Marikana: A Definition Of The Democratic Truth.

On the 16^th of August 2012 South Africa saw one of the most tragic protests which lead to the death of some 44 people. What occurred in Marikana wasn’t an accident but a fatal tragedy that knocked South Africa and shook the world.

Last week the disputed protests for salary increases from the Miners Union was shrugged off by the state and considered an ordinary demonstration as per usual. The Lonmin mine was no exception to the state and the government’s rightful intolerance of the matter lead to civil dispute in the North West province.

Miners from the Lonmin Platinum Mine decided that a union demonstration would resolve the issue regarding salary increases but it would later backfire as a capitalistic attempt to democratically force Labourites back to work. The miners unlawfully demonstrated with sticks and machetes attempting to frighten off any authoritative figure that wished to intervene and it was at this point that death would meet their fate.

Armed police officers were sent into Marikana to disperse unrest by striking miners, many were kept under control for a durable capacity protecting those uninvolved. As the unrest became unbearable, teargas was hosed to disperse angry chanting strikers, despite this method being used; it saw the uncivil actions of strikers rebelling against the police and as a result struck back with live ammunition.

According to South African law, the constitution states that any union may perform peaceful demonstrations but it does not indicate that demonstrations may exercise protests with weapons of any kind. When live ammunition was fired at armed officers, it gave clear indication that action of armed defence be carried out immediately and indeed, accordingly, the police released an army of gunfire against miners killing 36 people.



Courtesy of the London Evening Post



Prior to the tragedy, two police officers and three miners were killed on 13^th of August in dispute over pay and it has been speculated that officers sought revenge in retaliation to their force members being brutalised in this way when as a form of civil duty to the community they were only doing their job.

The devastating result of the miners strike saw the intervention of South African Trade Unions protesting against workers pay, siding with the Miners Union and blaming the state and authorities for the “mass killings” of 44 strikers and leaving 78 wounded. The consequences put much spotlight on South Africa. Media attention from all over the world saw that the government of South Africa had lost control. State broadcasters and independent networks aired the tragic shooting on the evening news leaving the nation in absolute shock.

The South African President declared a week of mourning for the entire country. Up and down the country, flags flew at half-mast. The devastation inflicted has caused an inquiry to be opened due to international pressure. It has also seen the price increase of platinum across the world rise rapidly.

An inquiry as to whether or not the police force were unlawful in their actions or whether they were carrying out orders on civil grounds to break dispute at its best. For many, irrespective of one’s ideologies, there will always be a dispute somewhere in regard to how systems are run in the state of South Africa.

Trade Unions are disgraced by the middle-class for their violent methods to negotiate positively. The South African Police Service is considered weak for not protecting citizens and not doing their jobs properly. The government is considered stable but remain scrutinised for not delivering basic services as well as not practicing the constitution accordingly.

Indeed it was righteous that the police carry out this method of action as a defence mechanism to protect citizens from such inconsiderable danger. It was indeed regrettable that families have lost loved ones but it has taught unions a vulnerable lesson which instead of crediting a policy for which only a few will gain will teach unions not to exercise power they do not have. It also teachers unions that irrespective of their relations in a work force that only a democratically elected body can decide who governs who and what is necessary for a democratic state. The South African Trade Unions are slowly acknowledging that strikers across the country are getting tired of striking unnecessarily resulting in unrelated forces putting them out of work indefinitely or even penalties such as the Lonmin strike.

The Marikana strike wasn’t a massacre in any form whatsoever, it was merely a union fighting for a wage increase, the police involved were not out to kill, they were carrying out required action according to the law which protects citizens as a method of defence, the police in any case would’ve been blamed if mass killings by unions had lost control and spread out across the province and hence, the police were doing their job as was necessary and should be applauded. Unions are to acknowledge that while they are persecuting jobs they cannot fight for them either. The Lonmin mine has threatened that if workers do not return to work shortly that they will be fired indefinitely.

Chad C Rensburg

A Return To A World Of My Own - Hello Again!

