SIGHTSEEING IN CAPE TOWN

SIGHTSEEING IN CAPE TOWN

Hermanus in South Africa is World renown for Whale watching, the place to which thousands of tourists return annually, to hear the cry of the whales and watch them bond with their calves after mating. False Bay, near Cape Town is another such site frequented by these giants, however just a few weeks ago some 55 whales had to be put down on Kommetjie beach on the West coast which is also only a few dozen miles out of Cape Town. Cape Town is the Southern most City in Africa and is the place where Jacob Zuma was sworn-in as president of South Africa just a few weeks ago, as successor Mbeki and Madiba -Nelson Mandela, since the fall of apartheid.

However, Whale culling activists of Cape Town has long taken a stand against culling of Whales by far-eastern fishermen for many-many years, yet other Cape Town inhabitants unceremoniously culled all 55 Whales mentioned previously. As such, sightseeing in Cape Town will never be viewed the same again. These 55 whales beached themselves for no apparent reason according to human understanding. The Sea Rescue Institute and the Dept of Environmental Affairs along with the Police and some volunteers relentlessly tried to return them to the sea. Those that they successfully re-floated, just re-beached themselves further along the coast. Bad weather, hampered the rescue attempt for several hours resulting in their eventual culling. More than 20 whales were returned to the sea, but it was a futile operation by all, as they were eventually culled like pigs.

A spokes person for the Dolphin Action and Protection group predicted that the whales would not survive the night on the beach and as a measure mercy culled them rather than risk their suffocation and the damage to their vital organs under their own weight. However the department of the environmental affairs was heavily criticized by wildlife groups for their decision to shoot the adults whales along with their calves. General onlookers flocked to see the spectacle and the public's intervention to prevent the euthanasia resulted in police action against them. But in the end, all 55 whales where destined to the local trash heap at Vissershoek after having loaded them onto trucks with front end loaders and tractors in the darkness of the night.

See my photo slide-show above of the botched Whale rescue. See them HERE! Sightseeing in Cape Town continues HERE!

JACOB ZUMA - PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA

JACOB ZUMA - PRESIDENT OF SOUTH AFRICA 

President Jacob Zuma just finished his maiden state of the nation speech, whilst the army and the police brass-band were in attendance, entertaining the crowds outside with the music and military performances in the streets of Cape Town, the city at the foot of Table Mountain. There were marches and motorcades as expected and lots of South African flags waived by school children from, all the provinces. Jubilation was in abundance.

President Zuma started off his speech by acknowledging his predecessors and welcoming all the political stakeholders present at parliament. Being the 3rd of the ANC aligned presidents, since the demise of apartheid, much promises of change were made which in the previous 10 years wasn't considerable and above all slow. Lets however just hope at least some of Zuma's promises is going to come to fruition, especially the promise of 500 000 jobs to be created by the turn of 2009. This statement was a bit presumptuous I think, especially in a recession, but then again, I'm not a politician.

The accountability of teachers and the zero tolerance for their misconduct especially molestation of pupils was big. The roll out of broadband services to rural communities was even bigger. But the new public holiday on the 18 of July the biggest - Mandela Day, in which every citizen will be required to selflessly give 67 minutes of their time for the betterment of their community in respect of the 67 years given by Nelson Mandela (Madiba) to South Africa. President Zuma has hopes that Madela Day will be celebrated globally.

President Jacob Zuma's hard core attitude towards safety and security will in future be headed under the banner "Minister of Police'' and corruption was promised to be nipped in the bud. The way I see it, non of that can effectively happen if those civil servants perpetrating these acts of alleged corruption are still at the helm. He speculated on police dockets disappearing resulting in those affected offenders never standing trial, he also speculated of identity documents supplied illegally by "Home Affairs" for a bribe, he even speculated on bribery to win tender processes, but once again its the same song with a new singer. Cybercrime was also on the agenda, especially identity theft, so script kiddies beware!

I loved the part that President Zuma himself will personally meet with principals of schools to determine the future of our educational system. Nice, but impractical. The way I see it, the South African constitution has failed its people on at least 3 fronts, the first is job creation and poverty alleviation, second the outcome based educational system has retarded its citizens and thirdly the lack of assistance and concern for divorce or single mothers having to raise kids and having to work to maintain themselves. Keeping in mind the children are our future, without a proper up-bringing (including a father) and proper education (not outcome based) who could even expect to secure a decent paying job (alleviating poverty).

Even though the poverty relief fund in the form of grants has sustained most of the poor, over the past 10 years, it takes a big chunk out of the state coffers, some of it could rather be used for skills development. Working on the premise

"give someone a fish, you fed him once, but if you teach him how to fish, you feed him lifetime"

it is a preferable option, but not a blanket option. I'm certain there are 100's of physically disabled persons who would prefer to do a days work and feel useful than accept a measly handout, after all they are part and partial of our society. Likewise even rural woman without skills who qualify for a grant would far prefer to learn a skill and do something constructive to maintain their livelihood than receive a measly state grant.

Anyway, good luck to President Zuma for the next 5 years, our citizens would love you to walk the talk not just talk the walk. Lead by example and become that change you wish to see in South Africa.

