally see for themselves that Gaddafi was truly dead. He was removed and buried in the Libyan Desert on 24 October 2011 along with his son Moatassem Gaddafi who also died in the hands of the NTC freedom fighters.

It is believed that Gaddafi will be remembered as a man of

Photo: Tomasz Szustek/Uspecto Images

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It is believed that Gaddafi will be remembered as a man of dictatorship and for the cruel acts that he committed during his leadership. The number of people killed could take several years to verify; this includes students, educators, civilians, rebels and Gaddafi loyalists.

Protesters gathered universally in uproar against gaddafi’s powerful regime, as shown here by the Libyan community protest in Dublin.

dictatorship and for the cruel acts that he committed during his leadership. The number of people killed could take several years to verify; this includes students, educators, civilians, rebels and Gaddafi loyalists. Many civilians of Libya were left to live in schools, tents and shacks as their houses were burnt to the ground by his supporters during the war and even after Gaddafi had been killed.

What lies in the future for Libya?Libya has elected a new prime minister who is determined to heal his broken nation and guarantees democracy in Libya. Abdurrahim el-Keib is a professor of electrical engineering and guarantees a promise of healing the shattered country and giving the people their constitutional human rights. The leader was elected into power by a mere 26 votes out of 51 by the NTC. The devoted Muslim is not well known as he spent many years in exile in the USA since 1975 when Gaddafi came to power, but returned once Gaddafi had fled his home. Al-Keeb was a key financer for the rebels Libyan Youth Movements during the national war. The new Libyan leader believes that one of the biggest challenges that face Libya’s future is the psychological state of the men who fought in this civil war, as they witnessed their family and friends being murdered.

Gaddafi’s family is attempting to take NATO to the International Military Court for the war crimes as they believe NATO attacked the convoy in unjust circumstances as it did not pose any risk against the citizens of Libya. They declare that the attack was to eliminate the ruler and for reasons that his body was ‘on show’ for four days inside of a shopping centre, which was an unjust crime.

Others believe that Libya is now liberated

as Gaddafi is not in power anymore though it needs to be ensured that there are no more pro-Gaddafi forces at large that will threaten the Libyan people. Others believe that Gaddafi should not have been killed, but rather stand trial for the crimes that he committed against his own people. Ahmed al-Zubair Ahmed al-Sanussi was a NTC political prisoner and the only heir of Libya’s last King Idris al-Sanussi. He was accused of being a conspirer against Gaddafi in 1970 and spent 31 years in prison and only to be released in 2001. He stated that it would be difficult for Libyans to rebuild their country now that Gaddafi is out of power and it will take a long time, but the people are strong.

Some believe that now Gaddafi is dead it could mean that Libya will see a more stable investment into the Libyan oil structure. Libya is still filled with weaponry, ammunition and heavy artillery that arose during the civil war and one of the first steps to reunite and reconcile Libya would be to collect these weapons and remove them. There have been armed gunman moving into Tripoli and attempting to claim the houses of the fallen Libyan leaders’ advocates, therefore Libya needs to implement local security forces that deal with any force that refrains from disarming themselves. Libya cannot rely on the armed forces that were created during the Libyan battle as they could represent a biased vision.

As the oil companies have been shut down because of the war Libya would need to begin pumping again for the redevelopment of the economy and infrastructure. The war is over so the importing of food can continue and shops should be able to stock full shelves while the electricity blackouts should end. Gaddafi loyalists had destroyed the water

system that fed Libyans with fresh water and that too needs to be fully repaired. Not all schools have reopened and many children of parents who were pro-Gaddafi are worried about returning to the schools in fear of past beliefs and concerns. The education system has attempted to give the students a chance to catch up and write their final exams as they missed out on almost an entire year’s work. A new curriculum will be introduced as under Gaddafi’s rule there were no teachings on the pre-Gaddafi era and Tripoli medical facilities and supplies have improved, but other areas have seemed to stay under poor circumstances.