It's been quite some time since my last post, and this is because I've been extremely busy with my life. It's 2012 and since January of this year there has been a change in lifestyle. So far I've managed to retrieve a new sense of compassion on a completely different level following the same path but with a different approach. I've never been one to make concessions and indeed I won't, there's this strange taking for which I feel that there's a nauseating stench of appeasement in the air, something of which I detest with a passion and therefore I won't change the approach but I'm happy to challenge it if I have to.

I've sadly missed months of blogging and so I'm going to have to update you on what has happened recently. Well' to start off, I visited Cape Town in January and I have to admit that I had a peaceful stay at Dolphin Beach. In February I started college which happened so suddenly after believing that my gap year was still ongoing, nevertheless, it's self duty thus I am fully prepared for it. In March I became truly overwhelmed by the amount of work given both at college and within the establishment. I managed to keep up to date on those civil matters. During that month I was still busy on Chapters 5 and 6 of my novella which by the way is coming on nicely now, I'm quite impressed myself. In April I spent a few weekends in Johannesburg for inspiration regarding the book, I also managed to put in a bit of art work which I have been missing out on, sadly it's just drawings and shadings. I still miss painting but again, I need to find time in doing anything of that sort. In May I was left devastated because whilst my family were paying tribute to my late uncle who passed away last year my Aunt in Durban suddenly passed away the following day, that day being Mother's Day and therefore it became a fortnight of sadness and pain for many. In June I was preparing for one of my exams after which I two week holiday was in order, though, quite boring as it was I am pleased to say that I need that break to recover as much as possible.

Now it is July and I am happy to inform you that in the weeks ahead I will be back at college, finishing off my novella and I will be planning ahead for my 22nd Birthday in October, I am also planning a trip abroad for December but I cannot reveal where I am going just yet, what is certain is that it's somewhere in the Western World. I am also expecting some good news within the next few weeks regarding my brother who I haven't seen in over two years now, I don't express my feelings let alone my emotions so I rarely speak about my family to anyone, but I'm pleased to say that I have a family even though many assume that I'm a complete loner in this world.






A friend of mine reminded me recently of a mock-up blog discovered by someone else at college where I was depicted as a sovereign of some sort, I was pleased to endorse the creativity of it, I don't remember where the blog is now, I gather it's on the internet somewhere, I'll have to search it and then I'll post it. After getting a glimpse of that blog, it motivated me to post EMPIRE which is a series of power, loyalty and defeat. It was created in 2007 during the horrendous case of the Bernard Files which I released to the Dutch public in November before I returned to South Africa.

EMPIRE was indeed a diary of thoughts and fiction known to me and indeed an invited few of whom the enemy Bernard was depicted as a cruel and duplicitous traitor against our secret empire. EMPIRE didn't really end even after my graduation, in fact, today it is still discussed between myself and those who remembered the work we put into it.

Carolina who is one of the few in our secret society is an upcoming journalist in Portugal doing television, she and I update each other all the time. This was our first and last picture taken on our day of graduation from high school in the Netherlands, it was both our dreams to become journalists and although we both are doing journalism in our countries we both intend to succeed and meet again some day, hopefully soon that is. I still miss her even though I don't show it, I just realised, despite the lighting in the picture that my hair used to be red.

I hope to be blogging again shortly.

Chad C Rensburg

Port Elizabeth, EC, Republic of South Africa

We Won, We Won, I'm Ever So Proud Of Us

It's been an amazing few weeks prior to this election, I can safely say that my party of which I along with other DA friends campaigned hard to get my constituency, on Wednesday the 18th of May 2011 the election began, at 12:46pm I casted my vote after waiting in a queue for over 2 and a half hours with a mild cold it was 22 degrees so the weather helped and I needed to get out the house for some fresh air anyway, the next day at precisely 6:00am I was informed that the DA won an overal majority in my constituency, I was tremendously proud of not only my achievements in this election but those who supported the party, despite the fact that the nation didn't turn entirely blue but green I must say that the opposition (DA) did her very best in gaining and retaining seats desired by the ANC to overtake, luckilly not a single target of DA territory was takenover by the ruling party but a significant amount of constituencies across South Africa as ANC saved seats were voted in favour of the opposition, indeed, the ANC were left in tears where Midvaal, Baviaans and Cape Town were concerned, they were so confident they were going to take these areas but failed, for the first time I must say that they didn't point any fingers at anyone else but themselves making it clear that they failed minority areas of the country

