http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/ennoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Thu, 24 Jul 2008 08:01:11 -0500Blogger http://www.blogger.com715125This is an XML content feed. It is intended to be viewed in a newsreader or syndicated to another site.http://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/344548573/our-democracys-in-safe-hands.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Thu, 24 Jul 2008 07:16:04 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-3735555657741384974Our democracy's in safe hands... Many people have been overtly concerned about the prospects of a Zuma presidency, most notably because he is "beholden to his Communist backers" in the SACP and COSATU who, apparently, have led him to power. However, perhaps they should take a second look at the SACP's communist merits, if their most recent 'gala dinner' is anything to go buy. Far from sharing http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/07/our-democracys-in-safe-hands.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/343298783/blogger-update-as-you-may-have-noticed.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Wed, 23 Jul 2008 02:11:42 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-6390210093652354242Blogger Update As you may have noticed, I'm finding it harder and harder this year to post more than 2-3 times a week (except for this last week!). My work commitments have really taken a step up in 2008, and I will continue to post a bit more sporadically than I have done in the past. Please bear with me...http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/07/blogger-update-as-you-may-have-noticed.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/335279820/is-it-time-for-early-elections-it-does.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Mon, 14 Jul 2008 12:37:39 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-788755866461697086Is it time for early elections? It does seem like a bizarre proposal coming from me, but I'm beginning to see the logic of staging early elections given the paralysis that is rapidly engulfing our Presidency and Cabinet. With Mbeki's last remaining powers being rapidly stripped of him, and both his international and domestic standing laying in tatters, Mbeki has gone beyond being a lame duck, http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/07/is-it-time-for-early-elections-it-does.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/331492955/silent-war-on-africa-john-pilger-writes.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Thu, 10 Jul 2008 02:14:09 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-5753983121086467034The Silent War on Africa? John Pilger writes an interesting op-ed piece in the Mail & Guardian arguing that Africa's position is being actively kept down by Western powers, through agricultural policies, arms trades and convenient realpolitik. It's a well worn path this, and one which has to be balanced with the accountability and responsibility of Africa's governance by its own leaders. http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/07/silent-war-on-africa-john-pilger-writes.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/330605157/thabo-mbeki-down-and-out-mbeki-really.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Wed, 09 Jul 2008 03:42:30 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-7599885493061294775Thabo Mbeki: Down and Out Mbeki really has fallen on his own sword. A man once so respected internationally for his global diplomacy has become, in the world view, a thorn in effective diplomacy's side. Out of the recent G8 discussions, there have been calls for Mbeki to be replaced by a UN mediator, and a repudiation of Mbeki's calls for shared power. So frought has his position become, that http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/07/thabo-mbeki-down-and-out-mbeki-really.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/324691117/contrarians-unite-one-thing-ive-loved.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Wed, 02 Jul 2008 02:43:22 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-7830891314518029991Contrarians unite! The one thing I've loved about all the doom and gloom negativity that seems to envelop us every day in the media and around the dinner tables is how certain sage and calm people have responded with positivity and realism in the face of often hysterical pessimism. One such opinion piece doing the rounds is from analyst Mark Ingham, which I've included in full: June 24th 2008 A http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/07/contrarians-unite-one-thing-ive-loved.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/323062164/whos-got-suggestions-one-of-most.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Mon, 30 Jun 2008 02:35:17 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-1796599054022607508Who's got suggestions? One of the most frustrating things about the current Zimbabwean situation is that there's no clear path as to what to do to resolve it. It's incredibly difficult to isolate Mugabe without pouring more suffering on Zimbabwe's people, regime change is not on the table (if only there was oil...), and external pressure seems only strengthens Mugabe's position. A recent Time http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/06/whos-got-suggestions-one-of-most.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/321283598/thinly-veiled-threats-of-more-of-same.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Fri, 27 Jun 2008 07:07:12 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-7434236011392572332Thinly veiled threats of a 'More of the same" leadership Many people have spent the last year asking themselves what a Zuma presidency will look like, and it fascinates me how the public view of Zuma has turned from one of ridicule and contempt into one of sympathy and resignation. This has been aided both by a typical human need of introspective self-protection and of course, by the bumblings ofhttp://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/06/thinly-veiled-threats-of-more-of-same.