The K.E.E.P. Newsletter #13
Loesje:
“99,99% of what happens is not on the news!”
The past week was another hectic one for me and the Garden Route (even if you didn’t realize it).
In the Knysna Council meeting, COPE and the ANC walked out. The Ward 10 meeting had no teeth and found our Acting Municipal Manager, Lauren Waring, utilizing newspeak (i’m not giving up on it and hoping that residents and Councillor Richard Dawson will give the Committee an active push). In Plett, the DA lost on 6 accounts with their court case against the ANC. I previously reported that the taxpayer will lose half a million but i’ve been informed it’s likely to be double that. Congruently, i published a letter by an angry, political lass in Plett which has landed me with praise and criticism (but not much in between). I extended an olive branch of understanding [i hope] to 2 journalists but had another threaten to sue me this morning. Coincidentally, i drank coffee and had lunch with 3 lawyers today (which was not only good timing but nice of them considering that my bank account is in the minus only 3 days into the month). I had an interesting chat with someone in-the-know which is likely to lead to an expose (but i need to get my ducks in a row for this big one). Crime continues to soar in the newspapers as well as in my road where my neighbour had an attempted robbery at 10.45 in the morning.
I sat in a pub for the rugby on the weekend, drinking my thoughts and a beer which became a poem saluting the brave businessmen of our fair town. You survivors are truly remarkable! I was happy for you when i saw kids and holidaymakers in town today, enlivening the sidewalks and adding zest to several restaurants.
It’s been an 18hr work day again. I have a million thoughts and not enough time to commit them all to action. But here are some for this week…
MEDIA BIAS ON THE GARDEN ROUTE
“In case you didn’t notice, let me draw your attention to the fact that Carte Blanche removed the insert on Bitou from their Website. The CEO of MNET assured me she’s sending the team back after she watched all the footage! We have a right2know THE TRUTH. I’ve witnessed your bias and read your twisted stories since you started reporting for the Herald.” – www.knysnakeep.org/media-bias-on-the-garden-route.
ALAN WINDE AND OUR ECONOMY
This is a response to Alan Winde’s hypocritical speech about the economy and the DA’s plans for it. If you don’t know who Alan Winde is, you should because he has the power to influence the negative or positive future of Knysna. He is the Western Cape MEC of Finance, Economic Development and Tourism which makes him probably makes him more relevant to our town than any other politician outside of the President and Premier. He also comes from Knysna… – www.knysnakeep.org/alan-winde-state-of-the-western-cape-economy.
PLETT’S DA SPEAKER (AND THE PUBLIC) LOSES BIG TIME
Johan Brummer, the controversial Speaker and DA Councillor for the Plettenberg Bay Municipality, applied for a blanket interdict against local councillors (although his focus was really against the ANC). He also applied for an interdict against Municipal Law Enforcement. Judge Cloete delivered his judgement yesterday, September 28 2011. Result: Brummer lost on all accounts, making this a big victory for JEF (The Justice & Equality Fund), the opposing counsel. How is this relevant to Knysna? What happens politically in Plett, our neighbour whose a scant 30km away, can affect us. The political situation in Plett has been a media circus much discussed in Knysna. Instability, if allowed to continue, will spread. Plett is one of those places that has the ability to become the spark that starts the fire in South Africa. I have no desire for a Garden Route afire. I prefer flowers… – www.knysnakeep.org/pletts-da-speaker-loses-big-time.
SALUTING THE SMALL BUSINESS OWNER
The greatest tragedies of the Recession can be found in small towns like Knysna where so many are struggling to survive. It’s also where the greatest braveries can be found. Forget, for a while, empty shops and windows screaming, “For Rent!” Instead, think on those who are working their arse off to hang onto their business and keep a roof over their family’s heads. Being a business owner takes more courage than taking a salary ever will. Let’s admire, sympathize with, and support these individuals of oak who we, without, would not have a town at all… – www.knysnakeep.org/saluting-you-the-small-business-owner.