The 2014 General Election will probably see the DA come to major power, hopefully forming a government, for the next two years I have to help build up this nation once again but not by the acknowledgement of using the class system, we have to move beyond those stereotypes, instead we have to really join hands as one nation, a nation we can all be proud of, right now I have to say that we're not yet great, once we've joined hands we'll be the greatest nation ever but if we persist in pointing fingers, blaming one another on race, money, "the right society", class and top jobs then we won't be able to move on as a matured and stable democracy

I'm sincerely proud of the voter turnout in South Africa during this election, I would like to thank all South Africans who participated in this election, I need to encourage the youth alot more for the general election because we seriously need their help the most but I'm going to come down to their level and make them feel alot more comfortable, I will also do the same with social and lower-social class citizens who are earning a living as well as those who can't I do sympathize for them but I can't help them unless they help themselves in voting for a party that's prepared to help them, right now it's visible the ANC can't help anyone, the reason they are voted often is not because of their values or manifesto but their history and the fight for freedom of which has been achieved, nothing else since their success in giving South Africa freedom has happended since 1999, Thabo Mbeki was the start of our problems and hopefully Jacob Zuma will be the end of our problems when he's succeeded by Helen Zille and I truly hope that she does with the help of South Africans and the blessing of God because my goodness South Africa NEEDS her badly.

Chad C Rensburg
Port Elizabeth, EC, Republic of South Africa

I hate Valentine's Day & I'm broke

I hate February, I never seem to understand why two people are expected or required to celebrate one day of the year on their love for one another, I mean it gets quite boring because I ask myself why can't everyday be Valentine's day? Seriously, we don't need a specific day to show our appreciation to love and happiness and if you're expecting a gift because it's Valentine's day then it's not a relationship based on love or trust but a relationship based on expectation involving what one could buy, I mean it would be shameful for anyone who tremendously cares about love and happiness to buy it with luxury and expensive gifts, it's like saying in order to make friends one must buy them something to bond, it's literally buying friendship and anyone who agrees to it or accepts such an offer isn't exactly a friend but someone who know's you're a complete walkover, however, I would only celebrate Valentine's day it truly was deserved on the basis of love, trust, appreciation and a bond of friendship for life, in this case I doubt it, there's too much deception that is committed in the world on the grounds of love and trust, men don't know how to stay committed to one woman and there's also woman who do it too by deceiving partners, having affaires and whatever else they do and what for? It cannot be love, it's obviously just company, I'm actually glad I've never been committed, I'm even more glad that I've never had a relationship with anyone because I'm waiting for the right person and at the right moment, I believe fate will do it's cause later in the near future but who knows? Anything can happen in that time, for all I know nothing might come of it but yeah, I couldn't really care that much, I've never really had a real friend in my life, most of my so called friends are only my friend because they want something from me, they think I'm blind but I notice everything because if I cannot offer them anything they're never around afterwards, I also have family that do this to me as well and they're family!!!

Anyways, I getting prepared for my trip to Johannesburg at the end of the month, I'm actually going to travel from Johannesburg to the capital, my lovely city of Pretoria, I want to explore the Union Buildings (Parliament of South Africa) because I've heard all these rumours about the grounds on which the building is based on and all these superstitions dating back from the second Boer War, but yeah, I'm not really into the whole if you do that this will happen saga It's so boring, of course I've seen the Union Buildings when we've driven past it but never have I literally stopped to observe the building even though it's actually very beautiful

