SUZANNE BELLING
With the current situation in South Africa and the recent visit by Hamas at the invitation of the ANC, the community is concerned about their future in several areas. The SA Jewish Report spoke to several people in positions of leadership to ask them what issues they would like the president to address.
Reeva Forman, honorary life vice-president of the SA Zionist Federation and a member of the National Executive Committee and the Gauteng Council of the SA Jewish Board of Deputies, would like Zuma to see the note she wrote to him:
“Dear President Zuma
“What is your wish for South Africa over the next five to 10 years?
A true ‘rainbow nation’ in which each group, irrespective of race or creed, can walk with their heads high?
An economy based on the principles of democracy and free enterprise?
A totally independent judiciary?
All these seem to be under threat…” she said.
Professor Karen Milner, director of the Emthonjeni Centre, associate professor of psychology at the University of the Witwatersrand and a member of the Gauteng Council of the SAJBD, would like to ask the president: “What is the key lesson that has been learnt from South Africa’s successful transition to democracy that you would like to pass on to those striving for peace in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict?”
Steven Gruzd, head of the governance programme at the SA Institute of International Affairs, wishes Zuma to comment on the triple threats to South Africa – of unemployment, poverty and inequality
“I would also like to know where the government stands in terms of the South African Jewish community and the Palestinian-Israeli situation.”
In the light of ANC’s recent welcome to Hamas leaders, Gruzd still wants clarification as to whether the SA government is for a two-state solution, “or is there a radical change in South Africa’s policy on the cards?
“Perhaps I’d also ask him how he could inspire all South Africans to work together for a better country. We need positive and visionary leadership at this point in our history,” Gruzd said.
Eric Marx, who was recently re-elected chairman of the Cape SA Jewish Board of Deputies, said he would like Zuma to give him clear confirmation that the government’s stance on the Israeli/Palestinian issue was one of an honest, impartial broker.
He would like an explanation “as to why the government courted the Hamas leadership, having regard to the fact that Hamas is a terrorist organisation committed to the destruction of Israel”.
Marx would like to see a statement that anti-Semitism in South Africa is unacceptable “and this includes denying the right of the Jewish State of Israel”.
He asked for a commitment to clean governance in South Africa, including “zero tolerance” on corruption and wastage.
He also requested, “a commitment to partner with business to achieve a recovery in our economy, including good corporate governance in our state-owned enterprises”.
Dani Hovsha, chairman of the SA Union of Jewish Students, would also like to see Zuma address the issue of the Hamas visit. “I would like practical assurances that Jewish lives and Jewish voices will be protected across the country.”
She asked Zuma to comment on the #FeesMustFall campaign and that he would make education a priority for the government in the coming years.
Marlene Bethlehem, honorary life vice president of the Jewish Women’s Benevolent Society and veteran community leader, would like to ask the president to explain to the community “how he is dealing with corruption within the government. This is a huge problem,” she said.
Diane Levine, chairman of the Union of Jewish Women, Johannesburg, wishes to ask Zuma how the government is going to manage all the areas of need – for example the high rate of unemployment and what plans are in place to bring it down.
“Does he see a connection between unemployment and the current restrictive labour laws?” she asked.
Ed Wittert
Nov 5, 2015 at 7:44 am
‘Motivation. I believe that this aspect of governance was totally ignored, or, even worse, not considered. In addition, in 1994, when the new government was heralded, education was not mentioned as an urgent, top priority. The following 21 years proved their folly on both these issues. Unemployment leads to poverty, with its attendant social evils. ‘Providing employment’ doesn’t solve the problem, as being ‘handed a job’ does not require any participation from those who want it. Through MOTIVATION, the populace is encouraged from THEIR perspective, to WANT to work. A huge difference. Instead of vainly trying to gain the attention of government by tyre-burning in the streets of all the small towns, a completely different and POSITIVE mind-set would occur: the Poor would WANT TO work – and clamour for any opportunity available. A totally different scenario. (I have been associated for many years in Marketing & Motivation) ‘
Denis Solomons
Nov 5, 2015 at 10:57 am
‘Sub-Saharan Africa has the highest prevalence of HIV/Aids in the world.
\nI know that the virus does not discriminate between race, colour or creed but does he think that there may be a genetic predisposition by the \” Rainbow Nation \” to the deadly virus or does he think that this should be addressed by the Minister of Health.
\nHealth is still a big priority in South Africa .’
nat cheiman
Nov 6, 2015 at 10:08 am
‘Not sure why you didn’t print my \”strawberries to pigs\” comment on this matter.
\nThe SAJBD have asked
\nDemeaning and against the interest of the community -Moderator‘
Harold
Nov 9, 2015 at 12:40 am
‘Z = Zero
U = Understanding of
M = Meshal’s
A = Atrocities’
Mordechai
Nov 9, 2015 at 2:16 am
‘ Its interesting that not one of the several people in positions of leadership spoken to above would ask Zuma how the leader of Hamas, a terrorist leader recognized through out the civilized world as such was allowed to visit South Africa and why did Zuma meet with him. This surely is the most relevant question today for S A Jewry’