Listen to Dr Mohammed Abdul of the Syrian Center for Political & strategic Studies talk about Syria.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Monday, July 2, 2012
Syrian Uprising
Listen to Dr Mohammed Abdul of the Syrian Center for Political & strategic Studies talk about Syria.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Israel's proposed draft law
We Learn More about the proposed Israel Draft Law - Friday, June 29 2012
Friday, June 15, 2012
Save our future
FORWARD:
I have spent the better part of the past decade as a career radio presenter and in this time I have had a front row seat of the current affairs of the world, particularly, the great land South Africa. What strikes me on this eve of youth day is how much of news is covered with poverty, inequality, pain and protest on this day. This piece is not meant to incite nor intimidate. It reflects the expression of my fears for us as South Africans and marks the pain of our actions as free people who claim to uphold equality, dignity and respect for human rights, yet continue to live a life that reflects the complete opposite. I hope that words alone can inspire us to be better and that true compassion can inspire us to do better...
-------------------------
How much more will this land endure ?
South Africa has been burning for two years and yet everyday she burns more - burning until the very last tale of her glorious history is vanquished.
The glory of that 'new' South Africa is so distant in memory that it is hard to accept it is only 2015.
When the tide of fury rose through this land we were frozen in disbelief but we were not surprised. This future was not an unknown likelihood - it was only we, living in the bliss of ignorance, that denied it.
When the violence began it was difficult to see its roots - it morphed and swirled among all the mighty colors of bitter pain, descending upon the infinite darkness of black smoke - merciless...
Foreigners were first, maimed and murdered - they flooded out of Africa's paradise in their thousands like blood oozing from a wound - but this was not Xenophobia.
Many South Africans fled with them until we were no longer let out.
In the farmlands the Boere fought the locals feverishly until their arms were emptied...they surrendered the lands.
The locals then turned on each other - each blaming the next and hating the other.
It was only in the winter of 2013 that we saw the true face of this tide - this was the 'class struggle'
People killed and bled, not for race, nor national pride. this was the fight for emancipation; the retribution of all our crimes against them.
Against the nameless, faceless poor did we inflict a pain so agonizing it was worse than the slow amputation of a limb.
Selfish; we basked in the glory of the tears and blood of past heroes - heroes who are the forefathers of this land's poorest...we claimed the victory against apartheid for ourselves and consumed the warmth of freedom alone.
We lived lavish in mansions and dressed in money, celebrating the splendor of the 'new' South Africa while in cruel arrogance did we rub it in the faces of millions of marginalized, poverty stricken, deprived and despondent families that suffered day in and day out, each year from one wretched winter to the next - without any hope or prospect of something better to come.
After the lands were purged of the foreigners and the battles with the Boere ended they turned on those of us who were forced into remaining here - the true mark of their anger - the fellow countrymen who rejoiced in Freedom day and Youth day for 17 years, ignoring masses of youth who were never freed.
Strangers walked into our homes and made us their servants - we now live in the zinc shanties...on the earth that not so long ago was our backyards. we now weed and sweep the gardens for others that live in the rooms that cradle our childhood.
However the people that rule are humane and descent...
This is not brutal supremacy nor savage discrimination. This is the the outcry of our victims - but what was our crime ? how could we have harmed a people we never knew ?
Power and greed need not act directly against the weak to hurt or harm.
Had we considered the nature of the suffering of our own, like we did the struggles of our others in lands so far...
Had we cared for the hurt and heart ache of these mothers and sons, like we did for our own...
Had we built for our countrymen what we dreamed for ourselves...
Had we been as sincere in our efforts for these communities, left cold, like we were for ours...
Had we understood their needs, no different from ours...
We are the perpetrators of the crimes we face, we cannot blame these people, who hold in their hands the mercy of our lives.
What crime was theirs, that we left children born to poverty suffering and hopeless ?
What evil did they possess that we punished poverty with the merciless flaunting of fame and fortune before countrymen, who like us, chance bore into economic positions not earned ?
The evil was ours... the crimes; our careless disregard and shameless inaction in their hour of plight.