That reminds me, right after the speech, President Jacob Zuma cleaned some dust off the breast pocket of Max's (speaker off parliament) jacket. Way to go Zuma ... When you see something wrong, correct it, without being asked. Civil servants take heed!

For controversy CLICK THIS!

How to become  President!

If you find Sights of Cape Town interesting, I would really appreciate a reciprocal link, Thanx!

GODLESS CONSTITUTION | CAPE TOWN

GODLESS CONSTITUTION | CAPE TOWN

South Africa is probably recognised as the country with the most progressive constitution in the world. Sadly I have to confirm this as true. The leader of South Africa's African National Congress, (ANC) Mr Jacob Zuma, has just been officially elected the country's 3rd president by members of parliament since the demise of "apartheid" as we know it.

That's when benches in the parks were reserved for whites (like the benches in front of building on the left, enlargements below) and beaches were reserved for whites and buses where reserved for whites, and pavements were reserved for whites, and higher education was reserved for whites, etc, etc, etc...

Mr Zuma succeeds ex president Thabo Mbeki who succeeded our first president since the demise of apartheid, ex president Nelson Mandela- (Madiba). Our national election look some 72 hours to complete and if this time is compared with the results of the Zimbabwe's elections which took some three months or perhaps longer (I stand under correction) one can see the gusto with which the South Africans proceed. The ANC once again, have another five year stint of power, but not in Cape Town or at least the Western Cape. This just reminds me of the old saying, Power corrupts but Absolute Power corrupts Absolutely.

Many may not agree, but our constitution gives too great a liberty against the moral standards of the Bibles both Old and New, Al-Qur'an and the Bagvad Gita. I supposed against all the moral standards of all religions. The most vile in my opinion is abortion, some people call it a form of contraception, some freedom of choice, some call it down right murder all of which vehemently tugs at the moral fibre of our society.

The state of California in the Americas were the first to legalise gay marriages and S.A. soon followed suite, but California has now rescinded its decision and some 80 000 gays are up in arms about it. I cannot image what would happen here, if the plug was also pulled on gay-rights. Jimmy Swagart once said that "God should judge America for their perversity, because it He does not, He would have to apologise to Sodom and Gomorrah for what He has done to them".

Just a week ago the news papers were filled with issues pertaining to legalising prostitution and the distribution of free ARV's and condoms. Not a week goes by without an incident of teachers and learners committing adultery. Just prior to Christmas the prison system released some 20 000 inmates, only to arrest them all for committing crimes against the populous. Murder seems to be at the top of the list. These are just some of the issues of South Africa. Inherently our progressive Constitution protects the rights of the 'ungodly' at the expense and safety of the 'Godly'.

But hey, Cape Town is different from the rest of Southern Africa. The people are more laid back, they take time out to eat-out. There are restaurants abound, with arts and craft markets teaming with people. Late night shopping and flower sellers vending their wares until late as well. We have the Waterfront and Canal Walk shopping malls, the International Convention Centre, the Royal Cape yacht basin and of course Table Mountain the Eighth wonder of the World, Robben Island and so much, much more!

Further reading on these sites ....

http://www.controversy365.blogspot.com/

http://www.humanfacets.blogspot.com/

http://www.nerdytoys.blogspot.com/

Welcome to Cape Town, it is the place to be.

THE 8th WONDER OF THE WORLD!

THE 8th WONDER OF THE WORLD!

Cape Town is the southern most city in Africa and quite recently there was a discussion as to whether or not Table Mountain should be added as one of the wonders of the world. Personally, I don't think so, Table Mountain is that great (just joking), but the view from the top of Table Mountain, is really awesome. To describe the view to you, would be quite futile, as it wouldn't do justice to the scenery, but let me wet you appetite before I get to upload the pics. From a height of approx 1080 meters above sea level, looking some distance into the ocean one can see Robben Island, where Madiba (Nelson Mandela) and other ANC members were imprisoned during the apartheid era. To its left, but still on the mainland is Signal Hill, from where the Noon Gun is sounded daily. The the right you see the city bowl and the Waterfront with its recent extension housing an additional 50 stores and its first 6 Star Hotel.


The to the far left you can see the Twelve Apostles, they have absolutely nothing to do with the late Jesus Christ, but are essentially Twelve mountain peaks in close proximity to one another. Between Signal Hill and the Twelve Apostles there are often numerous magnificently colourful hang-gliders hovering over the city bowl and along the Atlantic Sea Board. The main attraction is the Cable Station with its rotating cabins suspended from thick cables which only takes about 5 minutes to travel from street level to the top of the mountain on which there is a relatively nice restaurant and a gift shop.

On some of my walks up the mountain path, specifically Plattekloof Gorge, I have encountered Lizards, Geckos, Spiders, Beetles, Snakes, Tortoises, Rock Rabbits and even young Buck. Should you be relatively fit, a walk along this track would take you a good two hours but it is certainly much more enjoyable and rewarding than a five minute ride with the cable car and a lot less expensive.

Have a preview at
Table_Mountain

controversy365.blogspot.com/

nerdytoys.blogspot.com/

humanfacets.blogspot.com/