Abuse in fruit farms in South Africa

Farmers who make significant contributions to the production of South Africa's fruits and wine reportedly face abuse in the Western Cape province, where they are denied fundamental rights, including the right to adequate housing, safety and health. They lack basic necessities like toilets and drinking water.

Human Rights Watch reports that there are attempts to stop farm workers in the Western Cape from forming Unions. [Source]. This is in violation of workers' right to organize, provided in the Constitution on South Africa and international conventions such as the Freedom of Association and Protection of the Right to Organize Convention that was ratified by South Africa in February 1996.

According to Human Rights Watch, farm workers in the Western Cape work under dangerous occupational safety and health conditions and the government has failed to protect them from exploitation and abuse, despite the fact that the country benefits enormously from fruit and wine industries - powered by the workers.

The following video by Human Rights Watch, shines light on the plight of farm workers in the Western Cape of South Africa.



South Africa is a respected member of the International Labour Organization (ILO), a UN agency that promotes social justice and labour rights.

The government recognizes, at least on paper, the need to protect workers from poor working conditions, exploitation and other forms of abuse. Reports of widespread workers' abuse in modern-day South Africa damages the image of the "rainbow nation" abroad. The government should take steps to restore the dignity of farm workers in the Western Cape.

Human Rights Watch recently published a detailed report about untold violation of workers' rights in the Western Cape. The 96-page report, titled "Ripe with Abuse: Human Rights Conditions in South Africa's Fruit and Wine Industiries" (pdf format) includes photographs of some of the dilapidated structures where farm workers live.
Photo source: BBC.

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In honor of South African freedom fighter Albertina Sisulu

On 2 June 2011 a beacon of freedom, justice and human rights was extinguished with the passing of South African freedom fighter - Albertina Sisulu. The anti-apartheid activist died in her home in Johannesburg after bravely fighting for decades to restore respect for human rights and human dignity in South Africa at a time when nonwhite South Africans were targeted and oppressed by immoral and unjust laws in their own country. Albertina Sisulu was among those who led a popular uprising against what will be remembered as one of the world's most ruthless, immoral and discriminatory regimes.

Nelson Mandela is widely known and celebrated as the South African who led the liberation struggle against apartheid, but the icon clearly did not work alone. He fought for freedom along side relatively less known "comrades"  and freedom fighters like Albertina Sisulu and her late husband Walter Sisulu.

It is worth mentioning that the passing of Albertina Sisulu comes at a time when I am reading a book, titled Long Walk to Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela - which captures in great detail some the immoral laws which Albertina Sisulu and other anti-apartheid activists stood up against.

In his book, Mandela repeatedly mentions "the Sisulus'" - referring to Albertina and her husband Walter Sisulu. Mandela recalls how their home was his home. [Long Walk To Freedom: The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, page 88]. This is how I came to know about the fallen icon.

Some of the harsh laws in South Africa under the apartheid regime, included the following:

• The Separate Representation of Workers Act which abolished the representation of "Coloureds" (what is known today as "people of colour") in parliament.
• The Prohibition of Mixed Marriage Act which prohibited interracial marriages.
• The Immorality Act which outlawed sexual relations between whites and nonwhites.
• The Population Registration Act which classified South Africans by race.
• The Group Areas Act which required different racial groups to live in separate urban areas.

[Source: Long Walk To Freedom. The Autobiography of Nelson Mandela, page 98-99].

In 1956, Albertina Sisulu and other women marched against the infamous Pass Laws Act which was designed to limit the movement of nonwhites in South Africa and enacted in 1952. She braved imprisonment, house arrest and other forms of persecution by the repressive minority regime. [Source]. [Source].

In Nelson Mandela's emotional speech read by his wife on 11 June 2011 at the funeral of Albertina Sisulu in Orlando Stadium, Soweto, and published by the Nelson Mandela Foundation, Mandela referred to Albertina as "one of the greatest South Africans" who "provided leadership and exercised power with quiet dignity."