So right now, it's a beautiful Sunday morning, it's 25 degrees the sun is shining and I'm here writing this, as well as, I'm broke so there's no point in going out, but, the reason I'm broke is due to my well-being and what I've been doing for the greater good even though it's never appreciated, although I have actually got money I'm not going to spend it because the money of which I'm supposed to spend I was pushed into a heavy dilema with my family of which a desperate member who shall not be named needed a loan of which I was called on every member of my family because apparantly I know how to budget (obviously in this case not) anyhows, I decided I might as well hand it over which I did but I wasn't happy about it, after that the member who borrowed it wasn't to be seen again, not a call, not a drop in, not anything but what I do know is that next month they'll know where I am and would play all nicey nice to get me to give into them, it's always the case in my family, and it's strange because three quarters of my family are of major opulence and the rest, well, they're not so fortunate but hey they can survive I mean they're affordable in terms of what they need I mean they're not poor or anything only that 15% of my family are very pushy, I don't wish to offend them but they're however on the outside looking in whereas I am on the inside looking out and I can see that they want that too but I have to be honest, my life really isn't that special so when one hears about how fancy I apparently am or how wealthy I am and that everything in my life is perfect I just want to laugh majorly because it's not, it's because of wealth that it almost destroyed my reputation, it took away my confidence to make real friends and if my family honestly believe that I owe them simply because I haven't seen them in over 16 years then indeed I'm not going to repent in those 16 years I was merely trying to get a good education and succeed, of course I'm still on the verge of getting my bachelor's degree in journalism and later in political-science, I'm still in my innocent gap year so I might as well just take it as it is but in terms of doing what others say simply because they think I owe them then they should think again because it's never going to happen

As for my recent change in establishment I have decided to call on a new one since my arrival here in South Africa, yes, indeed, I'm to appoint a new financial adviser as well as appoint a new private/personal adviser before the end of March the Plattenberg Office will also see new changed in the establishment of which I am head of but nevertheless I am flexible so I'm not going to change my tone but I will change the rules of this establishment, I will introduce more protocol even if it means that my family have to addapt to and yes it will be achieved because I'm very optimistic about the future and I never give up until I've achieved my motive in goal and committment.

Chad C Rensburg
Port Elizabeth, EC, Republic of South Africa

I'm weak, so I'll criticize others!

If there's one thing I hate about the perception of South Africans it would have to be their poor sense in fashion, although as a South African myself I've seen a lot of people who look absolutely stunning and fashionable but sometimes I spot stunning people who have just have no fashion sense what so ever and it seriously annoys me to the extent that I frown at them in public I couldn't care less if they approached me and told me not to or asked what's wrong, indeed, I would tell them without a shadow of a doubt what's wrong with them

Yesterday it was 35 degrees here in Port Elizabeth and I decided to take a walk to my polling station to register, BIG MISTAKE, it was almost a mile and a half away, on the map it looks for flat in terms of walking distance, little did I know that I would be walking up hills and down them, nevertheless, I got there in the end and I was feeling rather nauseous and I think the IEC people noticed it when I had arrived, before I walked in I saw some very welcoming people outside I didn't know who they were and frankly couldn't care, anyway, after I registered I came out and noticed that the people outside were members of my party so I walked up to them offered my hand and we had a lovely chat and that's when it happened, due to the heat and very little breeze I was talking for one moment and the next I fell to the ground, yes, I had a sun stroke, something I've had in the past but not like this, I felt dizzy my eyes were tightening and I couldn't take it I just said "I'm sorry to cut you short but I have to do this" and down I went but luckilly they were extremely helpful, I was offered seat and some water and my dear fellow DA (Democratic Alliance) friend who I had just met on the spot was happy and willing to take me home which of course he did, he was shocked by the distance in walking that I took just to get to Tippers Creak in order to register he assured me that I was definately passionate about the party and that I really would go to all lengths just to register, indeed I would too, anyway, I got home and rested my mother not shutting up about me having the sun stroke repeatedly saying "You're so anorexic, you've got to eat my child, you need to put some weight on, this is why you're collapsing low nourishment, less nutrients" but even so, I'm well nourished and moreover I keep in good shape it's not as if I'm abusing my body, no offence to those who are not thin especially in "Fat South Africa" if you want to frown down as thin people simply because they're not fat then go ahead, at the end of the day it's not me who's going to die aged 31 or 40 if I'm lucky due to obesity? I'm just trying to promote a healthy lifestyle to everyone because I don't want to see 10 year old kids overweight and the thought of them reaching to the age of 30 with heart failure just kills me with emotion because it's just not right in the slightest, I don't care about "fat in culture" that is just wrong but if people honestly think that you've got to be fat to be rich then that's their choice, I'm just suggesting the right way out, children especially, I'm not saying they should go cold turkey but they should be monitored everyday with what they eat, less sweet treats, more fruit and vegetables, less takeouts more nutriteous home cooking whether it be pizza, pasta, whatever, you can see what goes into the food and you can decide in portion what is right and what is suitable, portion everything to the limit even on serving plates don't simply place dishes in the middle of the dinner table and say "let's dig in" because one can never be sure how much a person is consuming whereas if you dish the right amounts of food on plates for all the family or for yourself then you can see for yourself if you get my logic, although I'm not really complaining I'm just suggesting these options as a gesture

