FREELANCER/ACTIVIST WITHOUT BORDERS: AFRICAN UNION CEREBRATES 50 YEARS IN ANGUISH

FREELANCER/ACTIVIST WITHOUT BORDERS: AFRICAN UNION CEREBRATES 50 YEARS IN ANGUISH: UNION OF AFRICA HAS BEEN FAILED BY THE WESTERN INTERFERENCE by Activist Without Borders-Godfrey Mfiti Throughout its five decades of exi...

AFRICAN UNION CEREBRATES 50 YEARS IN ANGUISH

UNION OF AFRICA HAS BEEN FAILED BY THE WESTERN INTERFERENCE by Activist Without Borders-Godfrey Mfiti

Throughout its five decades of existence, the Organization of African Unity was criticized for its unwavering commitment to state sovereignty, regardless of the actions taken by ruthless dictators like Uganda’s Idi Amin and Zaire’s Mobutu Sese Seko among the few dictators who have butchered their own citizens.  

Upon efforts to prove unity the organisation attempted to form the United States of Africa with a single head of state in 2002.A proposal was made to have a supreme law for all African states.The significance of the Constitutive Act as the supreme law of the Continent, approved by all parliaments of the people of Africa, in meeting the challenges facing Africa today was emphasized at the public launch of the AU. 

" This Act represented a moment of hope for our Continent and its peoples, an unequivocal commitment to African Unity."Thambo Mbeko-Former President of South Africa wrote on his website.

Indeed if the African Union was to adopt a supreme law,respected by all its member states and ratified in their respective parliaments a dream would be realized. However in their respective states,African member governments have failed to respect their own constitutions and the rule of law.

As the African Union celebrates its 50th anniversary ,Mugabe, 88, warned that Africans are not as united as was expected by the founders of the AU's predecessor, the Organisation of African Unity, half a century ago.To echo his words,Pan-Africanism is crucial for our development on the continent and for the restoration of the dignity of Africa.

The founding father of the AU,Kwame Nkrumah said: "as long as we are divided by nation states, we will be faced with internal conflicts, we will be threatened with economic marginalization as we are now, and most importantly we will be threatened with lack of self-confidence and belief, and lack of the ability to solve our own problems." In 1963, expounding his vision regarding the Organisation of African Unity Kwame Nkrumah declared, “Independence is only the prelude to a new and more involved struggle for the right to conduct our own economic and social affairs; to construct our society according to our aspirations, unhampered by crushing and humiliating neo-colonial controls and interference".

Kwame Nkrumah had a vision of a United Africa,self reliant,independent from any western or eastern influence into its internal affairs.As we cerebrate the  Golden Jubilee let us take stock of the developments in the last five decades.Some observers think the interference of western countries into African affairs is failing the Union of Africa.

President Mugabe,a veteran leader of Zimbabwe argues that:"We really have not become integrated as an African people into a real union," he said. "And this is the worry, which my brother has, and the worry I have; the worry perhaps others also have. That we are not yet at that stage which was foretold by our fathers when they created this organisation."

Imagine a United States of Africa (USA)spanning Cape Town and Cairo as was proposed by Gaddafi in 1999 as a way of ending the continent's conflicts and defying the west.The idea failed to secure enough support from his African counterparts. Colonel Gaddafi had a dream of a single railway line from Capetown to Cairo where African citizens would travel without a passport into any African country using a single currency backed by gold.

One wonders whether,western powers were happy with this proposed unification of African states. Colonel Gaddafi invested in Africa more than any other leader in the recent history of Africa's coming into political independence.This angered Americans  and Europeans  who need access to the mineral resources in Africa  for them to remain viable powers in the 21st century.Observers say implementing that vision would change the world power equation and threaten Western hegemony. In response, the United States and its NATO partners determined “Gadhafi must go,” and assumed the role of judge, jury and executioner.

In February,2009,Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi vowed to pursue his vision of a United States of Africa, in his inaugural address as the new chairman of the African Union.

Col Gaddafi was elected by the heads of state of the 53-member union behind closed doors at a summit in Ethiopia.Wearing a golden brocade robe and cap, Col Gaddafi sat with the traditional African leaders who accompanied him at the front of the room, rather than in the seat for the Libyan delegate.

"I shall continue to insist that our sovereign countries work to achieve the United States of Africa," he said in his inaugural speech.

