south africa week 10

 

South Africa: President tells media to respect dignity, privacy after dropping cartoon case

http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/africa/south-africa-president-tells-media-to-respect-dignity-privacy-after-dropping-cartoon-case/2012/10/29/701253fc-21af-11e2-92f8-7f9c4daf276a_story.html

 President Jacob Zuma spoke up after he saw himself in a newspaper depicted to rape lady Justice. He argued that the freedom of expression needs to be balanced to give the right to dignity and privacy to all South Africans. “The African National Congress fought for media freedom and will continue doing everything in its power to promote freedom of expression and media freedom,” Zuma said. “At the same time, we also remind those who are privileged to have access to the media to respect the rights of others.” This newspaper article was very personal for Zuma because he was actually accused of a rape charge in 2007. He said he would like an apology from the newspaper, but is not demanding one.

I have learned about the tension in South Africa between the media writers and civil rights activists. This is a major ordeal in the country of South Africa.

Week 9 current events South Africa

 Antibodies kill 88% of HIV types – study

 http://www.health24.com/news/HIV_AIDS/1-920,77403.asp

Nature medicine was supposedly discovered from two women who have the HIV virus. The two women are from South Africa.Nature medicine, which describes how a unique change in the outer covering of the virus can make potent antibodies which are able to kill up to 88% of HIV types from around the world. This discovery can play a huge role in discovering the HIV vaccine. The study was performed by (CAPRISA) Centre for the Aids Programme of Research in South Africa. This group is made up of scientists from a few different universities in South Africa.
                                                               
                                                                    Antibody Cell

 I have learned how scientists are coming a lot closer in discovering a vaccine to cure the AIDS virus. This would be a major breakthrough in history.
                                                                

Current Event 8 South Africa

http://www.cnn.com/2012/08/30/world/africa/south-africa-mine-violence/index.html

Strikes broke out again in the city of Marikana over the miner's wages. The miners were protesting for higher wages at the Lonmin platinum mine.Authorities charged 270 miners with murder in the killings of 34 fellow workers. The police were the ones who had actually killed these people. The police fired many shots into the protesting crowd and had killed 34 and wounded 78 others. Police also used tear gas and rubber bullets to try to push back the protesters, but this didn't work and they were forced to use gunfire.


I have learned about how unfair the legal system is in South Africa because of their false accusations of murder. The police were the ones who actually killed those workers and not the protesters. 

Current Event 7 South Africa

http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/855187804d0410f5831d9705f36c1c1c/Joburg-launches-R800m-solar-water-heater-programme-20120910

Johannesburg has launched a massive solar water heater program that reaches costs of $800M. This project will give 110,000 RDP houses sun-powered geysers by 2015. It is a demonstration of the safe use of solar power by the government. More than 3,000 houses in Lehae have already been fitted with this geyser program. The city has launched a series of training workshops that will teach people how to use solar appliances.

I have learned that South Africa is very modern in their technology because they have put solar power to use. This use of solar panels will give more people the access to electricity and also help them learn more about its benefits. 

current event 6 South Africa

http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/Marikana-probe-will-be-quick-thorough-20121001

Marikana Probe 'will be quick, thorough'
The judicial commission of inquiry is looking into the shootings that took place at the Lonmin platinum mine in Marikana, South Africa. They claim they are working with speed and efficiency. The inquiry is also trying to expose and extract the truth. There were 270 miners arrested for public violence during the shootings.  There were formal sittings held for the families of those killed and had their names read out loud. The families of these names were asked to stand when announced. After, a moment of silence was held for those that were killed. 

I have learned about the violence in South Africa and how people are getting mad about the conditions of the mineworkers. The cause of these outbreaks in violence are the working conditions of the miners.