National healing could possibly be one of the most important aspects of creating a new Libya. The local and ethnic rivalry needs to be reconciliated and it is not certain whether or not Gaddafi’s loyalists will receive forgiveness. A structure for the new democratic elections has been set up for the year 2013 and a new association and constitution will need to be drawn. Libya has never seen a system of democracy and voting in elections, so the implementation of the structure and drafting will be challenging and costly.

The reestablishment and rebuilding of Libya all relies on the future government and reconciliation of all Libyan citizens. There is a possibility that the rebels who are believed to have taken the former leader out of power may still oppress the groups who once were the backbone of Gaddafi’s military forces and the devotees may oppress the new Libyan government in retaliation to the rebels who killed their leader.

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Cape Town Wins World Design Capital 2014LIVING IN DESIGN WHILE TRANSFORMING LIFEWorDS Myrthe de smit

copY eDiTor gerhard Jacobs

Cape Town serves up a smorgasbord of sights, smells and sounds as a result of its vibrant cultural heritage and the people who now make up this cosmo-chic melting pot. A fresh sea breeze married with the smell of summer and the names of bus-stops being shouted from the street corners, creating an energetic and eclectic feel to the city. Despite this, Cape Town has so much more to offer, hence the announcement on 26 October 2011 as the winning city for World Design Capital 2014.

World Design Capital (WDC) is a bi-annual global promotion project for cities that represent the importance of design and is an initiative of the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (ICSID). ICSID wants to produce global awareness of design, but more essentially ICSID strives to give global prominence to the city that uses design as an instrument for social, cultural and economic development. In July 2011 ICSID announced the selected cities for the World Design Capital 2014 title. After visiting the three selected cities: Dublin (Ireland), Bilbao (Spain) and of course Cape Town the jury announced Cape Town as the winning city. The title was awarded in advance, so that the city has enough time to design, prepare and develop before 2014.

Cape Town was chosen out of 56 contestants and is coordinated by the Cape Town Partnership (CTP), an initiative between the public and private sectors that work together to promote and develop Cape Town. But along with CTP, there are other different organisations and institutions from the government to the fashion industries, which have guaranteed their support for Cape Town as Design Capital in 2014.

Live design, transform lifeZayd Minty, the communication strategy manager and creative coordinator who was involved in the official bid for Cape Town, projected three grand outcomes for Cape Town: opportunity,

WDc is not just about architecture, its also about fashion design, infrastructural design and interior design.

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global attention and free marketing. Cape Town has a character that no other city in the world possesses that makes it an interesting WDC. Think about the diversity, heritage, and the iconic natural landscape, the enormous size of the city and its mixture of architecture. These are just a few qualities and it’s a step in the right direction, but to win the bid you need more than character. Design is the key word. Design comes up with practical solutions for urbanisation, but also designing to reconnect the Capetonians.

‘Live Design. Transform Life’ is the motto for the bid. With this opportunity, Cape Town strives to improve life and create a healthy future at social, economic and cultural levels. Cape Town is busy with designing the future and the three goals for the city are: rebuild, reconnect and reposition Cape Town.

The Violence Prevention Urban Uprading (VPUU) is busy upgrading areas that are characterised by, among other things, violence, unemployment and poverty. VPUU creates public spaces where there are streets lights that provide public visibility, but also a human shield that generates personal safety. A good example of this is the Harare Library in Khayelitsha. The library gives the community the opportunity to grow their knowledge, and make use of computers with internet access.

Reconnecting Cape Town through designing infrastructural enhancement is the next goal. A large percentage of Capetonians depend on public transport. The minibuses are by far the most popular, but also not reliable and safe. That is why the City of Cape Town wants to reconnect people through the Integrated Rapid Transit (IRT) system. The IRT network wants

to integrate the existing public transport, such as minibus-taxis and the train service MetroRail, with new public services. Also, the city wants to promote an increase of cycling and walking by designing a network of safe pedestrian and bicycle paths. This network will provide increased mobility, improving health and economic benefits.

The final goal is to reposition Cape Town. The NPO Design Indaba and its initiatives is a good example of repositioning. Design Indaba is mostly known, locally and internationally, for their Design Indaba Conference and Expo. These initiatives promote the sense that design creates a better future. Indaba also came up with the ‘10 X 10 Housing Project’, where designers strive to produce affordable, low-income urban housing. These kinds of initiatives are the ones that illustrate that design creates a better future. With 3.4 million citizens, an urbanised Cape Town must come up with new and creative solutions to avoid homelessness.