Anyways my days in politics are not over, in fact, I would say they've merely even begun, however, I'm getting there, slowly but surely, I'm very optimistic and I will never ever give up on the Democratic Alliance, enough about them for now. My cousin is returning home from Johannesburg, yeah she totally jacked in her job after facing discrimination, I don't know how this possible but according to her it was this way, I don't ask questions anymore, my family come from a background of complainers all the time, even I get annoyed with them though I still love them hahaha, anyways yeah, so she'll be back here hopefully starting a course or getting a new job if so I want to work besides her then because I've got nothing to do these days in my own spare time, my things still haven't arrived from Netherlands, our furniture is taking a lifetime to reach this place and I don't know if I can take the strain anymore and by that I mean getting my things, I mean seriously, there's alot of sentimental value in most of the things I have, okay, okay all the things I have and I appreciate the things I have, I'm one of those who doesn't like to let go of things very easilly, yeah I know but it's a bad habbit these days with prices going up the roof it's difficult to hand things over or throw things away, obviously I don't collect garbage but I do file all my papers, my writings, I've even written a book, it's in a box somewhere on some ship heading my way I'll have to find it first but nevertheless I'm not going to let go of it I want to publish it later on in life when I've added the last chapter, but yeah, I'll just have to wait and see I suppose with what comes of my life.

Chad C Renburg
Port Elizabeth, EC, Republic of South Africa

The Election Is Coming To A Near!

It's almost February and the election is coming to a near, I'm getting very nervous about the outcome of this marvelous election which I'm hoping will be a positive one for the opposition who need to get into government and change things for the greater good of this country we all know as South Africa, so far the IEC has announced that this will be the logo set for the 2011 Municipal-Elections, it's not that bad a logo but it's not very influential in terms of grabbing the voters attention in terms of registering to vote, it's rather a simple logo if you ask me, it looks something like this....

It's a start I suppose, but who knows whether or not the electorate are prepared to go out and register, people no longer feel the need to do it because they're not willing to vote on matter that won't be seen to, but most people often vote the same party because of their ideological factors and history and by that I mean the ruling ANC (African National Congress) it's a party unprepared for public
responsbility in terms of infrustructure, agriculture, finance, housing, education, health, economy and enviroment, they've failed on water allowance an most importantly the need of electricity to all South Africans, however, you do get the odd citizen who steals such resources but what can you do hey? the government doesn't do anything, the police are useless these day they often turn a blind eye to the subject but the quicker the DA gets into power the sooner the police get back into tip top shape again and a dependable government will be there at the end of the day to see things through and to do their bit or should I say our bit to help the people of those this most devoted country that I share a passion for and love

This is me, yep, Chad Rensburg for the youth of my constituency, based in the Port Elizabeth constituency of the Eastern Cape municipality, I'm rather proud to serve my own city of which I was born in, indeed, I've still got so much to learn from my political peers and so much to do in regard to those who matter the most to me and my party

