Monthly Archives: May 2017

2017-05-28 05:58

Thuli Madonsela

Our parents fought for freedom, but all we got was democracy We dont want democracy, we want freedom.

This was a bold statement made by Nomatter Ndebele, one of four erudite and passionate millennials who shared a platform with businessman and leadership advocate Reuel Khoza at a Gordon Institute of Business Science public forum recently.

While other young panellists used different language, sometimes reminiscent of 1976, there was a pervasive sense that they too felt let down, particularly by government and adults. I was left with the distinct impression that young people feel they are being made to bear their burdens alone or are being forced to take on responsibilities that should be borne by the state, business and adults particularly when it comes to addressing historical socioeconomic disparities in the pursuit of social justice.

I wanted to speak to Ndebele about what shed said, but I stopped first to congratulate one of the other panellists, my daughter Wenzile. She was surrounded by her posse, many of whom wanted to take selfies and talk to me about their appreciation for the work of the Public Protector team during my tenure at the office.

Wenzile had spoken about the vision and philosophy of the foundation my colleagues and I have established, and several participants at the forum, mostly millennials, wanted to know more about how to get involved. The foundation will focus on a democratic leadership approach that is ethical, purposeful, impactful and committed to service.

It was encouraging to see that what resonated with them was the emphasis on community leaders solving the problems they could before holding government and other decision-making structures that failed to play their part accountable.

True freedom remains elusive

Side conversations that followed about democracy and freedom culminated in a dinner table conversation that morphed into a democracy dialogue with a handful of millennials.

The general view was that true freedom remains elusive for many historically disadvantaged citizens. There was also agreement that many were left behind in respect of being allowed to enjoy basic freedoms, such as having ones potential freed to compete meaningfully with others in the market. It was argued that many of the rights promised in the Constitution mean little or nothing to hopelessly disadvantaged groups and communities.

Access to quality education, passionately mentioned as an example of elusive freedom by Ndebele and her fellow panellists Lovelyn Nwadeyi, Yusuf Randera Rees and Wenzile, emerged as a common concern in the dialogue. There was also some agreement on Wenziles point that children from communities that are trapped in abject poverty and the related dysfunctionality, including drug and alcohol abuse accompanied by systemic violence and fear, faced extreme barriers regarding dreaming expansively enough to realise their full human potential.

Khozas point about the absence of a clear and compelling vision that should be inspiring and guiding social transformation actions to leapfrog South Africa into a successful and inclusive society also found resonance.

Equally supported was Ndebeles point that business was not doing enough. She argued that, after Nenegate, which struck at the heart of the economy, the South African elite expected young and poor people to march with them in protest against executive misconduct, yet they had abandoned young people during the #FeesMustFall struggle.

There was consensus that socioeconomic factors, such as poverty, crime and structural inequality reflected in gross disparities regarding access to quality education, healthcare and economic opportunities, coupled with vulnerability to violent crimes, limit the freedom to meaningfully pursue many human endeavours by affected groups and communities.

A passionate philosophical conversation ensued on the meaning of democracy and freedom, and the relationship between the two. Olivierargued that there is a difference between freedom and democracy, and that there are different views on the meaning of democracy. Mbusowabantu argued that democracy and freedom are not mutually exclusive, and that, when properly understood, democracy incorporates freedom. Khulekile concurred, adding that the reason some are left behind is not because of the failure of democracy, but due to the failure of political leadership and the paradigm that confines the meaning of democracy to peoples participation in periodic elections.

The conversation ended with agreement on the need for a public dialogue on the meaning of democracy and freedom, as well as on the various roles that should be played by individuals, communities, government and business in ensuring that all equally enjoy the fruits of democracy.

Nurturing the youth

After the conversation, I came across a pertinent reference to freedom in former president Nelson Mandelas inaugural state of the nation address on May 24 1994, tweeted by the Nelson Mandela Foundation on Wednesday. Mandela said:

The purpose that will drive this government shall be the expansion of the frontiers of human fulfilment, the continuous extension of the frontiers of freedom.

