Something is seriously amiss..

Article abstract from: The Mail&Guardian newspaper
Headline: "DA warns against pardon for Shabir Shaik"

After nineteen years spent living in South Africa, I find that it takes a lot to shock and disturb me. Corruption and bribery have become just another part of everyday life in South Africa and like me, many other people have learned just to accept it. There was a rare moment of justice however, when Shabir Shaik was convicted for fraud and sent to prison. It was a small step towards justice, but it was a step none-the-less.

In the article I found in the Mail&Guardian, I read that Shabir Shaik had applied for a presidential pardon as long ago as April 2008. Over a year ago, a convicted fraudster applies for a presidential pardon, and for over a year the rejection letter that ought to have been sent back to him has been left unmailed. What is the ruling party waiting for? There should be no debate whatsoever as to what should be done. The small bit of me that still cares and still longs for justice stirred.. for just a moment.. and then subsided back into the depths of realisation that there is virtually nothing I can do to stop it. I have become too complacent to care and too accustomed to injustice in South Africa to bother to lift a finger. If I am the youth of South Africa today, what of the children of tomorrow?

(http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-10-19-da-warns-against-pardon-for-schabir-shaik)

The prevelance of the 'status quo' in articles

Article abstracted from: Daily News:
Headline: “Drug mule mom finally home”

“I've paid my dues, I am stronger, and I have changed my ways for the better”, typically those are words of an ex rebellious, defiant adolescent. Was that a bold, unfair, stereotypical, statement? Truth is, if we did not live in a world that perpetuates the status quo, ideologies and stereotypes, the story of a drug dealer mom would not have made headline news.
Joeleene Phillips is a mother of two, who arrived back in South Africa on Wednesday after serving almost three years in a Brazilian prison, for smuggling 3kg of cocaine in 2006.
Somehow the status quo does not concur that a white, middle class, South African mother can be involved in drug trafficking. Even though Philips eventually admitted that she was aware that she was transporting drugs, society would typically blame the Nigerian boyfriend, who fled after her arrest, for luring her into this shameful, dodgy activity.
We have all figured by now, that news is influential on public opinion in a range of specific and measurable ways. Therefore depending on how the story is told, the quotes chosen, information presented and whose point of view is represented, the story may promote a certain point of view. The story has taken a sympathetic approach, highlighting on sensational and emotionally expressive phrases and quotes. The information presented is largely Phillips ‘moving’ opinions.
This re-enforces the idea of stereotyping ethnicity's, genders and class positions in society. To some extent, the act of Phillips was deviant from the usual societal standards and expectations. Therefore it is written in a remorseful, repentant manner. The images used also bind this suggestion. Because of these ideological subconscious ideas being reflected in this article, Phillips story may come as natural, accepted and preferred in society.

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?art_id=vn20091015104153497C578411&set_id=1&click_id=13&sf=

Images

http://gallery.iol.co.za/v/iolnews/Drug+mule+mom+comes+back+home+14_10_2009/

The not so Wonderful Wizard of ASA

Lying seems to have become a cliche amongst not only South African politicians but also her sports associates and bosses. Leonard Chuene , the boss of Athletics South Africa (ASA) is one who is perpetuating this stereotype as evidence has been revealed of his lies surrounding gender tests done on Caster Semenya prior to the Athletics World Championship. The Mail and Guardian article (http://www.mg.co.za/article/2009-09-18-semenya-saga-chuenes-trail-of-lies#comments ) called " Semenya saga : Chuene's trail of lies" provided evidence stating that not only did ASA conduct gender tests on Semenya prior to the Berlin Athletics World Championships 2009 but that the results were not what they should be, two facts that Chuene strongly denied. The Zapiro cartoon ( http://www.mg.co.za/zapiro/fullcartoon/2282 ) encompasses the 'saga' in a broader sense displaying a humorous yet blatant reaction to the actions of the Australian press , the IAAF and ASA whilst highlighting Semenya's innocence. Fittingly Zapiro plays on the Wizard of OZ, and yes this story could very well be a fairytale , that is a fairy tale with a gratuitous hermaphrodite and without the hero and happy ending. This cartoon highlights how each organisation by lack of a fundamental human organ has created a nightmare for Semenya , stressing their inhumanity. The bottom line amongst all the pointing of fingers and slinging of feces is that ASA lied causing Semenya irreparable damage and should meet the consequence of their actions. This virtue which could be recited by a five year old , has yet to sink into the skull of ASA.

Great footwork has no age

WARNIG: JOURNALISM STUDENTS EVERYWHERE!