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/321275347/thabo-is-reduced-to-leaks.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Fri, 27 Jun 2008 06:54:39 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-2944170981105320679Thabo is reduced to leaks... You know times are tough on Mbeki's Zim stance when he is forced to leak a seven year-old document to try to prove that he, at once stage at least, was able to voice an opinion on Mugabe. The document, leaked to the Mail & Guardian on Friday, illustrates a different Mbeki talking tough in a letter to Mugabe. He warns the Zimbabwean leader not to drive anyone away on http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/06/thabo-is-reduced-to-leaks.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/313578346/mbekis-back-attaches-to-corner-we.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Tue, 17 Jun 2008 01:21:57 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-1963561917125047917Mbeki's back attaches to a corner "We fought for this country and a lot of blood was shed. We are not going to give up our country because of a mere X. How can a ballpoint pen fight with a gun?" Thus endeth the Zimbabwe legacy for President Thabo Mbekihttp://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/06/mbekis-back-attaches-to-corner-we.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/311081566/what-ill-miss.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Fri, 13 Jun 2008 05:59:23 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-1524687673208110978What I'll miss... If there's one thing that I'm sure I'll pine for when Thabo Mbeki leaves office, it's his eloquence. Fast-forward three years and, even under the current quagmire of mass hate he finds himself in, I'm pretty sure we'll be casting a jealous eye back to our 'old' president's mannerisms, verbosity and sharp tongue. Compare: “Neither the honourable De Lille and Botha spoke of http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/06/what-ill-miss.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/308620575/thabos-last-chance-thabo-mbeki.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Tue, 10 Jun 2008 01:52:27 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-5707022437452493120Thabo's Last Chance Thabo Mbeki, humiliated by the world, spurned by the MDC and led by the nose by Mugabe, is making one last bid to save his legacy on Zimbabwe. As I write, Mbeki is mediating 11th hour talks between Zanu-PF and the MDC in order to build a negotiated settlement rather than face the prospect of the June 27th run-off. This ultimately, is Mbeki's original modus operandi, no big http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/06/thabos-last-chance-thabo-mbeki.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/305905668/some-courage-on-continent-whilst-mugabe.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Fri, 06 Jun 2008 02:23:01 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-5747161956581772296Some courage on the continent Whilst Mugabe uses food as a weapon once more, at least there is some courage from African leadership. Kenyan Prime Minister Raila Odinga yesterday attacked Mugabe and branded him as what he is: "a dictator". "As a pan-Africanist, I think that I would be failing in my duty if I did not point out that what is happening in Zimbabwe is a big embarrassment to the entire http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/06/some-courage-on-continent-whilst-mugabe.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/305108391/mbeki-giving-up-ghost-i-think-i-will-be.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Thu, 05 Jun 2008 01:34:11 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-9191601703513726847Mbeki: Giving up the ghost? I think I will be expanding on this in a ThoughtLeader post shortly, but all the signs of the last few months point to an internally combusting Thabo Mbeki. Careering from one badly-handled crisis to the next, Mbeki has lost all of his stately airs and pistol-whipping control that allowed him to gloss over such crises in the past. It really does seem that he is http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/06/mbeki-giving-up-ghost-i-think-i-will-be.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/301081405/balance-of-injustices-i-often-have-to.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Fri, 30 May 2008 02:31:44 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-3618916609786351087A balance of injustices I often have to raise an eyebrow at some decisions taken at municipal governance level, but this one is more jaw-dropping. There is a street in Amanzimtoti, Durban called Kingsway Road, where in 1985, a man called Andrew Zondo planted a limpet mine at a shopping centre, killing 5 people. Now, the eThekwini Metro Council, in all its wisdom, has decided to rename the http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/05/balance-of-injustices-i-often-have-to.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/296358349/motlanthe-escapes-it-seems-that-african.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Fri, 23 May 2008 01:38:39 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-9223113129423402332Motlanthe escapes It seems that African National Congress deputy president Kgalema Motlanthe has escaped the career suicide of cabinet - for now. Motlanthe, recently sworn in as an MP, will remain a back-bencher for the forseeable future. This gives him, and his high-powered backers, the time to monitor the situation with Jacob Zuma and have an 'on the ground' presence to challenge for the http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/05/motlanthe-escapes-it-seems-that-african.