The AU normally relies on consensus in reaching decisions, but Col Gaddafi introduced what he described as the Islamic concept that "silence is approval,"Under this principle, at least two-thirds of AU leaders would have to actively oppose Col Gaddafi's proposals, rather than simply ignoring his ideas.

On 29th August,2008,prior to the summit he had invited a group of 200 traditional leaders name him the "king of kings" of Africa.

This notion of Gaddafi towards the leadership of the African Union became a threat to other African leaders who later opposed the idea of unification of Africa.South Africa made it clear that formation of United States of Africa was not their focus whereas Zimbabwe's President Robert Mugabe could not bear having a supreme authority over his territory.

Efforts by Colonnel Gaddafi to form the United States of Africa dates back to 1999.The fact that between 1999 and 2002 the Constitutive Act of the African Union was written and ratified is now history, and Gaddafi deserves credit for his leadership on this.

Upon his death,the AU  lost its most avid financial backer.  It is estimated that roughly 15 percent of the AU operating budget provided by member states came from Libya, in addition to Tripoli’s covering of dues for a number of smaller African countries in arrears.

However, serving as chairman of the African Union, Gaddafi contravened the African Commission on Human and People’s Rights. There was the execution of African migrants in Libya, and putting many on death row in Libya. Indeed, Gaddafi’s tenure as chair of the AU represented a low period for African progressives. His rambling and undisciplined presentation at the United Nations in 2009 was a poor reflection on Africa. But his presence in the USA was a result of a new alliance between the oil barons in the USA and the Libyan government. After the French government mooted the establishment of the Mediterranean Union to counter the United States in Africa, sections of the US ruling circles started to court Gaddafi. Since the visit of Condoleezza Rice to Tripoli, Gaddafi had been silent in his opposition to AFRICOM. In May 2006 Time Magazine said that George W. Bush and Gaddafi see ‘eye to eye'.

Some observers argue that Colonnel Gaddafi failed the progression of the African Union while others think the term of office for leadership of the African Union is too short to measure meaningful impact of success.

Later ,Gaddafi exposed himself very clearly when he called for the division of Nigeria along religious lines. Progressive Pan-Africanists condemned this statement and joined with the Nigerian people who reject this call for division. Nigerian youths and progressives will work to end religious, regional and ethnic manipulations. Religion, ethnicity and regional ideologies are not in themselves political factors. They become so in circumstances where the people’s forces are weakened. The call by Gaddafi is for the weakening of the people’s forces in Nigeria at precisely a moment when Nigeria should be building unity, peace and reconstruction was a serious set-back.

Such kind of behaviour from Colonnel Gaddafi showed loss of direction in  the African Union,since  westerners and most African states regarded him as a confusionist.

Africa is noted for its respect of notorious leaders,Gaddafi's defiance dates back more than three decades back when he  became the friend of the worst dictators. His relationship with Idi Amin, whose  regime murdered more than 300,000, stands out in this regard. The Libyan Arab Bank financed the ventures of Idi Amin’s henchmen and the Libyan army fought alongside Idi Amin’s army when Amin invaded Tanzania in 1978. This attack on Tanzania was an effort by Amin to divert attention from the struggle against apartheid and colonialism in Rhodesia and South Africa.

Some commentators belive Gaddafi is not to blame for the failure of progress in the formation of United States of Africa but  western powers failed Africa.

On 31 January 2010, Ngwazi Dr.Bingu wa Mutharika replaced Muammar al-Gaddafi as chairperson of the African Union after Gaddafi's attempt to run as the African Union chairperson for an additional year failed. Mutharika was Malawi's first head of state to assume the position of chairperson. In his acceptance speech he said that "Africa is not a poor continent, but the African population are poor" and called for "Africa to develop Africa". 

He shared his vision for the African Food Basket Initiative by making food security a priority in his agenda.

If the term of office at AU was longer some quarters believe that such leaders like Mutharika would have transformed and progressed  the African Union's agenda.The American government was happy to see Gaddafi out of the leadership of the African Union.

In congratulating the election of Ngwazi Dr Bingu wa Mutharika as Chairperson of the African Union the USA government released a statement which in part reads:

"The United States will continue to work with the African Union to confront ongoing stability challenges in Guinea, Niger, and Madagascar and to further peace and reconciliation in Somalia, Darfur, Zimbabwe and the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo. We also hope to work closely with our African partners to confront the scourge of sexual and gender-based violence on the continent and ensure the full participation of Africa’s women in its socio-economic development." Philip J. Crowley,Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Public Affairs (February,2010).

