The Republic of Jacquelene

MODERN DAY SLAVERY ALIVE & WELL!

2013-10-21T13:00:00.000+02:00

Many of us believe that slavery is a thing of the past. Regrettably, that is not the case. It is estimated that there are roughly 29.8 million slaves in the world today (roughly the combined populations of New Zealand and Australia)! The estimated revenue generated by the slave industry is more than $32 billion per annum!

Most of the clothes we wear; virtually all computers, cellphones and other technological gadgets; the coffee we drink; the chocolate we eat (and many other foods) and numerous other products we use daily, contain components obtained via slave labour. The copper used in copper wire is also obtained via slave labour in many countries.

The Global Slavery Index for 2013 (http://www.globalslaveryindex.org/findings/?gclid=CMaPldnOp7oCFfMQtAodc34AHA#overview) has just been released and the results are shocking and sad, to say the least. Out of the 162 countries examined, South Africa is listed 115^th, with an estimated slave population of between 42,000 and 47,000!

Herewith please find an article, summarising the findings of the GSI:

http://www.moneyweb.co.za/moneyweb-africa/what-to-consider-when-selecting-a-fund-manager?sn=2009%20Detail

QUOTE

African countries top list of worst performers in global slavery index

Mauritania has the highest prevalence of modern slavery in the world.

(Author’s note: Although slavery was declared illegal in Mauritania in 1981, it was only criminalised in 2006/7)

Mauritania has the highest prevalence of modern slavery in the world, according to the inaugural Global Slavery Index, with 14 other African countries also among the 20 worst performers.

The Index, which will be published annually, is the first of its kind and gives the most accurate and comprehensive measure of the extent and risk of modern slavery, country by country, currently available.

Mauritania is ranked worst on the Index, with the highest estimated proportion of its population enslaved of any country in the world. The West African country, with its deeply entrenched system of hereditary slavery, is thought to have an estimated 150,000 slaves in a population of only 3.8 million. Benin, Cote d’Ivoire, Gambia and Gabon follow Mauritania in the top ten of the Index.

The research, which makes recommendations to policy makers in Africa and around the world, reveals:

Extreme poverty, conflict and traditional practices such as child marriage and hereditary slavery are all factors in the high rates of enslavement in many African countries.
Kenya is host to thousands of displaced people from neighbouring countries including Somalia, Sudan and Ethiopia. These migrants, often irregular, can be subjected to slavery like conditions. Also, Kenyans are known to have been exploited in countries overseas.
In terms of top performers, Mauritius ranks 143 out of 162 on the Index and leads the region in terms of stability and the protection of human and worker rights. South Africa is ranked 115 and is also singled out for praise by the report for its anti-slavery policies.

The Index estimates that over 29 million people are living in conditions of modern slavery worldwide. Haiti, a Caribbean nation where child slavery is also widespread, follows Mauritania in second place on the Index, with Pakistan in third. The report estimates that almost three quarters of the world’s slaves are in Asia, with 14.7 million in India alone and another 2.9m in China.

“It would be comforting to think that slavery is a relic of history, but it remains a scar on humanity on every continent. This is the first slavery index but it can already shape national and global efforts to root out modern slavery across the world. We now know that just ten countries are home to over three quarters of those trapped in modern slavery. These nations must be the focus of global efforts,” said Nick Grono, CEO of Walk Free Foundation.

“Most governments don’t dig deeply into slavery for a lot of bad reasons. There are exceptions, but many governments don’t want to know about people who can’t vote, who are hidden away, and are likely to be illegal anyway. The laws are in place, but the tools and resources and the political will are lacking. And since hidden slaves can’t be counted it is easy to pretend they don’t exist. The Index aims to change that,” said Professor Kevin Bales, the lead researcher on the Index.

UNQUOTE

If you want to see what impact you personally have on modern day slavery, why don’t you go and calculate your slavery footprint: http://slaveryfootprint.org/

Use the blue menu button on the left of the screen to fine tune your answers. I promise you will be shocked by the results! I thought I was a conscientious user, as I try to be environmentally friendly and all of that, but it turns out that 63 slaves are involved in manufacturing the things I buy and take for granted every day!

Please feel free to redistribute this information to raise the consciousness of people on the scourge of modern slavery.

Introducing the Amazing Miche Twins!

2013-10-01T15:16:00.001+02:00

My sincere apologies for my silence for the past three years. I fell off my surfboard! NOT!

Sasha & Rukia as babies

I became the proud parent of two super amazing Pomeranian puppies, Sasha & Rukia. They were born on Monday, 1 March 2010 and are the cutest little things you will ever see. Sasha and Rukia are sisters and were bred by my very good friend, Dr Louise Swart, from Gigi and Georgi. Sasha took after her dad, Georgi, and only weighs 1.5kg, despite being the oldest of the two. Rukia decided to take more after her mom, Gigi and is three times Sasha's size at 4kg! Here's a picture of my two little terrorists as babies:

Rukia was almost pitch black and had three white toes. Her colour has changed so completely now that you will hardly recognise her from her baby photos. Sasha kept her colour the same through the years, except her little black beard has faded to gold to match the rest of her coat- we iz sooo fashion conscious!