The colors of the rainbow cannot be, without each other; each shade illuminates the next and when darkness descends upon one, it inevitably fills all.
These are sons and daughters of disparity, inequality and absent opportunity.
These are our sons and daughters - born to our pursuit; self-centered.
Had we appreciated the lessons taught by the death of apartheid, perhaps our own history would not have needed to teach it to us again...
We must now live with the hope of their forgiveness in equal portion to the regret of our blessed and privileged past, wasted only on personal desires instead of invested in others needs..
The crimes of these good people are the evils of our choices.
When the African bush burns, not even the birds, perched high upon the branches, are safe.
I have spent the better part of the past decade as a career radio presenter and in this time I have had a front row seat of the current affairs of the world, particularly, the great land South Africa. What strikes me on this eve of youth day is how much of news is covered with poverty, inequality, pain and protest on this day. This piece is not meant to incite nor intimidate. It reflects the expression of my fears for us as South Africans and marks the pain of our actions as free people who claim to uphold equality, dignity and respect for human rights, yet continue to live a life that reflects the complete opposite. I hope that words alone can inspire us to be better and that true compassion can inspire us to do better...
-------------------------
How much more will this land endure ?
South Africa has been burning for two years and yet everyday she burns more - burning until the very last tale of her glorious history is vanquished.
The glory of that 'new' South Africa is so distant in memory that it is hard to accept it is only 2015.
When the tide of fury rose through this land we were frozen in disbelief but we were not surprised. This future was not an unknown likelihood - it was only we, living in the bliss of ignorance, that denied it.
When the violence began it was difficult to see its roots - it morphed and swirled among all the mighty colors of bitter pain, descending upon the infinite darkness of black smoke - merciless...
Foreigners were first, maimed and murdered - they flooded out of Africa's paradise in their thousands like blood oozing from a wound - but this was not Xenophobia.
Many South Africans fled with them until we were no longer let out.
In the farmlands the Boere fought the locals feverishly until their arms were emptied...they surrendered the lands.
The locals then turned on each other - each blaming the next and hating the other.
It was only in the winter of 2013 that we saw the true face of this tide - this was the 'class struggle'
People killed and bled, not for race, nor national pride. this was the fight for emancipation; the retribution of all our crimes against them.
Against the nameless, faceless poor did we inflict a pain so agonizing it was worse than the slow amputation of a limb.
Selfish; we basked in the glory of the tears and blood of past heroes - heroes who are the forefathers of this land's poorest...we claimed the victory against apartheid for ourselves and consumed the warmth of freedom alone.
We lived lavish in mansions and dressed in money, celebrating the splendor of the 'new' South Africa while in cruel arrogance did we rub it in the faces of millions of marginalized, poverty stricken, deprived and despondent families that suffered day in and day out, each year from one wretched winter to the next - without any hope or prospect of something better to come.
After the lands were purged of the foreigners and the battles with the Boere ended they turned on those of us who were forced into remaining here - the true mark of their anger - the fellow countrymen who rejoiced in Freedom day and Youth day for 17 years, ignoring masses of youth who were never freed.
Strangers walked into our homes and made us their servants - we now live in the zinc shanties...on the earth that not so long ago was our backyards. we now weed and sweep the gardens for others that live in the rooms that cradle our childhood.
However the people that rule are humane and descent...
This is not brutal supremacy nor savage discrimination. This is the the outcry of our victims - but what was our crime ? how could we have harmed a people we never knew ?
Power and greed need not act directly against the weak to hurt or harm.
Had we considered the nature of the suffering of our own, like we did the struggles of our others in lands so far...
Had we cared for the hurt and heart ache of these mothers and sons, like we did for our own...
Had we built for our countrymen what we dreamed for ourselves...
Had we been as sincere in our efforts for these communities, left cold, like we were for ours...
Had we understood their needs, no different from ours...
We are the perpetrators of the crimes we face, we cannot blame these people, who hold in their hands the mercy of our lives.
What crime was theirs, that we left children born to poverty suffering and hopeless ?
What evil did they possess that we punished poverty with the merciless flaunting of fame and fortune before countrymen, who like us, chance bore into economic positions not earned ?