However,President Bingu wa Mutharika failed to meet the expectations of United States of America when he linked up with Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir who is wanted by the International Criminal Court on suspicion of war crimes in Darfur.

Malawi planned to host  Mr Bashir in October,2012  in defiance of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant for him on charges of genocide in Darfur.The plan  failed after the death of Mutharika in April of the same year,such that his successor,President of Joyce Banda refused to host Al Bashir in Malawi after being inflenced by the west.The AU summit was then shifted to Addis Ababa,Ethiopia.

Wa Mutharika also mantained close ties with his ally Zimbabwe’s President Robert Mugabe who is on sanctions including a travel ban to the United States of America and Europe.

Some observers,therefore argue that a true African Union Leader would not be respected by member states if he becomes a puppet of the west. 

On the other hand conflicts in African  countries are not caused by brotherly hatred but the support from external influence from the East and West who supply ammunition in exchange of mineral resources.

This would mean that western countries  supporting war in Africa do not want to see it free and self reliant.They believe aid attached with conditions is vital to have Africa a permanent dependent of the west

For instance in 2012,upon successfully mediating for peace in the oil rich horn of Africa in a conflict of  Sudan and South Sudan,Former South African President Thabo Mbeki highlighted the need for African sovereignty.

In his words,former South African President Thabo Mbeki said that Africans can solve the numerous problems affecting the continent without giving room for external interference which usually comes with interests."With what we have done in Sudan, we have demonstrated that it is possible for us to solve our problems. If we allow others to come in they will come with their own interest and provide solutions that will serve their own interest," he said.President Mbeki noted that of all internal African efforts to solve problems of the continent, the one in Sudan has attracted respect for African leadership."Now even the UN security council cannot take any decision on this matter without asking the opinion of the African Union. It therefore demonstrates that we have the capacity as Africans to take charge of our own destiny; to refuse to be marginalized or be dictated to," he added.

As we cerebrate the fifty decades of the African Union,our leaders meeting in Addis Ababa-Ethiopia should reflect on the dream of our founding fathers.

The time has come when the Union of Africa can have a meaning when we see peace in DR Congo,peace in Somalia and all other African troubled states.

AFRICA CEREBRATES 50 YEARS OF ANGUISH

One Africa,one destiny is possible and indeed the Union of Africa is slowly getting to its fit by its ability to solve internal conflicts without external interference.WORDPRESS

FREELANCER/ACTIVIST WITHOUT BORDERS: SOUTH AFRICA MUST LEAD IN A BATTLE AGAINST CLIMATE...

FREELANCER/ACTIVIST WITHOUT BORDERS: SOUTH AFRICA MUST LEAD IN A BATTLE AGAINST CLIMATE...: South Africa can lead in a battle against Climate Change South Africa can influence the battle against climate change, being an active...

SOUTH AFRICA MUST LEAD IN A BATTLE AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE

South Africa can lead in a battle against Climate Change

South Africa can influence the battle against climate change, being an active member of the African Union, a vocal member of the G77, and one of the four developing countries poised to become a southern engine of global economic growth.

Its powerful combination of strong international leadership, progressive thinking and forward-looking policies are reflected in its calls for dramatic cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions and for mechanisms to help vulnerable countries adapt to the impacts of climate change.

Despite this, South Africa is the 14th highest emitter of CO2 in the world with emissions likely to rise sharply as energy demands increase. Most of its carbon emissions, around 80 percent of its primary energy needs, come from coal. The government plans to re-commission several retired coal power stations, and build more in the coming decade, with the remaining increase in capacity expected to come from new nuclear power plants.

As countless examples around the world show, nuclear power is not clean, cheap or safe. South Africa planned new reactors include the untested Pebble Bed Modular Reactor, which will cost an estimated 14 billion Rand (US$1.58 billion). A move from highly polluting coal energy to expensive, risky nuclear energy is not a viable solution.

Recently the Green Peace report verified  the lack of political in renewable energy investment

Shortsighted energy choices, guided by vested interests in coal and nuclear power, are preventing millions of South Africans from accessing electricity.

