It was decided that I needed to rediscover my sense of self, my well-being, my happiness.

And what does one do to make one’s self feel better?

Right!

You pick on someone and bully them!

The selection of the candidate was rather difficult, simply because we started at the end of the alphabet (ignoring the Z’s for obvious reasons) and randomly chose V, as one does, to avoid a lenghty debate over appropriateness.

And whose surname starts with a V?

Yes! V for Vavi!

I made some calls, but have since discovered that Brett Kebble is dead, China Dodovu has a prior engagement and Glynnis Breytenbach is no longer talking to me.

So we were left to spreading rumours and allegations, like high school girls at break time.

Things like financial irregularities, handshakes in darkened doorways, black bags of cash. None of which we have any evidence for, of course.

But now things have gotten out of hand. Completely.

This thing, this candle, or whatever it is, I found it in my desk drawer, ok?

Vavi is saying he knows who is out to get him. He is vowing to fight this fight, which fight is not really a fight, but rather a fight over who is the bigger boy on the playground.

At least in my opinion.

I have lost the joy again, that initial rush of happiness and now I need to do something else to make me feel better.

I know, I am going to do some therapy shopping. Nkandla needs a new tv room!

SolarReserve, a U.S.-based solar energy developer has succeeded in closing a $586 million equity and debt round of financing for two South African clean-energy projects.

To raise the funds for the projects, SolarReserve joined forces with the Kensani Group, a South African financial advisory firm, and Intikon Energy, a South African developer of renewable energy.

The projects, Letsatsi and Lesedi, are based in the Free State and the Northern Cape respectively, and were selected in first round bidding by the South Africa Department of Energy as part of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP).

In a statement, the company revealed that the projects will kick off in mid 2014 and will provide electricity to Eskom Holdings, South Africa’s state-owned utility, for 20 years. Jointly, the projects will cost almost $600 million, making these two of the largest project finance transactions ever completed in South Africa, and among the largest renewable energy projects in Africa.

“Kensani applauds the South African government’s large scale commitment to clean energy, and celebrates the exciting opportunities for empowering our rural communities,” said Kelley Starke-Dow, CEO of Kensani in an emailed statement. Kensani participated in the equity portion of the funding round.

The hope is that the project will result in 600 construction jobs and 100 permanent operational jobs for South Africans. The project leads will set aside a percentage of total project revenues for enterprise and socio-economic development, amounting to a total of approximately $59 million, which will be invested back into the local community.

According to SolarReserve, a California-based company, FirstRand Bank led the debt funding for the projects.

Top image via Shutterstock

Deek’s Lompoc group is being ignored by the African government.  As hard as they try to remain positive they are hit repeatedly with brutal life struggles.  To say they feel abandoned is an understatement.  For Deek there is only one solution . . . it’s time to build a boat.

Deek’s Journals:

I repositioned my feet in the sand and continued to push.  The others rapidly mimicked my efforts.  Everyone’s muscles from back to legs burned from fatigue.  Pushing and pushing, the craft moved another foot.  Quickly three other smaller Lompoc tribesmen scrambled aboard the beached vessel.  Again we strained with all our might.  Excessive adrenalin finally launched our vessel of hope into the frightening ocean ahead.

I yelled.  “Brace yourselves!  Ready the sail then drop the rudder!”  Sly and the others clung to one another near the mast as they met the first wave head on.  Water crashed over the bow and exploded in all directions.  I cupped my hands to my mouth and hollered.  “God speed, Sly!  God speed!”

Our blessed boat raced down the backside of the next wave, disappearing from sight.  Each and every Lompoc member held his or her breath.

]]> http://hand4paws.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/dolores-speaks-about-animal-cruelty-in-south-africa-petition-link-included/ Tue, 05 Jun 2012 23:30:50 +0000 Hand4Paws http://hand4paws.wordpress.com/2012/06/05/dolores-speaks-about-animal-cruelty-in-south-africa-petition-link-included/

Outrages acts of animal cruelty in South Africa.

Another idiot without an exit strategy.

How many times do I have to tell them:

Exit Strategy! Exit Strategy! Exit Strategy!!!!

Gaddafi was found in a drainage canal. Oh come on, seriously?

Saddam Hussein also had no exit strategy, but at least he was found in a “Spider Hole” hide out on a farm.

Colonel G, you in there old boy? Helloooo?

A drainage canal is NOT an exit strategy.

I suppose Gaddafi was really the dumb boy on the playground then.

We may seem to be animals and demons, but beneath our tough exterior of aggression and fear, we are but flesh and breakable bones.

And this we must put to good use.

Aaaaaaatchoooooo. I feel a cold coming on.

How and why, you ask?

Fantastic question and the answer lies a bit further from where you think it may. (Actually, I have no idea where you think it may lie, but that is besides the point).

Let me start by saying that there will always be those around you who desire your position of power and status. Sometimes, however, it may not be the easiest thing to spot these assholes, even with the services of rough men like the Minister of Inland Security, Mr Sebenza Whataboy Ditlopo. (Wonderful fellow).

I propose that in some instances, it is advisable to remove oneself from the stage, for a brief period of time and then, from “the hospital ward in Saudi Arabia” (aka: luxury Swiss apartment in the Alps) , watch the political posturing back home, as it were.

And what better way to remove oneself from the stage for a while?

By feigning illness.

There is nothing like the possible death of a leader to light the spark of desire for leadership in others.

Works every time.

And the best part is – you don’t have to put in for sick leave.

1.  Do you feel/agree with this columnist that the focus of post-Apartheid poverty issues has been primarily about Apartheid forcing slavery?

2.  Have there been conversations about generational poverty in social development of South Africa?  Granted, perhaps Apartheid has a great deal to do with why poverty exists here, but due to the length of its reign, a new type of poverty SEEMS to exist here… at least from this outsider’s perspective.

3.  What should the Church in South Africa’s response be to generational poverty?  (Maybe that’s a fair question to ask the rest of the world too)

This article went onto blame the structure of the government as it stands today for issues that are still present here.  He called it an exact replica of the Apartheid system.  Here’s some other questions…

1.  Do you agree that it looks too similar?  What does an all-encompassing African (because Afrikaaners and English South Africans are fully South African/African as well) government (post-Apartheid era) look like?

2.  This author suggested SA could be on a similar track that Zimbabwe went down… do you agree?  What needs to happen to avoid that?

I’ve had some of these conversations with many of you, but thought it would be interesting to see if there are other responses we could muster up here.

1. It is hereby decided that all buildings/structures/outhouses and/or roofed walls, be it permanent or otherwise shall prominently display a photograph of our Handsome Hero, Leader of the Beloved Mighty Movement (Henceforth called “The Beloved”).
2. Such buildings as aforementioned will include government, quasi-government, parastatal and quasi-parastatal, NGO and quasi-NGO, public and quasi-public, private and quasi-private structures of whatsoever form and/or nature.
3. Said photograph is to be distributed by the relevant government authority at the public’s own cost.
4. Said Photograph is to be permanently displayed and not tampered with or defaced.
5. Any non-compliance will be brought to the attention of the ministry of inland security and be dealt with accordingly.
6. Any person or otherwise found guilty of such non-compliance will be charged with non-compliance of Act No. 2387/10/09 and shall face a sentence of direct imprisonment for an undetermined period, surrender of all personal assets and/or wealth to the Leader of The Beloved and possible bodily harassment, as the case may be.
7. A sample of the photograph to be so displayed is included herewith for brief consideration and/or preparation of the appropriate wall space.