The acid test of the legitimacy of the programmes we elaborate, the government institutions we create, the legislation we adopt must be whether they serve these objectives.

Our single most important challenge is therefore to help establish a social order in which the freedom of the individual will truly mean the freedom of the individual.

Mandela continued: The youth of our country are the valued possession of the nation. Without them, there can be no future. Their needs are immense and urgent. They are at the centre of our reconstruction and development plan

Building on this base, the government and the [National Youth Development Agenda] would then work together to ensure that the nurturing of our youth stands in the centre of our reconstruction and development, without being consigned to a meaningless ghetto of public life.

It seems to me that Mandela saw the expansion of the frontiers of human fulfilment and freedom as the acid test of governments fulfilment of its responsibility in our democracy, and justification for being in power. This, in my view, is in line with the Constitution, particularly section 237, which requires constitutional responsibilities to be given priority and to be performed diligently.

I wonder if the acid test of programmes that government has been giving priority to, and the institutions created or dismantled and legislation adopted in the past few years, has been the expansion of the frontiers of human fulfilment and freedom for all. How do we reconcile the anger of millennials such as Ndebele at seeing wasted young talent while a few prosper on the wings of social injustice and, in many cases, corruption, with Mandelas iconic inaugural state of the nation address and, in a sense, promise to all?

Ndebele may not be the only young person who feels that their parents fight for democracy was betrayed by exchanging freedom for democracy. If so, our democracy is in peril unless all groups and communities see meaningful progress in their experiences.

There is a saying that goes: If they do not eat, we cant sleep. From the millennial voices, the message seems to be: If we cannot sleep, none of you can. Whats comforting, though, is that young people, particularly millennials, are not only demanding accountability for social justice, they are already acting as midwives for the inclusive South Africa of their dreams by rolling up their own sleeves. They are leading us regarding the urgent need for dialogue on the meaning of democracy and freedom.

Madonsela is a Harvard Advanced Leadership Fellow, former Public Protector, and founder and chief patron of the Thuma Foundation

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The acid test of freedom - News24

By Jodi Leese Glusco

Fuquay-Varina, N.C. When Mark MacSkimming saw a hot air balloon land near an aunt's house, he was fascinated and, like many who watch these soaring, silent and colorful craft, he wanted to know more. MacSkimming approached the pilot that day and started on a six-year course of learning to fly.

Nowadays, MacSkimming spends about 12 weekends a year traveling the United States with his crew and the Movin' Magic balloon. On Saturday at the WRAL Freedom Balloon Festival, MacSkimming joined dozens of other pilots in the air over Fuquay-Varina, and, at the end of the successful flight, gently set his balloon down in a neighborhood, drawing interested residents and continuing that cycle of curiosity.

The weather cooperated Saturday morning. Clear skies and light winds created almost-perfect flying conditions and allowed the pilots to compete in two tasks in the sky over Fleming Loop Park. In the first, teams were asked to take off at least 1 kilometer from the park and return in the air to drop a beanbag on a target. The second task involved finding and following another balloon to a second designated target area.

MacSkimming's crew chief, LT, said the competition came second for the Movin' Magic. "We just try to have fun doing it," he said.

Before, during and after the approximately 30-minute flight, MacSkimming balanced serious technical and balloon history information with entertainment.

"We have a lot of fun, but this is very serious business," he said.

MacSkimming compared ballooning to other expensive hobbies. "Unlike a horse," he said, "it doesn't need to be fed when you are not using it.

"The nice part about a balloon is you get other people to pay for you having fun," he said.

The crew of the Movin' Magic and about a half dozen others chose an open field beside Piney Grove Baptist Church for their takeoff. All around, pilots prepared baskets while crews expanded the "envelope," or the silk part of the hot air balloons.

First the colorful silks were laid out on the ground, then heavy fans came out to fill them with air. It is propane that pushes the balloons aloft. The roar and heat of the powerful fires broke through the morning light.

Once airborne, the balloons stayed clustered close together as they headed back to Fleming Loop Park where the first challenge waited.