In addition, misconceptions about what renewable energy can achieve and a lack of political will power remain major stumbling blocks in clean energy rollout. 

Two years after world leaders met in Durban for the UN talks, which failed to deliver a plan for a clean energy future, the question is whether Brazil, Russia India, China and South Africa (BRICS) can lead the way in renewable energy development.

South Africa’s current energy planning is dangerously short-sighted, ignoring the vast external costs of both coal and nuclear power, and fails to provide electricity for millions of citizens”.

“A roof-top revolution will speed up the uptake of renewable energy if local and national governments will agree to feed-in tariffs, net metering and other small scale renewable energy mechanisms,” said Greenpeace Climate and Energy Campaigner Ruth Mhlanga.

The question is why the South African government continues to use public funds for coal power plants and centralized energy distribution, when renewable energy is cheaper, provides universal access, and creates thousands more jobs that the government’s current energy plan.

“The falling costs of renewable energy compared to the rising costs of fossil fuels, such as coal, prove that the economics have already changed. These trends – highlighted in our report – show that the age of coal is over,” added Mhlanga as reported on green peace website.

South Africa can and should champion a renewable energy future, one in which we see increased access to cheap electricity, thousands of new jobs and the democratisation of energy production. An Energy [R]evolution is possible if our leaders are willing to champion the cause.

“South Africa, the BRICS bloc, and the rest of the world can no longer afford to wait – climate change is happening now. It is no longer technology, a lack of resources, nor even economics that are preventing an Energy [R]evolution – but misconceptions and a lack of political will.

CORRUPTION STILL REIGNS MALAWI

CORRUPTION STILL A SET BACK IN MALAWI 

The Malawi government's sale of its country's Air force one (Presidential Jet)comes amid  speculations that the Gupta family business called Apollo procured and delivered a fleet of 50 pick-ups  and four buses worth US$ 76.2 million.

As reported recently  by the Malawi voice the Gupta family business was awarded several million worth of tenders in Malawi by the current Mrs Joyce Banda's ruling Peoples Party.This gesture by Apollo as reported is a form of kick backs.If this is true as reported,then this is high level corruption that will one day Malawians  demand explanation.

Though the news of financial prudence by Mrs Joyce Banda government has taken center stage in the international media,the ordinary Malawians are still living in abject poverty.

The expenditure by the current government in the past one year of office is not only surprising but also worrying ranging from exorbitant external trips to politicians in government getting reach within one year.

The international media on 21st May,2013 praised the Banda  Administration without taking the details such as the above into consideration.

Bohnox Enterprise beat three other bidders for the 14-passenger aircraft used by president Bingu wa Mutharika, who died last year.

"We have accepted their offer and we are waiting to hear from them," Cabinet clerk Ernest Katchetche said in a statement on Tuesday. 

The 15-year-old Dassault Falcon 900-EX had been described as being in "perfect flying condition".

Mutharika's successor, President Joyce Banda, decided to sell the aircraft and a fleet of luxury cars used by the big-spending leader.

The government initially set the price at $20-million.

Mutharika controversially acquired the jet for $22-million in 2009, calling it "an asset" for his impoverished country.

Maintainance and insurance for the aircraft reportedly cost the state $300 000 a year.

The southern African nation relies on donor funding to finance its development budget, with half of its 13-million citizens living below the poverty line.

Britain, which is Malawi's main bilateral donor, criticised the purchase of the jet and reduced its aid budget by £3-million.

Since taking office, Banda has introduced a host of cost-cutting measures and uses commercial airlines to travel outside the country. SAPA-AFP

However this report misses a point that the current government is receiving kickback from such high level contracts.

This is detrimental to the economy of Malawi and an insult to an ordinary citizen expecting to cast their vote in 2014 come the mult-party general elections.

This kind of behaviour seems to be a general trend among a crop of recycled Malawi politicians.

WHY NEED SOLAR ENERGY IN SOUTH AFRICA

Cost of Energy on the rise in South Africa

The cost of electricity in South Africa is on the rise.Recently Eskom proposed a 16% increase for over a five year period which did not go well with environmental activists and the ordinary citizens.

The decision then made by the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) to give Eskom an average 8 percent increase in electricity tariffs for each of the next five years.

