Achille Mbembe:
“Crime is fast destroying the moral fabric of South African cities
and is becoming a major threat to South African democracy
as well as the prominent manifestation of a class war
that is largely a continuation of the race war of yesterday.”

CRIME SURGE IN KNYSNA
I’m well aware of crime, having experienced much of it in Durban. I’ve seen enough blood. I know what it’s like to fear for my life. Once settled in Knysna, i was a realist and expressed to others that Knysna was simply ahead of the curve and that crime was inescapable due to socio-economics. People have gotten a lot poorer since then and more are abusing drugs. Crime, like an inevitable monster from a horror movie, has caught our beautiful town. So what is happening in Knysna? – www.knysnakeep.org/crime-surge-in-knysna.

ANC & COPE WALK OUT
Garden Route media bias continues with none, so far, having reported the ANC and COPE walking out of the Knysna Council meeting on September 29 2011. Unlike surrounding municipalities, there’s been a tight grip by the DA on information with few media willing to report both sides. Instead, a distorted version of events makes the rumour mill and does nothing to further truth nor the productivity of the Knysna Municipality… – www.knysnakeep.org/anc-cope-walk-out.

DA IGNORES THE LAW?
This serves as a follow up to the post entitled ANC & COPE Walk Out. Wanting to know the truth of the situation, i approached the Knysna Municipality’s legal advisers, Godfrey Reed and Melony Paulsen. Godrey’s response was, “(I) prefer not to respond to your query as I do not want to become involved in a media debate on the issue.” This is unacceptable as he did not have to contribute to debate but instead, simply, copy and paste the relevant section of the law (which would have been a fair, justice orientated action i.e. the law is suppose to protect, not handicap)… – www.knysnakeep.org/da-ignores-the-law.

KOOS KOMBUIS: WINDS OF CHANGE FOR THE ANC
Like the National Party, the ANC is underestimating the seriousness of the threat against them. They are not truly aware of the breadth and the depth and the scope of the dissatisfaction of the people on ground level. They have treated the question of the Dalai Lama’s visa application as a trifle, something unimportant, a little administrative matter, an irritation that would go away if they ignored it for long enough…. – www.knysnakeep.org/koos-kombuis-winds-of-change-for-the-anc.

INTERVIEW: THE ANC’S RALPH STANDER
We cannot solve the problems of Knysna (and South Africa) until we cross the divide and talk to one another. Armchair critics are more likely to cause damage than hot air. It’s difficult to have a true opinion about political parties, cultures and individuals unless you’ve listened and debated. I believe in action which has led to interesting, frustrating and educational chats with many. Some, like Ralph Stander (and Deputy Mayor Michelle Wasserman before him), will be introduced to you here… – www.knysnakeep.org/interview-the-ancs-ralph-stander.

I skipped my normal newsletter intro in lieu of the positive here which is that it was wonderful to see more people in the restaurants during this past holiday season. I hope that the owners paid off some debts and found inspiration to keep at it. December is just around the corner. Hard work, direct marketing, smaller menus and good food at good prices will get the best of you through.

Wicked Mike