Mthatha Airport was upgraded for Nelson Mandela’s death

SPLASHED across page four of Tuesday’s Star newspaper was the headline "Mthatha Airport revamp ‘not linked to Madiba’".

The story centred on a quote from Eastern Cape local government and traditional affairs MEC Mlibo Qoboshiyane, who said of the recent airport upgrade: "We don’t know of any eventuality. What’s happening at the King Sabata Dalindyebo municipality is a part of a broader infrastructure investment." The "eventuality" refers to Nelson Mandela’s death and funeral.

That sentiment was mirrored by Freddy Pilusa, spokesman for Mandla Mandela who, speaking on behalf of the Mvezo chief, grandson of the former president, said: "What’s happening in the Eastern Cape has little to do with the old man and that eventuality."

It’s all palpably untrue, of course, disproved by a quick Google search that reveals, among other things, a May 2012 environmental management plan for the airport upgrade, commissioned for the Eastern Cape department of transport by Terreco Environmental. (http://www.sahra.org.za/sites/default/files/additionaldocs/Mthatha%20Airport_BPs%20EMPR.pdf) (Any industrious hard news reporters out there should put the management plan to the MEC.)

The introduction to that report contains the following: "This is a special circumstances project and it is understood that this project is being undertaken for the provision of infrastructure for the landing of aircraft at Mthatha Airport for a special circumstance which is of national importance and is related to the former president."

Later, on page eight, the report expands on this: "The primary objective is to provide a runway that will allow for air traffic of a more significant nature. That air traffic will be linked to the imminent high-visibility event and need for improved logistics and access to the final destination, Qunu. Significant numbers of heads of state and VIPs will arrive in a very narrow time slot due to this event and use Mthatha Airport as best alternative to the considerable logistical problems posed via road or rail to reach the destination. Mthatha Airport has clearly identified capacity restrictions that can be improved to overcome the risk of clear potential for an international embarrassment."

So, as Harry G Frankfurt would say to the MEC and the chief: bullsh*t. The renovations might serve a range of purposes but central to them is the ailing health of the former president and plans for his funeral.

Why is it that the government feels compelled to mislead South Africans about everything to do with Mandela? It seems incapable of being forthright about anything to do with him, be it his health or the necessary preparations for his death. Perhaps it is just incompetence.

It’s deeply patronising, as if the state sees the public as children who need to be coaxed in the right direction for fear they might break down in hysteria. And it’s ironic too, because those doing the manipulating have generally behaved like children themselves, squabbling and abusing Mandela’s condition for political and financial gain alike.

Here is a radical idea: just be honest. Everyone is desperately upset at Mandela’s condition but, likewise, everyone knows that death is one of the few unifying truths of life. The least Mandela’s political handlers can do is recognise that death, like life, must be embraced. And how you embrace it says everything about you.

http://www.bdlive.co.za/opinion/columnists/2013/07/11/mthatha-airport-was-upgraded-for-nelson-mandelas-death

...

British Intelligence 'birdwatchers spied on Nelson Mandela's hideout'

British intelligence operatives "posed as birdwatchers" to spy on Nelson Mandela's ANC hideout before he was arrested, it has been claimed.

Denis Goldberg, a white communist and ANC bomb maker who was detained in the surprise raid on Liliesleaf Farm by South African police on July 11 1963, said he believed a number of intelligence agencies including the British and Americans were monitoring.

"We believe that there was a British intelligence agent in the nearby caravan park," he told an audience at a 50th anniversary event to commemorate the raid. "Everyone thought he was a birdwatcher because he would climb up a telegraph pole with binoculars every day.

"But I think we were the birds he was watching."

Mandela and fellow ANC leaders used Liliesleaf, the home of a white sympathiser, to plot their armed rebellion against the apartheid government in the early 1960s.

Mandela, who had been forced underground because of his illegal political activities, was arrested in August 1962 at a police roadblock in KwaZulu Natal.

Ten of his contemporaries, including Mr Goldberg, Walter Sisulu, Govan Mbeki and Ahmed Kathrada, were arrested at Liliesleaf almost a year later with documents which saw all of them, including the already detained Mandela, prosecuted for sabotage.

Mandela went on to serve 27 years in prison before becoming South Africa's first black, democratic president in 1994.

The CIA has long been suspected of providing information that led to Mandela's detention.

But the possible involvement of the British security services has rarely been mentioned.

