Bread and Circus

How is this even happening? Who chooses these people? I really fear for the future of the rule of law if this is a glimpse of things to come. The Office of the Chief Justice and the various Judge Presidents need to do much better.

What is the starting date for the President, Ministers and leaders of trade unions to start using government clinics and hospitals?

@kgosi_maepa Silima.

BREAKING NEWS: The DEATH TOLL In the George Building collapse has now RISEN from 9 to 30! Unfortunately, people are dying in the DA run George Municipality. it's a CRISIS, people are TRAPPED. The DA FAILED to RESCUE residents. May the souls of the departed rest in peace 🙏

Dear political party, stop this nonsense of “making war on crime or war on drugs.” It’s a lie. Utter nonsense. You know it. Work to end poverty. But you won’t. Because the powers who own u won’t let you. So you make up these imaginary wars. Stop making war. End poverty. Be real.

Why we need to stop calling Psychiatric Drugs Medicine: When modern psychiatric drugs were introduced in the 1950s, they were understood according to a drug-centred model. Antipsychotics, for example, which were then known as ‘major tranquilisers,’ were regarded as a special sort of sedative. They were thought to have properties that made them uniquely useful in situations like an acute psychotic episode, because they could slow up thought and dampen emotion without simply inducing sleep, but they were not regarded as a disease-targeting treatment. They were never considered medicine. This is how we are manipulated

I have been in Grahamstown/Makhanda for 3 days now and have barely even scratched the surface. But here’s what I can tell you. On the surface, this little town might have the most potholes in the whole of South Africa. It was the first thing I noticed. That poor rental car. I put up an Instastory to show off the beautiful guest house I am staying in (which was built circa 1840), and people were messaging me pointing out the potholes. It’s all they could see, too. It is incredibly tragic to see the deteriorating infrastructure. We’ve all heard the stories and read the articles about the government’s mismanagement in the Eastern Cape. We all know about the immense poverty and what comes with it. When I landed in PE, there were signs in the men’s room with phone numbers to call the “Cholera Hotline”. What is this? The 19th century? How is some of the water here causing Cholera in 2024? There were also “Missing Posters” spread around the city looking for the Mayor, in a sarcastic, yet WTF, where are you actually kind of way. I can think of a few other places around South Africa where we could put up signs like this. And maybe some for the missing money that may or may not be in a couch. And the 10 babies… and the guy that “broke that story”… and Dr Lani… this all still bothers me. I digress. That is just the surface. From the moment I entered this little South African town, I was embraced with a heartfelt smile, open arms and a community love that I don’t think I have seen anywhere else in our beautiful country. Every single conversation I had with locals was about the community. One person told me about how the potholes are a huge problem but their street got together a couple of weeks ago and spent the entire weekend fixing their road. Apparently, other streets are doing the same thing. Another spoke about how the potholes were great watering holes for the donkeys, so they didn’t mind them. Yes, there are donkeys roaming free in this town. And they drink from the potholes. They even have a WhatsApp group for the Donkeys. If you see one that looks like it needs help, then you alert the group, and the VETs sort it out immediately. And if you see a new foal, then you alert the group as well, just so that everyone can gush over it like proud parents. “We love our donkeys. Just don’t feed them at your house because they will tell all their friends, and then all of a sudden, you’ll have a hundred donkeys coming for lunch.” Another local tells me about how they love the fact that they can walk everywhere. Even at night. They feel safe. There is petty crime, but they explain to me that you get that everywhere in the world. And here they can walk to dinner. Another local tells me that when they walk, they pick up litter. It’s their way of giving back to the community. When asked whether it is called Grahamstown or Makhanda, everyone shrugs their shoulders and nonchalantly says, “Both”. Like, it doesn’t bother them. Call it either or both. Everyone in Grahamstown/Makhanda knows everyone. Everyone wants to help. Everyone wants to make things better. Community love. Gogs knows every single child in this town. She is the boss at the guesthouse where I am staying. We’ve had long conversations over breakfast. She loves everything about Grahamstown. Cheryl tells me stories about the plumbers and electricians who get involved when the infrastructure fails. I always talk about the helpers. Well, they are here. Here they are. While walking to the school for my first talk, Lindsay tells me a story about every single person we pass. A good story. Not a bad word was said. She knows everyone. Everyone knows everyone. And everyone is so kind. Mike will later tell me in the “Highlander” bar about how his kids go to school here but he lives in Joburg. He flies down every opportunity he can. Judy has also recently moved down. She has her own business and runs a charity that operates in Alex and Soweto but she wanted to expand to the Eastern Cape because “she wants to be making a difference where it is needed most”. Jannie speaks about all the people in the community who are constantly doing things to uplift the community. Everyone working together towards a common goal. This town doesn’t just have heart; it has soul! Hlumi left this town to study at UCT. But she came back. She loves it here. She loves the community here. I think everyone should visit Grahamstown/Makhanda. I cannot wait to come back. Not for the potholes, definitely for the donkeys, but most importantly, to be reminded of what community love looks like. Okay. Love you. Bye. 📸: Grocott's Mail

