The article shows how DA leader Helen Zille disagrees with attempts to force the Basic Education Minister to provide basic infrastructure creating an environment for education. Instead she, and Jonathan Jansen, VC of The University of the Free State argue that this is misplaced where quality teaching is absent and this, in the view of Jansen should be related to other routes to economic advancement more lucrative than teaching.. Davis shows that the provision of toilets, buildings etc are not seen as a total answer to the problem of education but that these are a crucial element of what is required for an adequate learning environment.
Esther Phillips, No headstone on my grave
Mandisi Majavu, Vavi: Discursive Tension Stifles Rape Discussion
Another take on the alleged rape or ‘consensual’ sex engaged in by Zwelinzima Vavi in COSATU HQ. While I think the writer brings some insights that have not been in the debate, the power relationship seems somehow to be lost in the various discourses that the writer examines. While ‘discursive tension’ may stifle debate, without detracting from what the contribution reveals, does it open that debate on Vavi’s actions, any further than it has been up till now?
Nomboniso Gasa, Complex legacy of 1913 land act
Chase Madar, The trials of Bradley Manning
Athambile Masola, What if Marriage wasn’t anti-feminism?
Jen Thorpe, How you can tell when someone is a real rape survivor
Athambile Masola, Women’s bodies are not fodder for power games
T O Molefe, Hello rape culture, hello ignorance
Raymond Suttner, Power and sexual encounters in the work place
The recent rape allegations against Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretaty of COSATU has led to a range of arguments, which obscure the character of the sexual encounter, Continue reading
Sisonke Msimang, Who killed Pinky Mosiane?
This article demonstrates how the regulations stipulating that women be employed underground in the mines, is not supported by measures to protect them from sexual abuse. The murder of Pinky Mosiane has not been properly investigated nor has Anglo American or the National Union of Mineworkers taken firm steps to see that justice is done. While women working underground are especially vulnerable it is part of an overall situation where most women report sexual harassment at the workplace in South Africa
http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/opinionista/2013-08-01-who-killed-pinky-mosiane/#.UfniGY03ByU
Rebecca Davis, Of Good report. sugar daddies and Vavi
While reviewing the unbanning of a film previously banned as provocative, the author relates some of the issues raised with regard to a relationship of unequal power to the recent allegation of rape against Zwelinzima Vavi, General Secretary of COSATU. The allegation was withdrawn in an internal grievance process of COSATU. But even if one accepts that that ends the question of rape, which is doubtful, Vavi admitted to having a sexual encounter with a woman who was an employee in COSATU and thus dependent on him for her employment and any possible promotion. Hence this was an unequal encounter and raises questions about the character of consent, if it is given. This cannot be reduced to whether Vavi is unfaithful to his wife, nor to conspliracies to drive him out of COSATU. Davis briefly alludes to the way in which patriarchy plays itself out in the work place
Niki Moore,Anatomy of an assassination
Political assassinations are becoming a fairly routine part of political life in a number of provinces and many of the victims are alleged whistleblowers exposing corruption in the provision of housing and other basic rights. It is part of a broader subversion of constitutionalism and widespread resort to violence to implement private goals, albeit as leaders at various levels of the ANC.
http://www.dailymaverick.co.za/article/2013-07-31-kzn-anatomy-of-an-assassination/#.UfkmfhbH0y5
Raymond Suttner 