Indeed I'm no one special, I'm not heading for the office of presidency of anything, I'm just doing my bit to enable that people are able to confide in a party they believe in and a party that is prepared to help them as much as they can, I believe in the Democratic Alliance, I believe they can do so much for my country and I will never give up on them, despite the situation, I'm not one to deceive, yes, I know, politicians always lie but I'm new at this and yeah I probably will lie when I'm in the job in about 20 years time or so, however, what I'll lie about wouldn't affect the people nor their judgement, I couldn't deceive the people who elect or have elected me, it doesn't seem fair, no. it isn't fair, it's like bully tack-ticks and it's so not worth it, I'm very sensitive and vey emotional even though I don't show my emotions in public and I don't intend to do so either, I'm not really into the whole celebrity take a snap of me crying for the tabloids, I've never been brought up that way even if members of my family have been in the media spotlight (no names mentioned of course) but nevertheless, I am my own person and my own persona I shall remain and be because that's simply just me I suppose

Today I'm feeling rather inspirational, I know nobody reads this but it gives me something to do in my free time so I don't mind writing about it, in fact, I love it because writing is a passion I love to share with everyone even if they don't like it, but then again it's never really been about what people think of me, I couldn't care less unless it's nice of course hahaha but even so, people who judge me often just passes through my mind like it never even occurred, anyways, today I'll be at home sorting out things for this election in referrence as to what I'll be doing naturally, no one will be at home except me and the maid

Anyways that's basically it for now, I might be back later (smiles).

Chad C Rensburg

Port Elizabeth, EC, Republic of South Africa

I've Joined The Democratic Alliance

I received my telephone call at half past two in the afternoon, I of course diligently was overwhelmed by the thought of becoming a member of the Democratic Alliance, in fact, I was asked to come into the DA Offices in central Port Elizabeth of which I replied positively, the moment I put the telephone down I went to change out of my clothes and put something more sophisticated, a typical Chad Rensburg thing to do is promoting myself in an organized figure which of course I did optimistically without fail

After I got ready I waited for my lift from a friend who was willing to take me into central Port Elizabeth, as we drove into the city an overwhelming amount of memories threw me with my childhood and history, places and streets I hadn't seen in over 15 years brought back so many, many memories I felt immensely proud to call myself a Port Elizabethan (a citizen from Port Elizabeth) well anyways, as we drove into Clyde Street immediately the DA logo on the building caught my eye, I knew we were at the right place, I got out of the car, a few people stared probably thinking "who's that rich freak?" I walked in and immediately I felt such a warm welcome with a very friendly atmosphere, two very nice ladies were eager to help me find my way to office of the DA Profincial Leader I finally got there and then a little bit a political history was inclined upon, although the youth may not know who I am, I'm sure they'll soon catch on later when I'm around

I had a nice conversation with the Provincial Leader who's name I won't mention for political and private reasons had me signed up as a member of the DA, without any hesitation I filled in the form, paid my small fee, received my bill and card and off I went, although I felt quite proud as I departed the building with a serious look on my face but a beating heart as I knew I was finally a member of the Democratic Alliance of South Africa, and, for the first time in a long time I felt good to be a South African

After I left got into the car and off I went, actually I made a small detour and a stop off at the local Spar to get some fudge, what? It's addictive okay? I don't know why but I keep buying it and consuming lots and lots, the best place to buy it in Port Elizabeth is at Greenacres the Bridge, there's this amazing little home bakery store that sells typical South African delicacies ranging from soetkoekies, rusks, home baked cakes, ice cream, cooksisters aka koeksusters, and of course the infamous favourite fudge which is simply oh my goodness good, I mean it's like a crumbly coat with a tender soft, melting centre which is like I said oh my goodness good. Anyways back to me and the DA....oh yeah, so I made the detour and from there I went back home, I'm soon to make contact with my constituent who been serving my area since from what I gather before I was even born, soon I'll be attending conferences, debates and other matters that affect the people of South Africa

Now I'm home, I'm here drinking a cup of coffee, writing this and immensely proud to be a member of the DA, however, it's not all fun and games, I have serious work to do, such as seeking the attention of the electorate, doing my best to help them, guide them, advise them, and of course to listen to what they have to say because after all they matter the most because without them there wouldn't be a Democratic Alliance, we are more than grateful to their help and support, their vote and the delivery of service of which we commit ourselves to and it truly matters indeed, not just to me but to everyone, for a much more better and brighter future ahead we know it's possible with the correct motives when the DA is on board

Chad C Rensburg
Port Elziabeth, EC, Republic of South Africa