Albertina Sisulu evidently promoted and bravely defended, at great personal risk, respect for human rights and freedom for all South Africans irrespective of race or color. Her passing leaves a vacuum in a world faced with a growing need for more heroes and heroines to continue the struggle for justice and human dignity around world.

Albertina Sisulu, 92-year-old former member of parliament, leaves the world a better place.

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Different colors by Lucky Dube

This evening, like most Friday evenings, I spent some time listening to music. I must tell you - very few songs impact me like a song by Lucky Dube, an iconic South African musician. The song in question titled, "Different colors" conveys a message of unity and is a commendable attempt to break racial barriers and unite all natural persons, irrespective of race or color.

Sadly, Lucky Dube is no more. But through his music, he continues to inspire listeners.

In the following video and lyrics, Lucky Dube denounces racial discrimination and urges everyone - including governments, politicians and, of course, YOU - to refrain from separating "the people". Watch...



Lyrics (unofficial):

Breaking those barriers
All over the world
Was not an easy thing
Yesterday your mouth was shut yeah
Couldn' t make a sound eh boy
But it' s such a good feeling today
When I can hear them from
Across the ocean singing this song
That the whole world should be singing
All the time

Chorus: (x3)

We' re...
Different colours / one people
Different colours / one people

Hey you government
Never try to separate the people
Hey you politician
Never try to separate the people

They were created in the image of God
And who are you to separate them
Bible says, he made man in his image
But it didn' t say black or white
Look at me you see BLACK
I look at you I see WHITE
Now is the time to kick that away
And join me in my song

Chorus: (x3)

Hey you politician
Never separate the people here
Hey you man hey you man
Never try to separate the people

Some were from America
We were from South Africa
Some were from Japan
We were from China
Some were from Australia
We were from the U.K.
Some were from Zimbabwe
We were from Ghana
Some were from Jamaica
We were from Russia
Some were from Aha-ha-ha
We were from Uhu-hu-hu.

Although bridging racial divide remains an uphill battle, you can't stop trying. And as Archbishop Desmond Tutu, South African human rights activist, Christian cleric and 1984 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, once said, "... never let anyone tell you that what you're doing is insignificant."

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Nelson Mandela's Conversations with Myself

You've probably heard about Nelson Mandela's new book - Conversations with Myself - that was launched on 12 October 2010. If you've not read it and shelved it in your personal library yet, make sure you do. Nelson Mandela, former South African President, no doubt, has such an incredible life story that would never fail to inspire you, your children and your children's children to seek progress by promoting social justice and equality for all.

Many people have already read or listened to Nelson Mandela's incredible life story uncountable times from a variety of sources, but a recent report by Bob Simon, contributor for "60 Minutes", about Madiba and the new book is worth watching. The report captures the life of  [arguably] "the most admired human being alive." WATCH...



The new book offers "unique access" to the life and thoughts of the freedom fighter. It reveals the "private man behind the public figure," and guess what - the foreword is written by U.S. President Barack Obama.

Nelson Mandela's Conversations with Myself is available on Amazon.com. It's highly recommended.

Read more about the book on the official website of the Nelson Mandela Foundation.

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Nelson Mandela International Day 2010: Who inspires you?

July 18 is Nelson Mandela International Day. On this day, 92 years ago, a man was born in a forgotten part of the world; a man with the right DNA and skills needed to liberate South Africans from unspeakable racial discrimination and oppression by a white minority aparthied regime. On this day, people of conscience worldwide pause to celebrate the birthday of this living legend: Nelson Mandela. Are you a person of conscience? Who inspires you?

Nelson Mandela was a political prisoner for 27 years, imprisoned for his role in the anti-aparthied campaign. After he was released from prison in 1990, he went on to become South Africa's first democratically elected President. Contrary to what many expected, President Mandela preached reconciliation between black South Africans and their former oppressors. After his first term in office, he once a gain silenced his critics by stepping down - setting the course for a democratic South Africa.