Sasha & Rukia with me

Every single day that these two little bundles of joy has been in our lives have been filled with laughter, mayhem, play and a little bit of murder now and then... Although they love each other to pieces, there is nothing like a good fight to keep live interesting. If one of them was sleeping on the floor and then decide to come and lie on the bed with me, they will first go hunt down where the other one is sleeping to see if she is OK and then find a place to sleep. I think the major problem in their relationship is that Rukia is an absolute morning pup! Sasha & I still want to sleep and then we get attacked by this crazy little maniac who wants to get up and go play in the garden. Heavens only know why she can't do this on her own... Sasha & I are also morning people - from yesterday's side! Rukia will enter her comatose state by 19:00. Sasha & I usually hit our peak at around 20:00. So, you can definitely see where the disjuncture is.


Rukia & Sasha with my mom after their grooming session

Once a month Sasha & Rukia go for their pamper session at their favourite salon, Le York Grooming Parlour. They thoroughly enjoy this, though they don't think much of getting bows in their hair! Sasha gets especially upset when they comb her fringe! The first thing she will do when she is released, is to come and mess her fringe on my arm, or the couch. The weird thing is that it takes real hard work for Sasha to get her fringed messed up. Rukia goes jungle bashing through the garden and it doesn't matter what you do, her fringe remains perfect.

Well, to properly introduce you to the two ladies in my life, here's a little profile of them, compiled by them:
Sasha:
Favourite colour: Pink
Favourite thing in the world: Sleeeeeeeeeeep & my blue blankie
Favourite game: Attacking my granddad and barking at him like a maniac
Favourite food: Bones!!!!!!!!

Rukia:
Favourite colour: Red
Favourite thing in the world: Tummy rubs!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Favourite game: Running around like crazy
Favourite food: Woolies Chicken
Now that you have met the two terrorists, I will regularly update you on their endeavours. I will also continue with my regular postings on whatever tickles my fancy.

Until later...

JC

Night Angel Trilogy

2010-03-04T15:31:00.000+02:00

My sincere and humble apologies for the recent silence. My 3G modem decided to sulk, so I could not surf and talk to you - or rather type to you. But now I seem to be back online, so let's hope I don't fall of my surfboard again... :-)

I recently discovered the coolest series of books that I have read in ages: The Night Angel Trilogy by Brent Weeks. The books follow the lives of a couple of street urchins, one in particular, who ends up becoming an assassin.

I don't want to tell you too much about the books, because the problem is that telling you anything whatsoever will at this stage act like a spoiler. Brent is excellent at unraveling plot, hatching plots, developing his characters and surprising you around every corner.

Suffice it to say that the Night Angel features: intrigue, assassinations, the seedy underworld of a town, hidden agendas, a bit of mythology here and there and of course - ROMANCE...

If you are looking for something good to ready, the Night Angel trilogy should definitely be your next coice.

I promise I will write more often again, now that my modem has decided to rejoin the land of the living.

Sad update:
Remember the street-kitteh from Designer Square - Squares? Well, apparently some drunken louts decided to catnap him a few weeks ago and now the Square is empty and lifeless without her. (oh yeah - I found out that he was actually a fixed she!) So, if you are one of the drunken louts - please bring our kitteh back!!! We miss her stacks!

If I don't talk to you tomorrow... Have a great weekend and indulge in as much fun as possible! That is an order directly from the Ruler of the Republic of Jacquelene!!! ;-)

Designed for delight!

2010-02-03T21:37:00.000+02:00

Thank you to those of you who took the time to take a gander at my blog. Why no comments??? Why only one follower??? Thanks, Munyaradzi!

I'm still having a few design and formatting problems, but will hopefully manage to sort these out soon and give you a much cleaner, leaner and meaner looking blog. So, feel free to browse around my little Republic and click on as many ads as you want. Remember, if you don't click on my ads, I don't get paid - which means that YOU will have to pay for lunch & cappuccinos!!! ;-P

In any case, on to something a little more delightful...

To those of you fortunate enough to live in Pretoria, you are probably familiar with Design Square - formerly known as Brooklyn Square. Nestled in the heart of Brooklyn, this little square is packed to capacity with restaurants and places to chill. From Tribeca to Cappuccino's to Ocean Basket to Nandos to Col 'Cacchio - you are virtually spoilt for choice. Plus, it also has a little Pick 'n Pay at the back, as well as a very good Look & Listen.

So, here's a quick rundown of the best things to do...
Cappuccinos
My absolute favourite place in the Square. With exceptionally cute, friendly, efficient and very helpful waiters. I'm not going to name any names, because it really is impossible to single any one of you out - plus I know those of you not mentioned would kill me the next time I get there! (Chill! Just kidding!) I have never had a single thing at Cappuccinos that was not completely delish! The cookies served with the cappuccinos (keep 'em coming, Collin!) can really lift your spririts. The veal pepe is devine. The pizzas & pastas, not to mention the R40-00 special on pizzas & pastas on Monday night, take me to heavenly places every time. The pinapple juice is in a category all of its own. Do not order the Black Mushroom starter though - it is DANGEROUSLY delish!!! Don't say I didn't warn you... Go and check it out for yourself. Tell them I sent you - it might score you an extra cookie!!! ;-)

Tribeca
Excellent coffees. Plus their shoe string chips are beyond devine!!! The service is somewhat slow though and I have actually seen a patron or two that died whilst waiting for their orders... Seriously guys, if you cook up your service a bit more, you might turn a nice spot into a brilliant experience.