From high and low, left and right, pilots plied the winds to ferry their craft as close as possible to a large X and dropped their bags. MacSkimming eased alongside the square target zone, but was unable to get close enough to hit the mark.

Next came the challenge of finding another balloon down in a cul-de-sac and hitting that target. With winds from the left, MacSkimming zig-zagged up and down to avoid drifting too far in that direction only to end up far right of the second target.

Tasks complete, MacSkimming radioed his crew and readied to set the balloon down.

He used the trees to help slow his airspeed. The basket of the balloon dragged through some tall pines only to set down gently and upright on a Fuquay-Varina street. The crew quickly arrived to gather up the balloon, and before 9 a.m. they shared the traditional Champagne toast and were headed for breakfast.

Off the festival circuit, MacSkimming returns to his day job, as vice president of sales and marketing for a company that makes traffic signals, and hires out as a pilot for private rides near his Pennsylvania home as for corporate clients like 84 Lumber.

His expertise allows him to fly "special shapes" balloons with a design that varies from the standard teardrop, and he's traveled to fly in countries all over the world.

Visit link:

Paid to have fun: Pilots soar, share at WRAL Freedom Balloon ... - WRAL.com

Charlotte Observer

Freedom doesn't have to mean isolation Charlotte Observer Ours, however, has always been a culture that places a high priority on individual freedom and, over the last several decades, pressures from both the left and the right have steadily weakened the ties that bind us together. Freedom from traditional ...

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Freedom doesn't have to mean isolation - Charlotte Observer

Marred by a benches-clearing brawl in the fifth inning, Saturdays game saw the Florence Freedom, presented by Titan Mechanical Solutions, rally from a two-run deficit to win its third straight game, 6-4, at Wild Things Park.

Trailing 4-2, the Freedom (11-3) got a leadoff single from Jordan Brower in the top of the sixth inning off Joe Ravert (1-1). Ryan Rinsky then singled for the first hit of his professional career, and after a groundout and a strikeout, a walk to Daniel Fraga loaded the bases.

Davis Adkins took over on the mound and walked Andrew Godbold to force home a run, and Jose Brizuela followed by lining a two-run single to center, scoring the tying and go-ahead runs.

The rally followed an eventful bottom of the fifth, in which Marty Anderson (2-0) allowed a Kyle Reese single before hitting Mike Hill in the hand with a pitch. Hill and Freedom catcher Garrett Vail exchanged words until the conflict turned physical, clearing both teams benches.

Hill and Vail were both ejected, and after a groundout advanced Reese and pinch-runner Trevin Sonnier to second and third, Kane Sweeney lined a two-run single to right field for a 4-2 Wild Things (8-6) advantage.

The game opened with the two teams trading zeroes for the first three innings prior to exchanging two-run blows in each half of the fourth. Florence scored first off starter Hunter Williams, as Brizuela came home from third on a passed ball with the bases loaded, and Ozzy Braff hit a RBI-single. Washington promptly tied the score in the home half, however, on RBI-singles by Hector Roa and Alexander Fernandez.

Braff, Brizuela and Brower led Florence with two hits each. Collins Cuthrell tripled in the ninth and scored on a Brower single in the top of the ninth for an additional insurance run.

Pete Levitt and Evan Bickett combined for two and one-third scoreless innings in relief, bridging the gap to Matt Pobereyko, who struck out the final batter of the eighth and all three batters in the ninth for his fourth save of the season.

The Freedom will play for the series sweep Sunday, with first pitch scheduled for 5:05 p.m. at Wild Things Park. Washington will send Aaron Burns to the mound against a yet-to-be-determined Florence starter.

Group tickets and season ticket plans are currently on sale for the 2017 campaign. Fans can guarantee seating for premium promotional dates by calling the Freedom at 859-594-4487.

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Freedom brawl with Wild Things, then battle back for come-from-behind victory to bump record to 11-3 - User-generated content (press release)...