To honor Mandela's enormous contribution to world peace, democracy and freedom for all, in 2009, the UN General Assembly adopted a text declaring 18 July - Nelson Mandela International Day, in a bid to "make peace a way of life for people around the world." This is the case because Nelson Mandela, former South African President and Nobel Peace Prize laureate is a symbol of peace, democracy and freedom.

As you celebrate Nelson Mandela International Day, I hope he inspires you to promote peace, human rights, freedom and equality for all.

I found the following video very inspiring. WATCH...



Permit me to leave you with the words of this historic figure - Nelson Mandela - in his final testimony in the 1964 trial that sent him to prison for life:  

"I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and to achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

Make everyday a Mandela Day!

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Remembering Nelson Mandela's Release 20 Years Ago

Do I need to tell you who the legend - Nelson Mandela is? He was the first black president of South Africa and served in that capacity from 1994 to 1999. Before he became president, he was an anti-apartheid activist and was convicted to life in prison on charges of sabotage and other crimes committed while he led the movement against the brutal white minority regime. Mandela served 27 years in prison, spending what he calls the "dark years" - 18 years, in a notorious South African prison - on Robben Island. Nelson Mandela was released from prison on 11 February 1990. Today - 11 February 2010, in harmony with the world in general and South Africans in particular, let's pause to remember Nelson Mandela's release 20 years ago.

How it happened, is a true testament of the fact that "nothing can stand in the way of the power of millions of voices calling for change." South Africans were sick and tired of white domination and were in desperate need for change. Many oppressed South Africans looked up to one man to liberate them - that man was Nelson Mandela. Throughout his imprisonment, local and international pressure mounted on the government to release him. South Africa's president at the time - Frederick Willem de Klerk, succumbed to the pressure and announced Mandela' release on February 1990.

On this day - 11 February 1990, Mandela walked out of the Victor Vester Prison, a low security prison where he spent the last 3 years before his release. His release was broadcast live on television channels around the world and South Africa has never been the same again. On the day he walked to freedom, Mandela addressed the nation, declaring his commitment to peace and reconciliation. He said, among other things:

"Today the majority of South Africans, black and white, recognize that apartheid has no future. It has to be ended by our own decisive mass action in order to build peace and security. The mass campaign of defiance and other actions of our organization and people can only culminate in the establishment of democracy. The destruction caused by apartheid on our sub-continent is in-calculable. The fabric of family life of millions of my people has been shattered. Millions are homeless and unemployed. Our economy lies in ruins and our people are embroiled in political strife."

What a speech from a man fresh from prison - where he was subjected to 27 years of unimaginable torture, forced labour and inhumane treatment. He didn't preach war; he didn't preach revenge; he called for forgiveness, reconciliation, peace, security, national unity and democracy.

Nelson Mandela is truly a great moral and political leader of our time! It takes certain rare elements of character to be able to rise from oppression and more than a quarter-century of imprisonment - to president of a "Rainbow Nation" and winner of more than 250 awards, including the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize.

I just started reading Nelson Mandela's autobiography - Long Walk To Freedom. You have to read it! It describes his early life, education and 27 years in prison. It's thought provoking. You won't believe what this legend had to endure. Here's an excerpt from Nelson Mandela's autobiography:

"Apartheid's regulations extended even to clothing. All of us except Kathy, received short trousers, an insubstantial jersey, and a canvas jacket. Kathy, the one Indian among us, was given long trousers. Normally Africans would receive sandals made from car tyres, but in this instance we were given shoes. Kathy, alone, received socks. Short trousers for Africans were meant to remind us that we were "boys.""

Today, Mandela is 91, in good health and according to CCN's Christiane Amanpour - "continues to inspire prisoners of conscience." Permit me to leave you with Mandela's own words during his trial in 1964:

"I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the ideal of a democratic and free society in which all persons live together in harmony and with equal opportunities. It is an ideal which I hope to live for and achieve. But if need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die."

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