Dublin & BilbaoDublin’s goal was clear; to turn design inside out and to reshape their city and its place in the world. Connecting cities, making cities lighter, making cities flow and making cities smile were all part of Pivot Dublin’s plan. One of their specialties is the Dublin Bike Scheme. Dublin Bike provides bikes that people can borrow from automated self-service stations. Bilbao on the other hand, is generally known for its Guggenheim Museum, but since it dates from 1997 Bilbao needed some more to show off. For Bilbao, design innovation was ‘an essential tool to improve the competitiveness and quality of life’. The main goal for Bilbao was to develop environments where public and private sectors could combine. They also

felt the need for transformation and to rejuvenate the city.

Eco-friendly designCape Town is not only concentrating on design that improves life at a social, economical and cultural level, but moreover at an environmental level. The foremost step in an environmentally friendly future is that the city is working on a Non-Motored Project. The idea: create a non-motored transportation system that provides not only promotes physical activity and vibrancy of the community and a decline of pollution and a reduction of CO2 emissions.

Another initiative comes from the Lynedoch Development Company (LDC) that develops the Lynedoch Eco-villige – an economically designed cohesive community that is sustainable, also on a financial and economical level. Recycling water is a good example of their initiative. All these eco-friendly developments are very important for our environment and global awareness.

Cape Town’s concept is ‘Live Design. Transform Life’ and by 2014 people will hopefully witness the transformation of a city that was socially, economically, socially and emotionally divided for a long time. Design to reunite citizens and furthermore improve the quality of life. Winning this competition will only have a positive impact for this city, like Lorelle Bell, coordinator of Worlds Design Capital Bid said: ‘The world gets to appreciate this city, this country and, in fact, this continent not as a combination of exotic beauty spots, wild life and trouble, but as modern, urban and effective place in which people, rather than the big five, live.’

With cape town as WDc, there will be plenty of events based on design for transformation hosted by cape town. these events will be a great attraction for local and international design thinkers and talents.

in 2010, cape town hosted one of the most successful World cups in recent years and the first in africa. the World cup enhanced infrastructure in cape town. the stadium does not only have a modern design, but is also very eco-friendly – water and energy efficiency are part of the design.

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WorDS Junichiro nakagawa


10 November 2011 was a day of relief for many South Africans when they heard that South Africa’s ruling party, the ANC, found Julius Malema guilty for ‘bringing the party into disrepute and ordered him to step down as youth league president’ (BBC News). With his controversial statements and the many unprincipled examples he was setting as the president of the African National Congress Youth League (ANCYL), Malema’s actions were feared to have undermined the reputation of the ANC – a party pioneered by, among others, Nelson Mandela and Walter Sisulu – the freedom fighters who were determined to fight against apartheid. Cape Chameleon looks back on the jaw-dropping events, which lead to Malema’s suspension and his unpopularity.

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ancYL Leader, Julius Malema, addresses journalists at a Press conference, regarding the hate speech ruling, at Lithuli House in Johannesburg.

Julius Malema SUSPENSION AND UNPOPULARITY

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Hate speech ‘The woman stayed until the sun comes out, requested breakfast and asked for taxi money, she must have had a nice time,’ were Malema’s words when he referred to the woman who accused President Jacob Zuma of allegedly raping her. This comment was received as demeaning and humiliating to all women and although he was in the public eye and leaders of the politicians are expected to take responsibility for their actions and carefully select their words; in Malema’s case it seemed that he lacked consideration for his words. So it came as no surprise when he was convicted of hate speech by the Equality Court on March 15, 2010. The Equality Court judge ordered Malema to pay R50,000 to a shelter for abused women and make a sincere public apology for what he had said. But did he learn his lesson and keep his mouth shut?