@k9_reaper This is called harm reduction and I works.

NPO's are killing South Africa - this particular one drives around and drops off syringes that drug addicts use for heroin. I have his permission to post this, and I've beeped out the name of the NPO as I'm not lus to get sued.

Somewhere along the line we decided to outsource our engagement as citizens to our leaders, placing the power that had freed our country solely into their hands. Jay Naidoo

@Mothematiks Big flat dog.

Is he this big or it’s an illusion? 🐊

@Dirtdragonmom Woodland kingfisher.

Are there any men out there who have a favorite bird that is not an eagle? Every single man I have ever asked said "eagle".

@Mlu__N7 @khustazm Being a glutton.

@BhavMaharaj And hangry.

Since we've aged out of toys, gifts have taken a turn around here. Mood rings/necklaces are back in the game. Fishy: "where is the option for mad? Why doesn't it tell you if you're angry? That's important information." Couldn't agree more. I'd like hungry as an option.

Bathabile Dlamini is knocking at the door so we closed the curtains and switched off the lights. Rumours are Carl Niehaus has been staying in one of the dustbins outside the bar waiting to sneak in when the gates open. Nomvula Mokonyane dropped the rand and left in a hurry.

@ganymedeworld 😂

So let me guess this right: You're supposedly tired of ANC with empty promises. I get that. Same ANC that used to be run by certain MK's zuma for a decade. Now that zuma (ex-ANC) has opened his own spaza you're still gonna go vote for him because____?🤷🙄 Are U sure you're OK?

FACT: The Chinese wouldn't take 5 years to build the school they promised. They also don't steal the life savings of their own grandmothers.

@African_Spring @suntoshpillay 😂

@suntoshpillay The spouse takes over🫣

If an independent candidate wins a seat and then dies or quits after Parliament resumes, how is their vacant seat filled?

@samdknowlton One Straw Revolution by Masanobu Fukuoka.

What is the most clear, rigorous, and convincing thing you’ve read, watched, or listened to regarding the connection between soil health and human health?

@Tessa_Dooms If he becomes an MP, surely he sacrifices all of his benefits as a former president.

On 29 May we are not voting for a President. If MK gets enough votes, former pres Zuma will be eligible to be an MP which is allowed by law because there's no term limits on being an MP. If he takes an MP seat, the crisis only hits if parliament votes for him to be President.

@meggellithorne It was brilliant.

genuinely can’t believe i tweeted such a long thread and people actually read it 😂

A forlorn Mapisa-Nqakula, worries about having to go to unsafe and criminally active prison. The very same prisons that she was once Minister of. Sigh. You just can’t make this sh!t up. It’s time to face up to the court hearings & consequences of your alleged wrongdoing.