Co.fi
Like totally the place to be seen, doll! Nice vibe, excellent music on weekend evenings and the food and coffees are really good. In a slightly higher price bracket than some of the other places in the Square...

Ocean Basket
Some of the best seafood to be had on land! The staff are very friendly, helpful and efficient. Aside from that, your special treatment of Squares has really made me love you! Get there early though if you want a good spot, as it is full-house most evenings!

Simply Asia
In a word - YUMM!!! Simply delish food! Little bit heavy on the garlic sometimes though. Chill, dudes - Pretoria has been vampire free for at least 50 years now... One of the best take-aways I had in a loooong time. Not necessarily traditional Chinese food, there is a fusion of many different flavours, all of which combine very effectively to explode deliciously in your mouth. Oops, now I'm hungry & lus...

Please support the library in the Square! The ladies there are super efficient, helpful and friendly. The book collection is quite good, but like with all publically-funded libraries it could be better. So, donate all those old (& new) books you have lying around the house. Especially the ones you got from people who completely misjudged your taste in reading material! I'm sure they would be willing to receive vouchers from book stores or money as well... Go on, do something for your community! By the way - its a good place to pick up cute guys...

Finally, on to my favourite person in the Square:
Squares
I don't know what his real name is, but the first time I met him - I totally fell head over heels in love. Squares, as I have named him, lives under the stairs opposite Ocean Basket and is the cutest little kitteh you will ever encounter in your life. If ever you wanted to see a real LOLCAT, he's it! Squares spends his day people-watching, being fed by mostly the people from Ocean Basket and being petted and fawned upon by just about everyone who visits the Square. If ever they want to design a mascot for the Square - Squares would be it! Please remember something very important though: Squares is still a cat and he needs to hide from people sometimes. So, if you approach and he goes to hide under the stairs, please do not let your children harass him while he is in his "safe" place, or do so yourself - otherwise Squares will take on a very negative attitude towards all of us who love him dearly. So, please treat our community baby with the love and respect he deserves! Or else I will personally come and bite you!!!

So long, and hope to see you chilling in the Square soon! Thanks for asking - yes, you may invite me for dinner and cappuccinos at the Square!!! LOL!

JC

Last Chance to See

2010-02-01T00:34:00.000+02:00

Some of you might be forgiven for believing that The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy was the pinnacle of writing by Douglas Adams. That, however, may only be because you have not yet read Last Chance to See. This book, in my humble opinion, is the book that Adams was born to write. The Hitchiker-series was but merely a warm-up exercise. Don't get me wrong though - it was a brilliant exercise nonetheless!

In Last Chance to See, Douglas Adams went traipsing around the world with Mark Carwardine to go and visit some animals on the verge of extinction, such as the kakapo in New Zealand (LOVE the name of that bird!), the lemurs in Madagascar (would looooove to go and visit them!!!), the komodo dragons in Indonesia (GULP!) and numerous other weird and wonderful creatures.

Although the book was orginally published in 1990, it has just been rereleased with an additional foreword by Richard Dawkins. Even though it might be somewhat dated, this book is amazingly well-written. This is Adams the literary genius stepping to the fore and exposing his prolific talent for all to see!

An updated version of the book, written by Stephen Fry & Mark Carwardine was released towards the end of last year. I still have to read this though and will give feedback to you later on the new book. In the updated book, Stephen and Mark retraced Douglas & Mark's steps from the previous book and have a look-see how these animals have coped in the mean time.

Aside from the wonders he achieved in sci-fi writing, Douglas Adams was one of the first celebrities to draw attention to the plight of animals being brought to extinction by humanity. He was a true environmentalist, in terms of loving the planet and the animals in it, before it became fashionable to do so.

Should you wish to make your reading of the book more meaningful, please feel free to make donations - either monetary or time-wise to the agencies mentioned at the back of the book. Please also make your contribution to the planet by making other people aware of the plight of the animals and plants.

Aside from reading it yourself, this is the kind of book that will make a change in the life of anyone who reads it, so please feel free to hand it out as presents. (See, I just saved you 5 minutes of pondering about birthday & xmas presents!)

Read & Enjoy!

Welcome to the Republic of Jacquelene

2010-02-01T00:13:00.000+02:00

Good day & welcome to my little space on the web. Citizenship to the RoJ is free to all who believe in freedom, truth and non-discrimination. What will you find in the Republic? Nothing but excellent writing, reviews of books, music, products and websites. You might, however, be subjected to my musings from time to time... Hey, its a democracy: One woman, one vote - I am the WOMAN and I have the vote! LOL! Hope that you will come back to visit me often... Or else I might get lonely and tempted to invade other countries, planets, blogs - whatever takes my fancy. See you 'round the blogosphere! JC