Almost everyone in South Africa agrees that our country’s major challenge is poverty and unemployment.

Ons moet oorlog teen armoede verklaar, en met die stryd volhou totdat ons wen. Ons moet dit as vennote doen. Al drie regeringsfere moet saamwerk om die verarming van ons mense te verlig en te verminder.

We must declare war on poverty and we must keep up the fight until we emerge victorious. And we need to do it in partnership. All three spheres of government must work together to alleviate and reduce the impoverishment of our people.

Those of us who value our hard-won Constitution are gearing up to defend it against an all-out attack on media freedom. The Protection of Information Bill (which effectively criminalises investigative journalism), the proposed media tribunal (to make the press accountable to politicians) and the arrest and detention of journalist Mzilikazi wa Afrika form part of a dangerous pattern.

Die van ons wat groot prys stel op ons suur verdiende Grondwet, maak hulle gereed om dit teen 'n volskaalse aanslag op mediavryheid te beskerm.

Die “spitsberade” wat orals in die land deur die regering nou aangebied word, is die duidelikste teken dat die ANC met sy 2011 verkiesingsveldtog begin het. Die regering se inisiatiewe behoort niks met die ANC se verkiesingsveldtog te doen hê nie. Maar, in die een verkiesing na die ander, word miljoene rande se staatsgeld misbruik om die ANC se veldtog te bevorder.

The series of government “Summits” that have begun around the country, is the surest sign that the ANC has begun its 2011 local election campaign. Government initiatives should have nothing to do with election campaigns. But, election after election, millions in state funding are used to promote the ANC.

“I have often said that the media are a mirror through which we can see ourselves as others perceive us, warts, blemishes and all. The African National Congress has nothing to fear from criticism. I can promise you, we will not wilt under close scrutiny.

When The Economist labelled Africa “The Hopeless Continent” ten years ago, the magazine was suggesting that the downward spiral towards the failed state is inevitable in Africa.  We know it is not.

Toe The Economist Afrika tien jaar gelede die “Hopelose Vasteland” genoem het, het die weekblad aan die hand gedoen dat die afwaartse spiraal tot by‘n mislukte staat in Afrika onvermydelik is. Ons weet dit is nie so nie.