Nersa said the increase would allow Eskom R906.6 billion in additional revenue over the next five years and average electricity prices would rise to 65.51c a kilowatt-hour (kWh) in the 2013/14 financial year and 89.13c/kWh in 2018.

However,experts have said this kind of increase is still high for an ordinary citizen,as such the energy regulator should think of allowing other service providers of renewable energy to reduce eskom 's monopoly in the energy sector.

Years of under-investment in the country's power infrastructure has meant that energy demands are rising faster than Eskom, the state-owned company in charge of the majority of energy generation and distribution, can meet them.In fact, South Africa's energy demand is expected to be twice the current levels by 2030.

It is out of this background that South Africans should start thinking of investing a lot in renewable energy.Solar energy is presently the best means to reach most rural parts.

Benefits of solar energy

Solar energy is the experts’ favoured source of renewable energy and is recommended for residential and commercial purposes in South Africa and, indeed, the world.

 As one of the most abundant and readily available sources of alternative energy found globally, it has a number of advantages over energy supplied by fossil fuels; these include energy saving, cost saving and environmental benefits.

Advantages of solar water heating systems

Solar water heating systems usually consist of solar panels (solar collectors) and heat exchange fluid or a pump.

Because no fossil fuels are used in the process of generating and converting solar energy into electricity, solar water heaters generate clean energy, which naturally reduces CO2 emissions and your carbon footprint.

 In South Africa, where sunshine is abundant, it makes sense to use the renewable energy generated by the sun to save energy, reduce the country’s dependence on sources of non-renewable energy and minimise greenhouse gas emissions.Because sustainable energy limits the need for power it eases the demands placed on Eskom, the only mass producer of electricity in South Africa.In addition to saving energy costs, solar water heating systems are low maintenance, have been known to last as long as 27 years and serve as an important backup during power outages and load shedding. 

Eskom rebate

Another important advantage of solar water heaters is that Eskom grants a rebate on solar water heater installations. You need to ensure that you go with an approved supplier and service provider to qualify for the Eskom solar rebate.

There are two ways to collect the solar rebate: the supplier can claim the rebate and you only pay the discounted rate, this is only available to suppliers who have prior agreements with Eskom; or you can pay the full amount and claim the rebate from Eskom, which will be paid within approximately eight weeks.Among the energy cost saving the Eskom rebate entails, you can also rest assured that the solar geyser you purchase is of a high quality and will give you years of clean energy and good service.

Cost savings

There are two important questions people ask when thinking about making the change to a renewable energy source: how can I save energy and how much money do I save?The latter is often the most important consideration as systems that take advantage of renewable energy sources are notoriously expensive to install.

 Solar water heaters will save you up to 80 per cent of your water heating bill, which amounts to approximately 30 per cent of your total electricity bill.Furthermore, after the payback period, which is around four years (less if Eskom keeps hiking electricity prices) your water heating energy will be free. 

Add in the Eskom solar geyser rebates and you’ll see just how we can help you to save money and energy.

Environmental benefits

The most obvious environmental benefit of solar power is a decrease in your carbon footprint, not to mention a reduction in CO2 and greenhouse gas emissions. Using the sun as a natural alternative source of energy, an average family-size solar water heater will save in the region of 821kg of coal, 2.07 kilolitres of water and 1.6 tonnes of CO2 per year. 

You will be able to cut your CO2 emissions by up to 50 per cent, which will effectively reduce your carbon footprint by half and also helps South Africa lessen its carbon footprint.

Reducing your carbon footprint by using renewable energy is important, and so is your decreased dependence on the non-renewable sources of energy in South Africa.Backup power advantages

Electricity supply in South Africa remains an issue as demand continues to increase and the existing infrastructure battles to keep up.

 Solar water heaters and solar power systems serve as backup power during power outages and load shedding.Given all the advantages such as a reduced carbon footprint, a decrease in CO2 emissions and massive cost savings, moving to alternative energy, such as solar energy, is not only a moral decision, but also a logical one.

WAR ON RHINO POACHING COSTING A FORTUNE ON ORDINARY SOUTH AFRICAN

THE WAR ON RHINO POACHING COSTING A FORTUNE TO AN ORDINARY SOUTH AFRICAN

Efforts to combat rhino poaching have led to coordinated efforts among countries in Southern Africa and the in Asia.Funds are being raised,organisations and societies are being formed.Millions are being spent in combating rhino poaching in a country full of inequalities.