Shoot the Boer The song ‘Shoot the Boer’ goes back to the racist apartheid years and remains to be of a very sensitive nature to many South Africans. However, even in this day and age the only person still singing it is Julius Malema! In March 2010, Malema sang the song which holds the word ‘boer’ an Afrikaans word which can be translated to the word ‘farmer’ and was directed at white Afrikaans South Africans during apartheid. In other words, what he sang implied ‘kill white’ and what makes more inappropriate is that he sang the song after six farmers were tragically killed. Ernst Roets, who is the chairman of Afri Forum Youth National, said right after the incident in Johannesburg that ‘Julius Malema has become the biggest embarrassment of not only the youth, but also of the country’. As a result, he was banned from uttering the words ‘shoot the boer’ in public again.

BBC journalist Malema’s actions did not get any better and on 8 April 2010, Malema lashed out at a BBC journalist during a press conference, and said, ‘This is not a playground. This is not a beer hall. Don’t abuse us in our own space; in our own house... this is my house’. This incident happened at a Johannesburg media briefing covering in when he was criticising the Movement for Democratic Change for having offices in Sandton, BBC journalist Jonah Fisher said, ‘you live in Sandton’. After his comment, Malema got agitated and swore at Fisher, calling him ‘a bastard and a bloody agent’ and kicked him out. During his insulting; one could clearly notice his racist side when he said ‘this is a building of a revolutionary party and you know nothing about the revolution. Don’t come here with that white tendency’. Fisher just said ‘rubbish’ and this provoked him more, so Malema kicked Fisher out. After this incident, President Zuma rebuked him. Zuma told him ‘leaders should think before they speak’. But Malema remained defiant even against Zuma and further shocking incidents occurred.

‘My blood is black, green and gold. Even if I am expelled, I will remain a member and loyal supporter of the ANC. I was born an ANC member,’ said Malema.

The Ratanang Family Trust So did it get any better? It certainly didn’t! Once upon a time, Malema founded the Ratanang Family Trust that was named after his son and owned by Maropeng Ramohlale, the mother of his son. It held shares of On-Point Engineering, which administered a large part of the multi-billion-rand budget of Limpopo’s roads and transport department. This meant Malema had the say over who is awarded tenders from a three-year budget allocation of reportedly R4.6 billion. City Press calls it ‘secret fund’ although Malema and the department contradict it. According to City Press, the trust was a vehicle used by the youth leader and his benefactors to fund his lifestyle. ANC Youth League said the Ratanang Family Trust was founded to help low income people. Malema has never used it for himself. In fact, the Ratanang Family Trust built a church by using its money. He also said ‘There is nothing the police can find, because I’m poor. I have nothing to hide.’ But here we have one question. Malema destroyed his R3 million house and built estimated about R16 million house. How could he do that if he is as he says ‘poor’? Another big question is, ‘Is it true that contractors, individuals and politicians deposit money into the trust, as alleged by City Press’ sources, in exchange for securing tenders, political protection or their political agendas’? If he says he doesn’t have any scandal with the Ratanang Family Trust, he should be able to say no.

Five years suspensionOn 10 November 2011, Malema was finally ordered to leave his position as the president of the ANCYL. ‘His statements on Botswana were “reckless” and brought the ANC into disrepute,’ said Derek Hanekom who is the party’s national disciplinary committee chairperson. He is appealling against the sentencing, but he is unconcerned by his actions and was reported saying that he has no problem with what he has done. ‘My blood is black, green and gold. Even if I am expelled, I will remain a member and loyal supporter of the ANC. I was born an ANC member,’ said Malema. A short two days after he got five years suspension, he went to a meeting in Benoni and danced and sang with his fellow comrades.

As the sentence is finalised, it will be difficult for him to get involved in the next ANC leadership elections and replace Zuma with deputy leader Kgalema Motlanthe. Unless the period of his suspension is reduced on appeal, he would be too old to come back as the leader of the Youth League. And so you have it, the story of Julius Malema – his suspension and the reasons for his unpopularity.

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The Secrecy Bill SOUTH AFRICANS HAVE BEEN CENSORED

The bill was written up to protect state information, however, it also includes clauses which criminalise whistle blowing, potentially cover up corruption and rid South Africans of their right to information and freedom of expression. This is almost certainly not the vision Mandela had for the governing policies of the African National Congress. The Protection of Information Bill allows public officials the right to classify any information as secret and impose 25-year jail sentences on those who publish ‘classified’ information. However the consequences of imposing restrictions on access to government information will create a society of secrets and a community where people remain in the dark about information they have the right to.