Mr Goldberg's claims are backed by Nicholas Wolpe, the son of another Liliesleaf detainee, Harold Wolpe, who now runs Liliesleaf as a visitor centre and has researched the events leading up to the raid extensively.

"A woman living near to the caravan park was a great birdwatcher and she reveals always seeing two guys up a telephone pole with binoculars," he said. "She only put two and two together after the raid."

But he added that none of the Liliesleaf arrestees thought the British gave them away.

"No British name crops up in the research I have done. If the British were monitoring what was happening, which I think they were, they were being very discreet about it," he said.

Ahmed Kathrada remains adamant that neither British nor American help prompted the Liliesleaf raid. "One of our own was arrested and detained, and he gave us up," he said.

Professor Sir Bob Hepple QC, a white South African also arrested at Liliesleaf who fled to England when he was released on bail, claimed there was some intelligence traffic between the two countries.

"We know that MI5 and the South African police collaborated," said Sir Bob, a Cambridge University law professor.

"When I arrived in Britain and had to claim political asylum in December '63, I was interviewed by a Home Office man who was clearly MI5. It was clear he knew things he could only have got from the South African police."

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/nelson-mandela/10169630/British-intelligence-birdwatchers-spied-on-Nelson-Mandelas-hideout.html

State Spent Millions on Nkandla Luxuries

Documents published confirm that at least R 52 million spent on non-security features

Nkandlagate: Documents confirm public spending on prestige presidential palace

Documents obtained by the Mail & Guardian newspaper confirm that millions of public money spent by the Department of Public Works on Nkandla relate to presidential luxuries rather than security upgrades as previously claimed by the Minister of Public Works, Thulas Nxesi (see here). These latest revelations add to the growing stockpile of evidence against so called ‘security concerns' used in attempts to suppress information regarding the spending scandal. 
The relevant documents, entitled "Durban Prestige Project A: Motivations and cost allocations", confirm public spending totalling at least R52 million on items that do not relate to security upgrades, R11.4 million on landscaping alone. Other items outlined in the documents that are indicative of gross excessive expenditure on presidential luxuries include:

• R160,000 spent on special lighting at the estate's "social node"; 
• R210,000 spent on a timber pergola over parking at the residential arrival;
• R500,000 on a tuck-shop and associated costs included in the same line item;
• R700,000 spent on paving between the residential terrace and other walkways;
• R1.4 million for a new kraal and related vegetation;
• R2 million spent on refuse-removal facilities;
• R2.3 million on parking space;
• R9 million on 6 roads in and around the estate;
• R10 million on costs associated to the construction of a helipad.

What is even more disturbing than the costs outlined in the documents, are the motivations provided for them. Many of the costs are justified in the documents as "enhance(ing) the estate to a Prestige Level". Other motivations for expenditures include "to create an African identity which enhances the experience for visiting Heads of State", "to assist with a sense of arrival" and "bringing the project in line with Prestige Projects". 

According to the Presidency there are two official offices for the President and five official residences - two in Pretoria and Cape Town respectively and another in Durban. These buildings are owned and maintained by the State to accommodate a sitting President and allow him to host official vising guests. There is simply no justification for President Zuma's private residence at Nkandla to be upgraded to this extent. 

I will write to the committee chair, Mrs Manana Mabuza, requesting that all of these documents obtained by the Mail and Guardian be placed before the Portfolio Committee of Public Works for scrutiny. If necessary we will request that National Assembly rule 138 be invoked to summon Minister Nxesi to appear before the committee to explain the spending.

The DA also continues to await response to our appeal of the non-response to the PAIA application to gain access to the Task Team Report. Given the evidence set out above, it is clear that the "security concerns" argument can no longer be used to justify it being withheld from the DA and Parliament.

The DA will continue to do everything in its power to ensure the truth about Nkandla is revealed and that those responsible are held accountable, regardless of who they are. This scandal is now reaching a tipping point - if Minister Nxesi has nothing to hide he would be well advised to stop his relentless cover-up. 
http://www.politicsweb.co.za/politicsweb/view/politicsweb/en/page71654?oid=389914&sn=Detail&pid=71616

World-class African city? You're kidding

The City of Johannesburg's claim that it is a "world-class African city" 

 "Imagine a city where you can rest assured, knowing that it is financially stable ." 

 "despite the economic downturn" and was 

"saving the environment" through various 

"energy-efficient interventions".

