Corruption is the enemy… True, but… - 31 Jan 2012

By Rod Baker, general manager: content

Speaking at the launch of Corruption Watch recently, Justice Minister Jeff Radebe is reported to have said: "Corruption must be declared our enemy as apartheid was the common enemy for all justice-loving citizens." Well it's good that he said that, but isn't it a little regrettable that he - along with all the other ANC MPs in The House - voted in favour of the controversial Protection of State Information Bill? After all, just about every critic says the bill, as drafted, will help those with their hands in the cookie jar cover up exactly what Radebe reckons is the enemy. At least a couple of ANC MPs apparently felt they could not go with the prescribed voting line and weren't in The House for the vote.

On the sports front, it would be as well for those governing the various sports disciplines to bear in mind that sponsors - who often provide the cash needed to stage events, pay salaries and bonuses and so on - don't like it when there's a whiff of something "off" in how their monies are being handled. A case in point is CSA, which could lose its sponsor Sunfoil.

On the agricultural front, farmers are still getting it the neck for their alleged less than ideal treatment of their workers, according to a report that highlights the plight of farm workers.

However, to end on a much happier note (for we Capetonians, anyway): Cape Town (Surprise!) has done it again, and will have the honour of hosting the world's first interactive climate change centre, a project driven by the Brussels-based International Polar Foundation (IPF). Well done to all concerned.