According to Section 32 of the South African Constitution, citizens of the country have the right to access of any information held by the state, as well as any information held by another person and that is required for exercise and/or protection of rights. Additionally, Section 16 of the Constitution proclaims that everyone has the right to Freedom of Expression, which includes the Freedom of Press and other media.

Farewell to democracy? A democracy can only exist where there is a free flow of information between the government and its people. Reporters Without Boarders’ World Press Freedom Index ranked South Africa as 26th in the world for ‘Genuine Press Freedom’ in 2002,

South African journalists have long since been the victims of media censorship. After the horrific struggle to report during the apartheid era, one man led a political party to victory and secured the right for journalists in this rainbow nation to report without borders. ‘A critical, independent and investigative press is the lifeblood of any democracy,’ Nelson Mandela said when he was proclaimed South Africa’s first democratically elected president. ‘The press must be free from state interference. It must have the economic strength to stand up to the blandishments of government officials.’ But in November 2011, the democratic system Nelson Mandela spent all his life fighting for was crushed due to the ‘Protection of Information Bill’, or the ‘Secrecy Bill’ as christened by South African citizens.

on 22 november 2011, hundreds of south africans, all dressed in black, marched outside parliament with determined faces and posters reading ‘you lied to us’.

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but 33rd in 2009. These statistics relay the chilling news that the government is moving away from the democratic society South Africa has slowly created and is creeping back onto the path towards apartheid-era secrecy. As we stray back onto the path towards the dark place we were once captured within, other African nations have begun making their own history in media freedom. In 2005, Uganda passed the Access to Information Act, which was followed by an attempt in 2010 to create a more allowing environment for the people to disclose information on corruption in the private or public sectors of the country. Similarly, in 2010 Nigeria passed a Freedom of Information Law.

Mukelani Dimba from the Open Democracy Advice Centre in Cape Town further highlighted the irony of the situation in a statement earlier in 2011 saying, ‘The pending enactment of the Protection of Information Bill means South Africa has lost its leadership on matters of advancing the right to information on the African continent. South Africa had been an important reference point for other countries on the continent to draw lessons from regarding the operationalisation of the right of access to information in the context of a developing African country.’

The fight against secrecy The Protection of Information Bill doesn’t only affect journalists and whistle blowers, but affects all citizens of South Africa. So it was interesting to watch the University of Cape Town (UCT) getting involved in the campaign against the Bill and taking part in campaign Right2Know’s marches in the months prior to the passing of the Bill. A group called ‘Students Against Secrecy’ was also launched as an affiliation of the Right2Know campaign, consisting of a coalition of UCT students and student organisations. The group aimed to raise awareness and create discussion about the Protection of Information Bill, encouraging South African youth to stand up and fight for their rights.

The Bill was brought to the table at parliament on 20 September 2011 for final discussions; however, mass protests on the days

leading up to that dreadful Monday caught the government off guard and the voices of the people were finally heard. Instead of the Bill being passed that day, the ANC announced the withdrawal of the Bill from discussion. They announced that ‘further consultations’ would take place and ‘debates should continue on the Bill with a view to further enhance the quality of the current draft’. Additionally, it was declared that further talks would be held with public interest groups to ‘engage views from the broader society’.

This decision taken by the ANC was the result of protest marches all over the country and a petition opposing the proposed bill that contained 55,000 signatures. Protests that had been held were a great opportunity for citizens to realise the power of their voices. Black Tuesday On 22 November 2011, hundreds of South Africans, all dressed in black, marched outside parliament with determined faces and posters reading ‘you lied to us’. According to The Times online it marked ‘the start of dark days for freedom of speech, freedom of expression and media freedom… It named the campaign ‘Black Tuesday’ based on what became known as ‘Black Wednesday – 19 October 1977 – when the apartheid government banned The World, the Sunday World and a Christian publication Pro Veritas, as well as almost 20 people and organisations associated with the black consciousness movement.’ It was on this day when The National Assembly passed the Information Bill with 229 votes in favour of its passing, two abstentions and 107 votes against it. While the decision appears to be final, the next step is for the Bill ‘to go to the National Council of Provinces and the back to the National Assembly before the president signs it and it gets gazetted’ explained an article in the Mail & Guardian.