"Can you imagine living in such a city? You do. These are just some of the City of Joburg's many significant achievements," 

But complainant Steven Haywood dismantled the claims. He said though the city claimed to be financially stable, it had, in fact, received three qualified audits, its waste-management service provider, Pikitup, was bankrupt and "leaves refuse lying in the streets for days", and the Johannesburg Roads Agency was unable to repair the city's roads.

On the city's claim to be environmentally friendly, Haywood said electricity worth R1.2-billion and water worth R800-million were being lost monthly.

"The respondent has not disputed the allegation that it has received a qualified audit for three years in a row, that it runs high losses on, inter alia, electricity and water, or that its Pikitup service is bankrupt," it said.

http://www.timeslive.co.za/thetimes/2013/07/10/world-class-african-city-you-re-kidding

Selebi 'drowning in debt'

Former National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi's lawyer Wynanda Coetzee says he is battling financially, and will not be able to pay back the money he owes

Jackie Selebi won’t be able to pay the R17 million he owes in legal and medical costs, his lawyer Wynanda Coetzee said on Wednesday.  

This comes almost a year after the convicted fraudster was released from Pretoria Central Prison on medical parole. 

The former National Police Commissioner was released just a year after serving less than a year of his 15 year jail term for corruption. 

Coetzee says he is battling financially and will not be able to pay back the money he owes.

“There is just not enough money and he is going in arrears every month.”

Selebi who suffers from diabetes and end-stage kidney disease is still receiving his daily dialysis. 

However, Coetzee says his health is not improving and he cannot take part in any activities. 

She says anyone who claims they have seen him out and about in Johannesburg is wrong.

Meanwhile, the Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Dianne Kohler Barnard says Selebi is receiving preferential treatment.

“Every third or fourth month I ask what is happening and how far along this issue is, and the answer we get is they are still negotiating. I don’t think they would still be negotiating if it was you or me. They would take your house and you would be bankrupt but Selebi gets special treatment.”

http://ewn.co.za/2013/07/10/Selebi-cant-pay-his-bills#

Mandela Family Tree

http://www.news24.com/Multimedia/South-Africa/Nelson-Mandela-family-tree-20130709

Mandela battle: Mandla vs Makaziwe

Johannesburg - Aunt and nephew are pitted against each other in the high-stakes battle for leadership of the fractured Mandela family, City Press reports.

On one side is the former president’s 38-year-old grandson Mandla Mandela, the chief of Mvezo, and on the other his formidable 59-year-old aunt Makaziwe.

That there appears to be no love lost between them was glaringly illustrated this week by the family’s appointment of Mandla’s nemesis, Wesley Hayes, as their lawyer.

Hayes - Mandla's first wife’s attorney who has heaped shame and embarrassment on the young chief in reams of papers supporting numerous court applications throughout his bitter five-year divorce battle - represented the family in their bid to have the remains of three of former president Nelson Mandela's children returned to Qunu.

On Friday, City Press broke the news of how the family went to battle in the Mthatha High Court to have the remains of the deceased children Thembekile, Makaziwe and Mandla’s father Makgatho exhumed from their graves in Mvezo and reinterred in Qunu. 

Judge Lusindiso Pakade granted their request.

Mandla had their remains moved to Mvezo in 2011 and the family demanded their return, believing that Mandela was being made to suffer by the ancestors because of the actions of his grandson.

Ancestors

On Tuesday night, senior Mandela family elders visited the Qunu family graveyard to plead for forgiveness from their ancestors, after an "emotional and tense" family meeting.

On one side was Makaziwe, accompanied by her close friend, Public Service and Administration Minister Lindiwe Sisulu.

On the other was an isolated Mandla - with the entire family taking him to task for moving the graves. After the meeting, Mandla did not go to the family graveyard with the others but drove off instead in the direction of Mvezo.

Makaziwe, or Maki as she is affectionately known, was described by a family friend this week as a “petulant peacock”.

She wields a lot of influence in the family and vetoes many decisions.

Close family friends, who spoke on condition of anonymity, say that as the first daughter of Mandela’s first marriage, AbaThembu culture dictates that she preside over family meetings and be the one to make announcements.

"Since she is the eldest child of Mandela, she is known as 'umafungwashe' [the one by whom we swear]. Umafungwashe has to be consulted, even if she is married. There is no major decision they can take without her," the insider said.

"Mandla is the heir apparent, and he does take some decisions sometimes, but it has to be the eldest daughter who takes the decision."

As Mandela's eldest male descendent and the chief of Mvezo, Mandla is supposed to be the head of the family.

