How global economic crisis hit SA

Undoubtedly, 2008 would go down in history as the time that the economies of the industrial giants of the west, namely, Europe and the United States of America, floundered.

According to Andre Joubert, General Manager MWEB Business, most South Africans were saved by the National Credit Act (NCA). He pointed out that the irresponsible borrowing of the vast majority of South Africans was seriously curbed by the NCA.

He believed that was a very good step forward and may have saved us from the fate of the USA and Europe’s banking sectors and the resultant financial crisis. However, he reiterated that he thought that the high interest rates hurt us badly in all other sectors.

Although a number of commentators believe that South Africa has fortunately been spared the worst shock from the ongoing financial crisis, the country is still faced with many internal challenges. Unreasonably high-levels of poverty, unemployment and violence largely shape the political landscape.

Some political analysts like Aubrey Matshiqi ,believed that this global financial crisis had the potential of undermining the material gains achieved in the last 14 years. The recent service delivery inspired protests are a case in point.

The economy is not growing as it should. In fact it has somewhat slowed down dramatically. No new jobs are created. The hardest hit are those people without skills. The poorest of the poor. This cuts accross any social and class barrier.The recent strike by the public sector doctors shows the scale to which the recession has hit South Africa.

One of the people who lost his job as a result of the global economic crisis is Vusi Mabena, an employee in the metal industry, in Germiston, east of Johannesburg. Mabena has been employed at Scaw Metals for the last twenty years. The company had to lay off its staff because its export base was greatly affected.

The financial crisis has not only affected the working class, it has also hit the middle class in a very big way. Most consumers now realised that they have less money to spend on leisure, and with an increasing number opting that staying at home is the new "going out". Having more time and less money means that families are more determined than ever to spend wisely.
Among the middle-class to feel the pinch is Lucas Radebe, a former Bafana Bafana captain, who lives in the leafy suburbs of Jozi. He says he has chosen to rent DVDs than going to the movies. Take-away is now out of question and home cooking is the "in-thing.

Many high flyers have chosen to dispose of their expensive toys, like yatchs and private jets. Even the once glamorous celebrity couple, Khanyi Mbau and Mandla Mthembu, have had to give up their R100 000 rented penthouse in northern Johannesburg. They also had to for go their leased Lamborginis. How the mighty have fallen. No tears there.

Different strokes for different folk!

The country's constitution guarantees that every citizen is equal before the law. It also guarantees that a person is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Where am I going with this? Supersport, the major sports television channel seems to be applying different rules for its different presenters.

Joost van der Westhuizen, has been suspended by the TV station because of video that has been in the public domain for some time. In the video, Joost is shown in compromising situations. The station felt he might bring channel into disrepute.
Marc Batchelor, a soccer analyst at Supersport, was suspended because he was charged with assault. Another soccer analyst, Kenny Niemach, was also suspended because of fraud related charges levelled against him. I might also add former Kaizer Chiefs midfield genius, Shakes Kungwane, who was also suspended by the the TV station, because of credit card related charges.
Here is where I am going with this. Doctor Khumalo, another soccer analyst and former Bafana Bafana midfielder, is currently attending court cases, where his car collided with a minibus taxi and a few passengers were injured. This accident happened in 2007. He was allegedly under the influence of alcohol during this accident . But the man is still scheduled by the TV station. He is still on air. One would have thought that the TV station would have applied the same principle to all its sports presenters. But alas, some are more equal than others.

Lucas Radebe Off-side

The recent comments made by Lucas Radebe, a former Bafana Bafana skipper regarding the exclusion of Benni McCharthy from the Bafana squad must rate as one of the most outrageous statements to come from his big mouth.

As if he does not know that Benni was dropped from the squad for disciplinary reasons. Also, as if he is unaware that Benni has the tendency to choose games he wants to feature in. One minute he is injured and another he plays for his team, Blackburn Rovers. He behaves like some sort of a prima donna.

If Brazil, the FIFA 2009 Confederations Cup champions could afford to drop their superstars, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho from their squad, for poor perfomance, who was Benni anyway?

The sooner Benni makes up his big head about playing for Bafana Bafana and drops his gigantic ego, the better for everyone who loves our beautiful game.

The Bafana coach, Joel Natalino Santana, must to be bullied in picking players because of their reputation. Performance, talent and class must the basis upon which players are picked to play for that national team.