The evil was ours... the crimes; our careless disregard and shameless inaction in their hour of plight.
The colors of the rainbow cannot be, without each other; each shade illuminates the next and when darkness descends upon one, it inevitably fills all.
These are sons and daughters of disparity, inequality and absent opportunity.
These are our sons and daughters - born to our pursuit; self-centered.
Had we appreciated the lessons taught by the death of apartheid, perhaps our own history would not have needed to teach it to us again...
We must now live with the hope of their forgiveness in equal portion to the regret of our blessed and privileged past, wasted only on personal desires instead of invested in others needs..
The crimes of these good people are the evils of our choices.
When the African bush burns, not even the birds, perched high upon the branches, are safe.
Friday, December 30, 2011
Unfinished Business
Unfinished Business
The end of 2011 is upon us and as I reflect on the year gone by it becomes quiet obvious that this was a year that has seen tremendous awakenings and movements globally. It is however noteworthy that what began in 2011 has not been concluded. I believe that the events of this year mark the beginning of a change, similar to the Enlightenment of the 18th Century, which will eventually alter the state relationship with its citizens.
The global financial crisis which is centered around European financial affairs has had serious ripple effects on markets across the world. The failure to find an effective solution to the problem continues to hang like a guillotine over the neck of capitalism. With first world countries and their elitist rulers scrambling to save themselves from the worst impacts of the crises the situation is putting much strain on developing countries and their already poor populations. Economic struggle has always been an precious motive for revolt and dissent throughout history.
COP17, which was hosted in South Africa has been hailed a success and while it an event that has organized the outcomes of the summit were inadequate. The effect of changing whether patterns on rural farmers across Africa and South America as well as Asia will continue to deteriorate and with it will come less crop, less income, poorer households and struggling nations.
The Arab spring is far from blooming. While Egypt and Tunisia, the only truely successful revolutions still battle with change of power and political structuring the situation for the other Arab states is less impressive. Those regimes who have succeeded in crushing the uprisings still have to deal with the demands of their nations and while they may have won the first round the battle is far from over.
Lybia’s Nato backed coup has left thrown Lybia back into its 40 year earlier tug-of-war. Syria cannot continue along the current route without international intervention, the geostrategic importance of the country wont allow for that.
Iraq has seen an escalation of ethnic tensions since U.S withdrawal. The battles between the Kurds and Turks as well as Shia Iraq still continue.
U.S economic woes and foreign policy implications on its people are also more overwhelming than we realize, these will be more apparent as we edge closer to the presidential election in 2012. Immigration of Hispanics into U.S.A remains a dangerous encounter and the growing Islam phobia campaigns are also polarizing Americans. The U.S education system is riddle with dysfunction, while hardly any Americans believe their Health system works.
Latin America, while seemingly quiet has its own spill of troubles; the drug wars of mexico, generally lower economic growth poses a huge risk of social instability, the inability to maintain or install structural reforms are adding to the tensions and with upcoming elections in Mexico, Jamaica and Guatemala there are real threats of violence and unrest which could negatively impact policy also pose concerns of cross border relations.
A number of other regional and international issues to add to the list include, global occupy movements, high levels corruption globally, the rise of China, Russian politics, African governance and human rights as well as economic challenges, Kashmir, Afghanistan, disputes across the Balkans and the unprecedented scale of the many natural disasters which are the booby-traps of world politics.
Where it will all end we don’t know but there exist two possibilities in the road towards that; violent and brutal suppression of peoples either at home or abroad (to create the distraction) or reversion to politics of the people. While the former might seem more likely we continue to hope and pursue the latter.
Friday, October 21, 2011
Muammar Gaddafi
For as long as the revolution-come-civil war in Libya has dominated the headlines I have been unable decisively determine what my views and opinions of Mr Gaddafi are. As someone who does not believe in fence-sitting I have decided to make the first real entry of this blog about that subject.
I have seen, heard and read much about the personality and his views on the international platform as well as his modus operandi within his own country.
Let us start with Muammar Gaddafi; Libyan leader in the international arena.