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/295302069/trouble-with-umshini-wami-i-must-say-i.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Wed, 21 May 2008 15:25:27 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-2577127805182802351The trouble with Umshini Wami I must say I did take some interest in Jacob Zuma trying to wriggle his way out of the fact that Umshini Wami, such a rallying call during his journey to president-elect, has become a rallying call during the xenophobic violence recently. While many of these thugs have been singing "his" song between belting some poor Somalian, Zimbabwean and/or anyone else in http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/05/trouble-with-umshini-wami-i-must-say-i.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/295285112/apologies.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Wed, 21 May 2008 14:58:55 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-3906279286571548031Apologies... ...for the lack of posting. I've been really swamped at work. Normal service to resume.http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/05/apologies.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/289253327/you-have-got-to-be-kidding.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Tue, 13 May 2008 02:16:56 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-3248994093738513857You have got to be kidding... NPA date blunder casts new doubt on Zuma trial I'm speechless...http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/05/you-have-got-to-be-kidding.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/288623326/mbeki-falls-away-this-really-is-sad-sad.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Mon, 12 May 2008 06:25:02 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-4731240372293801267Mbeki falls away This really is a sad, sad end for Thabo Mbeki, a once-proud international leader now reduced to the stature of a naughty pet no-one wants around. Over the weekend, the SACP failed in its bid to have Mbeki removed from office at the ANC conference, but more because that nobody seemed to think he was a real threat to their interests anyway. We also heard this weekend that Mbeki is http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/05/mbeki-falls-away-this-really-is-sad-sad.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/286016203/drama-in-vusis-office-well-were-finally.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Thu, 08 May 2008 06:09:36 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-7259003202457839294Drama in Vusi's office Well, we're finally getting proof that Vusi Pikoli's sacking was solely due to his refusal to obey orders from the Presidency not to arrest police chief Jackie Selebi. Now this has obviously been South Africa's worst kept secret over the past two years, and it's not surprising that Mbeki's having more trouble than usual keeping the lid on it, giving his current standing http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/05/drama-in-vusis-office-well-were-finally.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/285187583/is-bad-mood-justified-for-all-of-you.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Wed, 07 May 2008 02:06:47 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-9145750724371766324Is the bad mood justified? For all of you looking for guru analysts to lead you through the turbulent intellectual times defending South Africa at present, look no further than one of my personal heroes, JP Landman. Landman has been BOE Private Clients' (not that I'm one - it's available on the internet!) chief analyst on political and investment research, and his latest document rebuffs a few ofhttp://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/05/is-bad-mood-justified-for-all-of-you.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/280118860/and-now-for-something-completely.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:09:31 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-9171027617796264632And now for something completely different... Most of the time blogging on politics can be a very serious pastime, but every now and then there's something of (usually dark) humour. And so to today, where Western Australian Opposition Leader Tony Buswell has admitted to an allegation that he "sniffed the chair of a female staffer in late 2005"... Not that I'm for a minute dismissing his deeper http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/04/and-now-for-something-completely.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/279976283/help-send-on-of-our-sharpest-political.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:10:36 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-1134483932582588068Help send one of our sharpest political minds to Harvard One of our great political minds, Jonathan Faull (IDASA analyst), has been accepted to pursue a Masters in Public Policy at Harvard, and he needs your help to get there. Jonny is looking for interested parties to pledge to assist with the large tuition costs at Harvard. If you're interested in supporting quality political analysis and http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/04/help-send-on-of-our-sharpest-political.htmlhttp://feeds.feedburner.com/~r/TheFishbowl/~3/275304149/some-great-journalism-these-are-tough.htmlnoreply@blogger.com (Jonty)Tue, 22 Apr 2008 05:22:58 -0500tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5202718.post-7575350277492266459Some Great Journalism These are tough times for South Africa politically, both domestically and internationally, but it's unearthing some great analysis and journalism. Two examples of it are: Foreign policy begins at home ANC freed a genie it might not control Both well worth a read.http://jontyfisher.blogspot.com/2008/04/some-great-journalism-these-are-tough.html