With days to go before Asian defence officials meet in Singapore for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, the United States carried out its first South China Sea freedom of navigation operation (fonop) for the year. The guided missile destroyer USS Dewey sailed within 12 nautical miles of Mischief Reef in the Spratly Islands.

Not only was the operation the first for the year, it was the first carried out by the Trump administration which had, until the operation, largely pushed the disputes in the South China Sea and US policy therein to the back burner. The Obama administrations final fonop was in October, leaving a break of more than 200 days between both events.

US warship sails to within a few miles of island built up by China in Spratlys

China reacted predictably to the operation. The foreign ministry issued a statement noting that the US vessel entered the adjacent waters of Mischief Reef without the permission of the Chinese government (well come back to why the precise phrasing here matters). The ministry reaffirmed Chinas view that its sovereignty over nearly 90 per cent of the South China Sea was indisputable.

More seriously, however, on the same day as the USS Deweys fonop,two Chinese jet fighters conducted what the US Navy complained was an unsafe intercept of a P-3C Orion anti-submarine warfare aircraft. The US aircraft was intercepted near Hainan Island, presumably in a move designed by the Peoples Liberation Army to assert Beijings sovereignty to the region. The intercept came just days after a similar incident over the East China Sea.

Under US President Donald Trump, the US-China relationship has been singularly focused on the North Korean issue in the security realm and, in the economic realm, on trade. The South China Sea drew some buzz during the presidential transition period in the US, with Trump himself tweeting about Chinas construction of a massive military complex in the area and then-secretary of state nominee Rex Tillerson seemingly proposing a plan to deny China access to its occupied features in the area.

US Navy must grow to compete with China and Russia

Fonops, for all the hubbub they receive in the international press, are widely misunderstood to be part of the US Navys deterrence toolkit in the South China Sea. Instead, the US Department of Defence conceives of them as a routine legal signalling tool. Each operation is designed to protest against a maritime claim that can be described as excessive under international law (namely, the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea [Unclos], which the United States, despite not having ratified the treaty, treats as customary). Even in the South China Sea, the US protests excessive claims by other claimant states, including the Philippines, a US treaty ally.

The operation at Mischief Reef is notable for being the first to assert high seas freedom near a China-held artificial island in the South China Sea. As reported by the US Naval Institute, the USS Dewey came within six nautical miles of the island and carried out a man overboard drill an activity that would be illegal if conducted within the 12 nautical mile legally defined territorial sea of a coastal state.

Chinas use of the term adjacent waters in its response, too, was deliberate. Beijing did not proffer opposition to the operation couched in the language of the UN convention. Instead, it used its own bespoke language, allowing it to continue to maintain its claim of sovereignty despite a July 2016 ruling by an international tribunal finding Chinas so-called nine-dash claim invalid.

Despite the often complex underlying legal logic used by both sides, Chinas position in the South China Sea certainly in the Paracel group, but increasingly in the Spratly group, too is one of a fait accompli. Beijings island-building, which began in late-2013, cannot be reversed without a broader war a fact that China is all too keenly aware of.

Is Beijing courting disaster by shunning South China Sea tribunal?

Meanwhile, the US fonops, despite the attention they receive, are Washingtons way of continuing to support the regional security architecture and the rules-based liberal international order. Fonops alone will hardly change the status quo in the South China Sea, but they will serve to remind China and regional states that the rules of the road remain internationally codified in documents like the Unclos treaty, despite the foreign ministrys fantasies of indisputable sovereignty over nearly the entire South China Sea.

That signal was important in the Obama era and it is doubly important in the Trump era, given a US administration that, quite frankly, seems entirely uninterested in the question of whether the liberal international order lives or dies. The question now will be if the Trump administration can sustain these operations and demonstrate that they are truly part of the routine tick-tock of life in the South China Sea something the Obama administration failed to do.

Ankit Panda is a senior editor at The Diplomat, where he writes on international security, diplomacy and economics in the Asia-Pacific region

Read more from the original source:

The real purpose of US Navy 'freedom of navigation operations' around disputed South China Sea islands - South China Morning Post