I looked after my landlord’s wonderful dog, Vee, the past 9 days. Give her a rub, play with her ears, repeat “good girl” and give her a biscuit is all it takes to make her the happiest dog i’ve ever known. I wish more people were like her. Anyone want a rub? 🙂
Wicked Mike
Consider Subscribing (link on menu bar)
View Email Newsletter in Your Browser
I have told you before I don’t work within the structures you believe are important. More importantly I don’t have my eye on the public purse. I share your stated objective in making a difference. But like the people you criticise you take criticism and debate as an attack and you do not answer questions either. You work your way around them. You avoid them. What is the difference between you and the DA? Does that brand you as a liar too?
You claim to be obsessed with the welfare of people, to have been obsessed with music, yet you brush aside Nidhi’s initiative as irrelevant. Why? She is doing something for “people”. She has given them exposure. Just as the Living Local programme is working for “the people”. Projects going to the root of the problem. But because they don’t serve your personal agenda you dismiss them with contempt.
Take a step back. Question your objectivity as others will do. You are not so different. Sadly you are still hung up on the colour and political divide you speak of and that I am afraid is what gives it a voice. You are taking sides and are merely part of the malaise.
What is the solution? Why not start with Nidhi and the Drummers instead of all the Brummers.
You speak more of the same yet with no effort and the only reason why i address you, for the last time, is because you brought Nidhi from the Drum Circle into it. I applaud her. Her good idea was never in doubt in the comments above. First, you claim her initiative as the DA’s to score a point against me. I corrected that falsehood and say that it was her idea and pointed out that my issue with the DA is bigger…not belittling Nidhi but trying to get the issue back to the DA. You twisted my words to make a point which you don’t have. I have deliberately not mentioned your business here despite your attacks under different names in the past. I can only assume that it remains in trouble. There is a bitterness in you that was not there when i first met you. It’s grown considerably the past couple of months. It dismays me because you’re an individual i liked. You have over a hundred websites registered. Register one more and make an effort instead of lazily belittling and venting your frustrations here.
Mike take a close look at Johan Brummer who you have said so much about. He allows his emotions to get in the way of good sense. Similarly your coverage of “events” is clouded with emotional irrelevance and personality issues. Why do you always apologise when introducing the bad guys from the other side? Why can you not hold views? Why can you not separate fact from hearsay? Why can you not present your arguments without taking sides?
It concerns me that you have allowed yourself to be sucked into the systems disinformation machine and branding yourself as another loon. Not everything the DA does is wrong. Why have you not got around to mentioning the DA led Recycled Band competition? This I would have thought would be something close to your heart? But no, not even so much as a murmur. You keep on mentioning the perilous state of your finances. Are you waiting for the ANC to pass the butter?
Sorry about that. But I get a little uncomfortable with one sided, ongoing and unconstructive criticism.
This is a blog. It’s created because i am passionate/emotional about Knysna. Until the DA deals with the bigger issues, i won’t let up. I’ve experienced their lies first hand. They need to sort those first. We are talking about our lives, issues far greater than a “Recycled Band” competition which, by the way, was motivated by the Drumming Circle…the DA beats their own drum.
I’m making a real effort that is consuming, tiring and economically devastating. I deal with politicians, municipal workers and the public on a regular basis regarding real issues. I attend the Council meetings, i went to the first Ward 10 meeting this past week – where were you? Where are you in any of this? In my blog as an armchair critic?
In the past, you’ve call me bias, a loon and implied i’m crooked. You are so incredibly one-sided and that attitude, prevalent amongst so many in this town, is what will continue to hurt this town. Steps have to be made to cross the colour and political divide. We have to start holding hands and searching for common goals if we’re to save our country.
I’m not going to debate this with you anymore. I tried but it’s been pointless. I may be emotional but i also write an incredible amount that does present food for thought. You will take those hours of work and in seconds, with a comment, say they worthless. You choose the easy route. It is a cowardly route. Instead of being a destroyer, find another platform elsewhere where you create. Go do your best to make our town a better place.