Are our rhinos important than humans?Just imagine Nineteen years after the end of apartheid, South Africa is now judged to be one of the most unequal societies in the world and its 19 million children bear the brunt of the disconnect.

A 2012,UNICEF report found that 1.4 million children live in homes that rely on often dirty streams for drinking water, 1.5 million have no flushing lavatories and 1.7 million live in shacks, with no proper bedding, cooking or washing facilities.Four in 10 live in homes where no one is employed and, in cases of dire poverty, the figure rises to seven in 10.A total of 330,000 children - and five million adults - are currently infected with HIV, and 40 per cent die from the pandemic annually.Child support grants, introduced in 1997, now reach 10.3 million children but another one million who are eligible do not yet receive them.Yet millions are being spent on combating rhino poaching.

One wonders whether we should divert these hard earned funds to more appealing projects such as improving service delivery and improving the  countries' education standards for instance.

However the million dollar question is "Are we winning the war on rhino poaching?"

Last year the governing Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)  approved a project   that aims at strengthening  wildlife forensic capabilities in South Africa to combat wildlife crimes.  

The US$ 3 million project was developed in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Affairs of South Africa and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and with the support of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 

The project aims to reduce poaching of rhinoceroses and the illegal international trade in their horns by strengthening enforcement capacity in southern Africa through forensic-based technologies.

This highly funded project is yet to realize tangible results as the rate of rhino poaching is still increasing a year after commencement of the project.

As the general governing  council of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) will be meeting this coming June in Washington DC,I do hope a review of progress on this project will be made.

The following is just a capture of media covering on the rate of rhinoceros poaching in Southern Africa in 2013.

The last rhino in Mozambique has been killed by poachers.At least that's what the media would have you believe.A few weeks ago, a local Johannesburg paper, the Times, ran a story about game rangers in the Mozambique section of the Great Limpopo Trans frontier Park, who colluded with poachers to murder the last 15 rhinos out of an original population of 300.

The Times cited a statement from the reputable conservation group,International Fund for Animal Welfare(IFAW), which based its facts on a Mozambique press agency story from last week.

According to Chines press;china.org.cn the number of rhinos poached for their horn in South Africa has increased to 249 since the beginning of the year, according to the latest statistics released on  26 April,2013.

The Kruger National Park remains the hardest hit, with the number of rhinos poached since last month increasing from 167 to 180, the Department of Environmental Affairs said.

A total of 21 rhinos have been slaughtered in North West Province, 18 in KwaZulu-Natal, 17 in Limpopo and 13 in Mpumalanga.

While rhino poaching continues unabated, the fight against the scourge is also gaining momentum.

The number of alleged poachers arrested countrywide has increased to 78, with two alleged couriers arrested in KwaZulu- Natal in the past week. This brought to five the number of alleged middlemen arrested so far the year.

A total of 73 people are facing poaching related charges and some additional charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Of these, 36 were arrested in the Kruger National Park, 17 in Limpopo, 13 in KwaZulu-Natal, eight in North West and one in Mpumalanga.

As intensified efforts failed to stem rhino poaching, a debate is underway on whether the government should declare unchecked rhino poaching "a national disaster."

However 19 years after apartheid, an ordinary citizen is still in abject poverty for instance check  Alexander township in the north of Johannesburg.A black South African is still living in a squatter camp without clean drinking water and electricity using a communal Flush toilet of poor sanitation along the old Pretoria road,it does not make any sense to them  waste more millions  on rhino poaching than tending to the society needs.

THE WAR ON RHINO POACHING COSTING A FORTUNE TO AN ORDINARY SOUTH AFRICAN

Efforts to combat rhino poaching have led to coordinated efforts among countries in Southern Africa and the in Asia.Funds are being raised,organisations and societies are being formed.Millions are being spent in combating rhino poaching in a country full of inequalities.

Are our rhinos important than humans?Just imagine Nineteen years after the end of apartheid, South Africa is now judged to be one of the most unequal societies in the world and its 19 million children bear the brunt of the disconnect.

A 2012,UNICEF report found that 1.4 million children live in homes that rely on often dirty streams for drinking water, 1.5 million have no flushing lavatories and 1.7 million live in shacks, with no proper bedding, cooking or washing facilities.Four in 10 live in homes where no one is employed and, in cases of dire poverty, the figure rises to seven in 10.A total of 330,000 children - and five million adults - are currently infected with HIV, and 40 per cent die from the pandemic annually.Child support grants, introduced in 1997, now reach 10.3 million children but another one million who are eligible do not yet receive them.Yet millions are being spent on combating rhino poaching.

