Up in the air
“There are concerns about radiation, about the resale value of properties and about this being used as an excuse to expropriate land without compensation… This policy proposes that network operators can erect infrastructure on private land, and property owners cannot charge an access fee and are liable for any damage to the infrastructure.” – Rob Hutchinson of the website Dear South Africa in an interview with the Thomson Reuters Foundation. The website has been collecting comments from the public over a draft policy that would let mobile networks build cellphone infrastructure like 5G towers on private land.
Maurizio Pesce/WikimediaCommons/Fotoauge from Pixabay/Phil Spase
Those wicked neo-liberals, again
“We witness the reemergence of the hegemony of the neoliberal agenda within the state – a leadership that seeks to be more powerful in the state and against the culture, policy perspectives and traditions of the movement, wanting to project the state as a mandate-giver to the movement.” – Young Communist League of South Africa national secretary Tinyiko Ntini, speaking at the SACP’s 99th anniversary celebrations held virtually on Sunday. New24’s Jason Felix grabbed the snappy soundbite.
Sucks when no-one listens to you
Having reported relentlessly on the challenges over the years, and more recently during the nationwide lockdown, this newspaper — along with its sister publications The Herald and Daily Dispatch — has been among those highlighting the problems. The articles appeared on front pages, the most prominent spot in a newspaper, and still the provincial government seemingly did little to prepare during the hard lockdown. – That’s the Weekend Post in an editorial on the Eastern Cape government.
The folly of it all
In other words, if the rational explanation for lockdown is to protect against rampant infections in a concentrated place of human occupation, such as a school, then four weeks is meaningless. It makes even less sense, from a public health perspective, to then invite back grades 12 and 7 one and two weeks earlier, respectively. – Jonathan Jansen writing for TimesSelect on the logic, or lack thereof, of some of the government’s Covid-19 policies.
Why ya, no good ingrate!
Since I am now aware that the editor knows I have been posting my column here a day or two after he has had his way with it, let me just say that I am in no way equating him with a prostitute. I felt in need of a metaphor and it was the only one that came along. We live in a world of unfairness and it would seem, well, unfair, to add to it. Not without being rewarded, anyway. I post my Citizen column online in the hope that as many people as possible will read it and then shower me with adoration. Or hate mail. – Ben Travato explaining why you can no longer read his column for free on his site. But how you can still get it if you buy the Citizen on Wednesdays or subscribe.
Earth to Elon
“I invite you & Space X to explore the writings about how the pyramids were built and also to check out the tombs of the pyramid builders. Mr. Musk, we are waiting for you.” – Egypt’s Minister of International Co-operation Rania al-Mashat in reply to Tesla boss Elon Musk after the rocket man fired off a series of tweets wherein he insisted that “aliens built the pyramids”. See numerous reports in numerous media, including the BBC.
Depp trouble
“If you need a coach let me know @elonmusk.” – John Kavanagh, the coach of mixed martial arts star Conor McGregor to Elon Musk. Okay, pay attention now; long story short: Johnny Depp, the actor, said some horrible stuff about Musk. It surfaced at the libel trial Depp has brought against the Sun, this after it claimed Depp was a wife beater. Musk disputes Depp’s claims that he had an extra-marital affair with Depp’s then wife, Amber Heard. In an interview with the New York Times, Musk jokes that “if Johnny wants a cage fight, just let me know”. Kavanagh sees a chance of getting a battery-powered car from Musk in return for his service, plus some PR mileage, and offers to train him. Gosh, aren’t you sorry you asked.