There are many description of the type of man he was and I don't believe I can add anything new to the very man opinions. He was certainly a great individual who was emphatic about his beliefs and views. He was a man who promoted a free Africa and was outspoken against colonialism. his vision of a United Africa is indeed the most successful option for the continent, for the future. He financially and otherwise supported many African countries and he also stood firm in his beliefs and views on the world.
In light of his international presence he was undoubtedly a great personality with strength of character, unwavering and unapologetic in pursuance of this. Compared to many of his counterparts he was a great leader, few of which stand presently.
Gaddafi at home: The man has been described with such contrast across his country. He improved the lives of Libyan's and under him it's economy was robust. Literacy levels and the lifestyle of Libyans was indeed among the best. On the other hand he was cruel, harsh and brutal against anyone who was opposed to him. Many of his own government personnel have described the fear with which they lived while operating the country under him.
This makes him, for me, a man obsessed with power and control. A leader who lacked appreciation for democracy and whose agenda was not to serve the people but to rule them.
My conclusion is that he was an effective leader, but corrupted by power and also unfair and cruel.
Let us not forget that Muammar Gaddaffi was a man like everyone of us. Let us also not forget that his rule wasn't different from many other leader of our present world.
If we perhaps measure him against U.S presidents gone by, ie. Bush did his authority cause as much harm ?
Let us measure him against many other African leaders, was his rule much different ?
The Libyan operation which resulted in his death is by far no victory for a world crying for justice and equality.
The blaring images we were subjected to around his death leave, for me many questions about why he was killed, how he in fact died and most importantly whether or not Libya has achieved any great victory from his removal.
I have seen, heard and read much about the personality and his views on the international platform as well as his modus operandi within his own country.
Let us start with Muammar Gaddafi; Libyan leader in the international arena.
There are many description of the type of man he was and I don't believe I can add anything new to the very man opinions. He was certainly a great individual who was emphatic about his beliefs and views. He was a man who promoted a free Africa and was outspoken against colonialism. his vision of a United Africa is indeed the most successful option for the continent, for the future. He financially and otherwise supported many African countries and he also stood firm in his beliefs and views on the world.
In light of his international presence he was undoubtedly a great personality with strength of character, unwavering and unapologetic in pursuance of this. Compared to many of his counterparts he was a great leader, few of which stand presently.
Gaddafi at home: The man has been described with such contrast across his country. He improved the lives of Libyan's and under him it's economy was robust. Literacy levels and the lifestyle of Libyans was indeed among the best. On the other hand he was cruel, harsh and brutal against anyone who was opposed to him. Many of his own government personnel have described the fear with which they lived while operating the country under him.
This makes him, for me, a man obsessed with power and control. A leader who lacked appreciation for democracy and whose agenda was not to serve the people but to rule them.
My conclusion is that he was an effective leader, but corrupted by power and also unfair and cruel.
Let us not forget that Muammar Gaddaffi was a man like everyone of us. Let us also not forget that his rule wasn't different from many other leader of our present world.
If we perhaps measure him against U.S presidents gone by, ie. Bush did his authority cause as much harm ?
Let us measure him against many other African leaders, was his rule much different ?
The Libyan operation which resulted in his death is by far no victory for a world crying for justice and equality.
The blaring images we were subjected to around his death leave, for me many questions about why he was killed, how he in fact died and most importantly whether or not Libya has achieved any great victory from his removal.
WHAT IS GLOBAL OUTLOOK
Global Outlook is a current affairs program that features weekdays @ 16H00 on international satelitle radio station Cii Broadcasting.
The program is a current affairs shows that looks at topical issues around the globe.
This blog is an extension of the radio program, we will feature daily updates and discuss and debate various issues that spring from the show. It is an interactive platform for all visitors to use to express views and engage in stimulating conversation. We look forward to all your interaction and comments in the Future.
The program is a current affairs shows that looks at topical issues around the globe.
This blog is an extension of the radio program, we will feature daily updates and discuss and debate various issues that spring from the show. It is an interactive platform for all visitors to use to express views and engage in stimulating conversation. We look forward to all your interaction and comments in the Future.
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