One wonders whether we should divert these hard earned funds to more appealing projects such as improving service delivery and improving the  countries' education standards for instance.

However the million dollar question is "Are we winning the war on rhino poaching?"

Last year the governing Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)  approved a project   that aims at strengthening  wildlife forensic capabilities in South Africa to combat wildlife crimes.  

The US$ 3 million project was developed in cooperation with the Department of Environmental Affairs of South Africa and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), and with the support of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). 

The project aims to reduce poaching of rhinoceroses and the illegal international trade in their horns by strengthening enforcement capacity in southern Africa through forensic-based technologies.

This highly funded project is yet to realize tangible results as the rate of rhino poaching is still increasing a year after commencement of the project.

As the general governing  council of the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) will be meeting this coming June in Washington DC,I do hope a review of progress on this project will be made.

The following is just a capture of media covering on the rate of rhinoceros poaching in Southern Africa in 2013.

The last rhino in Mozambique has been killed by poachers.At least that's what the media would have you believe.A few weeks ago, a local Johannesburg paper, the Times, ran a story about game rangers in the Mozambique section of the Great Limpopo Trans frontier Park, who colluded with poachers to murder the last 15 rhinos out of an original population of 300.

The Times cited a statement from the reputable conservation group,International Fund for Animal Welfare(IFAW), which based its facts on a Mozambique press agency story from last week.

According to Chines press;china.org.cn the number of rhinos poached for their horn in South Africa has increased to 249 since the beginning of the year, according to the latest statistics released on  26 April,2013.

The Kruger National Park remains the hardest hit, with the number of rhinos poached since last month increasing from 167 to 180, the Department of Environmental Affairs said.

A total of 21 rhinos have been slaughtered in North West Province, 18 in KwaZulu-Natal, 17 in Limpopo and 13 in Mpumalanga.

While rhino poaching continues unabated, the fight against the scourge is also gaining momentum.

The number of alleged poachers arrested countrywide has increased to 78, with two alleged couriers arrested in KwaZulu- Natal in the past week. This brought to five the number of alleged middlemen arrested so far the year.

A total of 73 people are facing poaching related charges and some additional charges of illegal possession of firearms and ammunition. Of these, 36 were arrested in the Kruger National Park, 17 in Limpopo, 13 in KwaZulu-Natal, eight in North West and one in Mpumalanga.

As intensified efforts failed to stem rhino poaching, a debate is underway on whether the government should declare unchecked rhino poaching "a national disaster."

However 19 years after apartheid, an ordinary citizen is still in abject poverty for instance check  Alexander township in the north of Johannesburg.A black South African is still living in a squatter camp without clean drinking water and electricity using a communal Flush toilet of poor sanitation along the old Pretoria road,it does not make any sense to them  waste more millions  on rhino poaching than tending to the society needs.

INSPIRING SECRET ABOUT THE BIBLE

This inspiring story has forced me to start blogging and write a lot:

The story of William Tyndale from Garlow pages 238-239.
i. William Tyndale could have enjoyed the life of a scholar. Instead he died a martyr. Many know his name. They know he’s important. But they know little of his life of profound sacrifice. Born in 1494, Tyndale was brilliant linguist with a passion to translate the Greek New Testament into English language, something the English-speaking world lacked. His bishops warned him not to do it, however, because they believed that the “common person” should not have the Bible in a language they could understand. In hiding in Europe, William saw his dream come true in February 1526 when six thousand copies of the English New Testament were completed. Bishop Cuthbert Tunstall didn’t approve of the Scriptures being translated into English and hired August Packington to pay whatever needed in order to buy up all the Bibles and destroy them. Tyndale cooperated willingly in the plan. Why? Paid an exorbitant amount, he knew he would be able to afford to do higher quality translation and be able to produce far more Bibles. And that is exactly what he did. In a very short time, Tyndale was peppering England with Bibles, hidden in sacks of flour and bales of corn. And he kept on the move so that King Henry VIII of England could not find him, that is, until a man named Henry Phillips turned him in. His pursuers found him on May 21, 1535...