ILLEGAL STRIKE THREATENS NEW INTERNATIONAL INVESTORS

These illegal strikes threaten new international investors in the mining industries in particular , which will simultaneously impact our economic growth negatively. Because these strikes involve violence, international investors will in a long run no longer invest in our country because they might lose their profit and business at large. Although my concern is hugely focused on the management for ignoring their workers’ demands which creates bad perception to the public. The management of those concerned industries should learn to be proactive and responsive to their workers since they have a great impact on how the public perceives them. The mining management is seen as incompetent when compared to the other industries.

They should have seated around the table and discuss all issues concerning salary increase beforehand. They deserve decent salaries as they work hard to develop their organisations. Since Marikana tragedy we have seen more strikes breaking out especially in the mining industry. This clearly shows us that all mine workers are not satisfied with their salaries so they embark on strike in order to persuade their employers to respond to their grievances. I am failing to understand why does not management solve their workers' problem before they action on strike.

·Why do they wait until the workers take actions?

·Does this show that the management do not see the need for salary increase without getting a     workup call by their workers?

·Do they care about their image and reputation for failing to handle their workers issues before   they protest?

It seems like the management only take into consideration their workers’ demands after they engaged themselves in strike. Since it is patently apparent that  the management will eventually listen and responds positively to their workers’ demands it would be ideal to respond to them before they embark on strike which will eventuate in damaging the image and reputation of the mining industry at large.

MALEMA SHOULD GET MAXIMUM MEDIA COVERAGE

There are romours spreading from ear to ear pertaining the coverage of the expelled youth league president Julias Malema by the public broadcast SABC. SABC spokes person Keizer Kganyago declared that the allegations were not true. I was bit surprised as to why should the public broadcaster give unbalanced reporting by not covering some stories which are on the public interest.  SABC journalists say they were instructed not to report about anything Malema says. This would threaten journalists to execute their job freely and exercise their rights to cover stories. In South Africa we have the freedom of expression and freedom of speech. It is highly likely that SABC might lose its listeners and viewers in a long run due to the exclusion of Malema. People would tend to listen to the commercial broadcasters chasing for what appeals to them. However, this was not true the management did not instruct any one not to give reporting about Malema, says Kganyago.

(Expelled ANCYL president Julias Malema)

Since the public hear what they want to hear and see what they want to see, it would be on their advantage to report about what interests the public in order to sustain their audience's loyalty. As a public broadcaster that is perceived as giving a balanced reporting we expect them to give us what we like to know. They would be perceived as incompetent for giving unfair and biased reporting, should they get influenced by some of the government officials who are against Malema.

TOGETHER WE CAN COMBAT CRIME IN SOUTH AFRICA

Crime is a prominent issue in South Africa. We have an extraordinary high rate of murders, assaults, rapes (adults,child and infant) and any other crimes compared to other countries particularly in Africa. The annual crime statistics released in 2011 show a continuing downward trend except rape which went up by 2.1 percent.  The individuals who commit crime they are our brothers, sisters and friends and they live within our communities.

• Why do not we report them since we know that they are criminals.
• Why do we hide and not expose them to the police?
• Why do not we work together with the police in fighting and reducing crime?

It is rather annoying in the country to have residents who perceive police as their enemies, while they are trying to protect us. Let us be their eyes and ears for any crime and corruption that takes place in our communities.

Moreover, the South African prison should change the way in which prisoners are treated. I think there is nothing which criminals may be fear to commit crime since they know that they will be treated as a king in the prison. They should be treated accordingly even though, they might not be treated like the way apartheid regime did. Ineffective communication and relationship between the police and the communities is the major cause that needs to be enhanced in order to combat crime in our country. The police should build a sustainable relationship with the public by convincing them that they are there to protect us they are not against us. Together we can end crime in our country.