WARNING: This is Version 1 of my old archive, so Photos will NOT work and many links will NOT work. But you can find articles by searching on the Titles. There is a lot of information in this archive. Use the SEARCH BAR at the top right. Prior to December 2012; I was a pro-Christian type of Conservative. I was unaware of the mass of Jewish lies in history, especially the lies regarding WW2 and Hitler. So in here you will find pro-Jewish and pro-Israel material. I was definitely WRONG about the Boeremag and Janusz Walus. They were for real.
Original Post Date: 2008-10-30 Time: 15:00:09 Posted By: Jan
By Fiona Forde
The Shikota Express is gaining momentum, and Mbhazima Shilowa is upping the ante – beginning his day with a round of media interviews before he installs himself at lunchtime at a nearby restaurant where he holds court for pretty much the rest of the day.
Tomorrow, about 4 000 curious comrades, citizens and politicos will begin to register at the Sandton Convention Centre for the weekend gathering that will pave the way for the new political party he is likely to lead.
This is perhaps the biggest moment in Shilowa’s decades-long political career.
From his trade union days, to the founding of Nedlac, to his negotiating role in the Codesa talks, to his appointment as Gauteng premier, Shilowa’s track record has been progressively upward.
He’s an operator of note in politics after a lifetime with the ANC. Then he boldly left the party a fortnight ago, and already he’s forming a new one, filling a void.
In the eyes of the ANC he is the prodigal son, joining his prodigal brother Mosiuoa Lekota on the fringes of society.
But to the broader public, Comrade Sam is fast becoming the face of tomorrow, the man breathing long-awaited new life into the country’s politics.
He’s not there yet. There’s an election to contest first, and Shilowa’s every move will be scrutinised along the way.
But so far, so good.
Until Tuesday, at least, when the dead snake began to hiss. The elephant in this tense political space has finally raised its head as Thabo Mbeki steps back into the ring.
A letter Mbeki wrote to Jacob Zuma has become the subject of intense debate. The ANC claims the Shikotas don’t have Mbeki’s blessing in their political manoeuvring.
Shilowa begs to differ. He’s seen the infamous script and he’s now forcing the ANC to show their hand and release it so that the public can see who’s really saying what.
Will Mbeki walk too? Not right now, at least. Will he campaign for the party that ousted him from office? That’s the bone of contention right now.
But Shilowa has a job to do in the meantime.
He meets with Barney Pityana and speaks with Mvume Dandala, his guest speakers at the weekend convention. He talks to a host of other commentators and close political allies throughout the day.
He continues to trot out his message – that “shared perspective” he and his colleagues are working towards – regularly quenching his thirst with his favourite liquor.
And all the while he’s working that iPhone.
If the weekend convention is to be a success, it will be the making of a new party – one that will be much more than the ANC, he says.
It can’t just be a home for aggrieved ANC members.
“We’re not pulling from the ANC but targeting a broad spectrum. This has to be more than just the ANC Mark 2.”
But the dead snake has come to life and he’s hissing in the long grass.