But word in the villages about 40km from Mthatha is that Mandla's childlessness is a further sign of the ancestors' displeasure with him.

'Abuse'

His marriage to Tando Mabunu-Mandela disintegrated amid allegations of abuse.

She also succeeded in having half of the more than R5m in his bank account frozen, including her share of the gift of R3m his grandfather gave him.

A source close to the family, opposed to Mandla's actions, said: "You cannot disturb people who are resting peacefully in their graves and expect no repercussions from the ancestors.

"Once ancestors turn their backs on you, you will have bad luck, struggle to find children, jobs or things like that," insisted the source.

"What is happening to Mandla shows that the ancestors are unhappy with the way he has carried himself."

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Inside-Mandela-battle-Mandla-vs-Makaziwe-20130630

Mandelas demand CNN funeral deal - report

Johannesburg - Makaziwe Mandela and her niece Ndileka held a sensitive meeting at the end of last month with officials from the SABC and the presidency over broadcasting rights for former president Nelson Mandela's eventual funeral.

The Sunday Independent reported that the meeting was convened to discuss the coverage of Mandela’s funeral, of which the SABC is the official broadcaster. However the Mandelas demanded that CNN be given “preferential” access and status throughout.

One of the officials that attended the meeting slammed the conversation as “inappropriate” coming from family members about a “funeral deal concerning one of their own”.

“We are aggrieved and understandably so,” said the official. “But there appears to be little we can do as the family appears to have their own plans.”

Another official said “this wasn’t a request. It was a demand. The CNN deal seems to be done and dusted”.

On Monday, CNN released a statement saying "there is absolutely no truth to the allegation that CNN has bought the rights to the Mandela funeral".

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Mandelas-demand-CNN-funeral-deal-report-20130707

Mandla Mandela Denies Family Rift

 Ailing former president Nelson Mandela's grandson Mandla Mandela has denied that there is tension between him and his aunt Makaziwe Mandela, The Star reported on Thursday.

Newspapers reported on Wednesday that he allegedly stormed out of a family meeting in Qunu on Tuesday.

According to the reports, he allegedly moved the graves of three of Mandela's children from Qunu to Mvezo in 2011, apparently without consulting the family.

It was reported that the family wanted the graves of Mandela's sons Makgatho and Thembekile, and daughter Makaziwe, to be returned to Qunu.

"Chief Zwelivelile [Mandla Mandela] has no issues with any authorised person in the family repatriating any or all of the graves," Mandla Mandela's spokesperson Freddy Pilusa was quoted as telling The Star on Thursday.

"Mvezo is the birthplace and traditional home of the Mandelas, and thereby lies its historic and heritage significance."

He said Mandla Mandela would not comment now on plans for his grandfather's burial.

The 94-year-old former president was admitted to the Medi-Clinic Heart Hospital on 8 June for treatment of a recurring lung infection.

The presidency said in a statement on Tuesday that he remained in a critical condition.

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Mandla-Mandela-denies-family-rift-20130627

Mandela Daughter Slams Media 'Vultures'

Johannesburg - Nelson Mandela's eldest daughter on Thursday slammed the "crass" media frenzy around her critically ill father, likening the press to vultures.

Mandela accused the foreign media of "a racist element" by crossing cultural boundaries and being a "nuisance" at her father's Pretoria hospital where he is on life support.

"It's like truly vultures waiting when a lion has devoured a buffalo, waiting there you know for the last carcasses, that's the image that we have as a family," Makaziwe Mandela told the state broadcaster SABC.

"And we don't mind the interest but I just think that it has gone overboard."

As well as staking out the hospital, journalists had also camped out during the family's visit this week to Mandela's childhood village, in the rural Eastern Cape.

"They violate all boundaries," she said.

"Is it because we're an African country that people just feel they can't respect any laws of this country, they can violate everything in the book? I just think it's in bad taste, it's crass," she added.

Privacy 

Updates on Mandela's health are strictly controlled via the presidency but this has not stopped hordes of foreign and local media flocking to his hospital, village of Qunu and his Johannesburg home.

Mandela said her father's status as a global icon did not mean that his privacy and dignity should not be respected.

"Tata (father) deserves his privacy and dignity and this family deserves that," she said.

"And if people say they really care about Nelson Mandela, then they should respect that, then they should respect that there's a part of him that has to be respected.

"It doesn't mean that everything of his has to be out there in the public. I don't think so, I don't agree with that."

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Mandela-daughter-slams-media-vultures-20130627