So while South Africans wait for the final decision, we all remember press freedom and the privilege of having the right to freedom of expression.

cartoonist, Zapiro illustrates the method behind the secrecy bill, in other words criminalise whistle blowing, cover up corruption and rid south africans of their right to information and freedom of expression.

‘The pending enactment of the Protection of Information Bill means South Africa has lost its leadership on matters of advancing the right to information on the African continent.’ – Mukelani Dimba from the Open Democracy Advice Centre

Cartoon by Zapiro, The Times © 2011. Reprinted with permission

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Cape Chameleon Useful Contacts issue 15 2012

Useful contacts

> AFRICAN UNION HEADQUARTERSRoosvelt Street Old Airport AreaW21K19 Addis AbabaEthiopia(t) 251 11 551 77 00(e) [email protected] union consists of 54 african states and promotes and defends african common positions on issues of interest to the continent and its people.

> AMY WINEHOUSE FOUNDATION5 Harley PlaceLondonW1 8QD(t) 020 7436 3633(e) [email protected] amy Winehouse Foundation has been set up in amy’s memory to support or care for those who are in need by reason of ill health, disability, financial disadvantage or addiction.

> CAPE TOWN PARTNERSHIP 10th Floor, The Terraces34 Bree StreetCape Town (t) 021 419 1881(e) [email protected] town’s World Design capital 2014 bid committee is convened by the cape town Partnership.

> CAPE TOWN TRAFFIC DEPARTMENTGallows Hill RoadGreenpointCape Town(t) 021 406 8700www.westerncape.gov.zagallow Hills traffic Department is one of the Municipal traffic Departments in cape town and deals with all traffic matters.

> DA OFFICE (WESTERN CAPE GOVERNMENT) MARKS BUILDING, PARLIAMENTPlein StreetCape Town(t) +27 (0)21 403 2910(e) [email protected] Provincial government of the Western cape (Da) works in co-operation with national government to create laws for and provide services to the people of the Western cape.

> INTERNATIONAL COMMITTEE OF THE RED CROSS (ICRC) Palais des NationsCH1211 GenevaSwitzerland(t) +41 22 734 60 01(e) [email protected] the icRc is committed to responding rapidly and efficiently to the humanitarian needs of people affected by armed conflict or by a natural disaster occurring in a conflict area.

> PRESS COMPLAINTS COMMISSION (PCC)Halton House20/23 Holborn London EC1N 2JDUnited Kingdom(t) 020 7831 0123(e) [email protected] Pcc is an independent self-regulatory body which deals with complaints about the editorial content of newspapers and magazines (and their websites) in the uk.

> RIGHT2KNOW CAMPAIGNPO Box 3077Cape Town, 8000 (t) 021 461 7211(e) [email protected] Right2know campaign (R2k) is a nation-wide coalition of people and

organisations opposed to the Protection of information bill.

> SALVATION ARMY – SOUTHERN AFRICAN TERRITORY PO Box 18179Wynberg 7824Cape Town(t) 021 761 8530 (e) [email protected] salvation army helps the homeless, the abused or abandoned, trains the disadvantaged, provides character building programmes for youth and assists the displaced or elderly.

> SOUTH AFRICA HOMELESS STREET SOCCER (SAHSS)8 Schaap RoadOasis Business Park, SchaapKraalPhilippiCape Town(t) 021 703 4985(e) [email protected] focus lies at creating developmental opportunities for young people living on the streets as well as in very difficult circumstances within informal settlements.

> UNDP SOUTH AFRICA351 Schoeman StreetMetro Park BuildingPretoria(t) 021 354 8006(e) [email protected] nations Development Programme south africa is committed to support south africa in fulfilling its national development goals including the Millennium Development goals.

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Cape Chameleon Issue 15

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