Matthew Theunissen insists he is not a racist after using the ‘KAFFIR-word’ in venting towards the minister.

MATTHEW THEUNISSEN: I'M NOT RACIST

FILE: Matthew Theunissen. Picture: LinkedIn.

Cape Town resident Matthew Theunissen, who finds himself in the middle of a storm, following a racist Facebook post says he regrets the incident.

In the controversial post, Theunissen used the 'k-word 'in venting his anger over Sport Minister Fikile Mbalula’s decision to ban three sporting codes from hosting international tournaments.

 

Various parties have called for action to be taken against Theunissen.

He, however, insists he is not a racist.

“I regret it, I shouldn’t have used those words. I should have addressed the sports minister directly in plain language - that would have been a much better way to vent and there is no doubt about that. I truly feel guilty and I am not a racist.”

Theunissen says he was “in a bad space” when he posted that status on Facebook.

He says the difficulty of finding a job also contributed to the post.

“I’ve also been looking for a job for the last year, and with the current politics in the country, I haven’t been able to find employment. Besides that, the main thing that made me say those words which I regret so dearly, is the fact that we aren’t allowed to hold international sporting events.”

The South African Human Rights Commission of has confirmed it has received a complaint with regards to the matter. 

LISTEN: Matthew Theunissen says he made the biggest mistake of his life

MBALULA REACTS

At the same time, the sports minister has spoken out against the racist Facebook post, saying there are still too many South Africans making racist remarks based on ignorance.

He says people like Theunissen, who insult government over its transformation policies, are taking the country backwards.

Mbalula says Theunissen needs help.

“Matthew is young and he needs to be helped for all that he has gobbled up as a child to understand that South Africa is a united country.”

He has called on all South Africans to entrench diversity in the country.

Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille has confirmed her office will investigate the post.

LISTEN: Matthew Theunissen says he made the biggest mistake of his life

 

The magnificent South Africa's "Mall of Africa"

Mall of Africa by the numbers

• Valued at R4.9bn upon opening for trade;

• Gross lettable area about 130 000m²;

• Actual construction area covers 550 000m² – or 78 rugby fields;

• Over 6km of shop front has been created inside the mall;

• 303 outlets (269 shops + 34 kiosks);

• 26 access points, 50 sets of lifts and 40 escalators;

• ±6 800 parking bays;

• Used in construction: Over 530km of post tension cable, 18 500 tonnes of rebar and 205 000 cubic metres of concrete;

• A stroll around the building’s perimeter will take you on a walk of 1.75km;

• 15 million people will visit the mall annually, according to "conservative estimates" by the developers;

• Up to 14 000 contractors from diverse disciplines were working on site on some days during the development phases;

• 4 500 people are estimated to be employed by and in the mall after opening;

• ±25 000 m² planned now for future expansion.

According to the developers it is the largest first phase completion of a mall ever in South Africa.

12 Amazing about Mall of Africa 

1. The Mall of Africa will open its doors on Thursday, 28 April.

2. It is the biggest mall built in a single phase in South Africa/Southern Africa/Africa, depending on which website you read.

3. Construction consumed 10 million bricks and 8,500 tons of steel.

   

   A flotilla of cranes during early construction of the mall. Photos by Mall of Africa and Waterfall.

4. It is located in Waterfall, a new living, working, retail area between Johannesburg and Pretoria, on a 2,200-hectare tract of land triangulated between Woodmead, Kyalami and Midrand, formerly known as the farm Waterval. Its creators call Waterfall “a city developed on a scale beyond anything South Africa has known”.

5. It is reached via the new Allandale Road exit off of the N1, as well as the new Bridal Veil Road overpass bridge, which was built at a cost of R160 million and will create a new east-west transport axis. It is also close to the Gautrain’s Midrand station.

6. It has been under construction for three years and has cost an estimated R5 billion.

7. It is 130,000 square metres in size and has parking for 65,000 cars.

8. Next-door is the 26-story PwC Tower, which is visible from a 30-kilometre radius.

9. Between the mall and the PwC Tower is Waterfall Park, which the developers say was inspired by Central Park, with a fountain, 232 trees, bicycle and foot paths, eight interactive sculptures, three amphitheatres and a ring road.

   

   An artist’s vision of the completed Waterfall Park.

10. There are over 300 stores in the mall, from Armani to Zara (with Starbucks opening its second store in South Africa there), accessible by 40 escalators.

    

    Inside the mall as it nears completion.

11. The first international brands to open stores in South Africa will do it at the Mall of Africa, including Armani Exchange, Helly Hansen, Asics, Zara Home, The Kooples, Under Armour, Women’secret and Soap Stories.

12. The inside decor takes its inspiration from the forests of central Africa, the great lakes in the east of the continent, the oil and trade of the west, the sand of the North African desert and the mineral wealth of southern Africa.

 

A rendering of what the completed Waterfall will look like. 

Mandela 6 meter statue unveiled in Palestine - Ramallah City

It was an historic day for the city of Ramallah in Palestine on Tuesday after a six-metre statue of former SA president, Nelson Mandela, was unveiled.

The unveiling came after Ramallah mayor, Mousa Hadid, held a joint press briefing with the City of Johannesburg in central West Bank. 

Johannesburg mayor, Parks Tau, said the Madiba statue was “a symbol of hope and inspiration for the people of Palestine to realise their freedom”. 

“Having overcome apartheid in South Africa with support of the international community, it is natural to extend our ubuntu principles as Africans and indeed stand in solidarity with those nations currently experiencing various forms of political and humanitarian unrests,” Tau said.

Symbol of solidarity

The statue, a donation from Johannesburg to Ramallah, represents a symbol of solidarity with the people of Palestine. 

The six-metre high bronze statue, located at the Nelson Mandela Square in the neighbourhood of Al-Tireh, is the work of South African artists Tania Lee, Christina Salvoldi and Lungisa Kala. It was shipped to Palestine a month ago.

Hadid said the unveiling would be celebrated as a national day because the statue of Nelson Mandela “unites the people of Palestine and South Africa”.

“The statue is the first step towards strengthening relations between Johannesburg and Ramallah. We look forward to more steps being taken to enhance this relationship further – particularly as the people of Palestine associate Mr Mandela with hope, freedom and dignity,” Hadid said.

Hadid heaped praise on Tau, saying he hoped the relations between both cities would prosper.

City-to-city relations

“We don't want relations to end here. Ramallah and the people of Palestine have a lot to learn from Johannesburg and the whole of South Africa.”

The unveiling comes after a mission led by the South African Local Government Association (Salga) visited Ramallah in November 2014. 

The purpose of that visit was to attend the International Conference of Local Authorities in Solidarity with the Palestinian People. 

The visit culminated in the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Johannesburg and Ramallah in Salga’s bid to promote international city-to-city relations and collaborations.

Zuma lands high-profile offer at UN - President Jacob Zuma has been appointed to co-chair a United Nations High-Level Commission on Health Employment and Economic Growth alongside President François Hollande of France.

 

President Jacob Zuma. File photo.
Image by: South African presidency via Flickr stream 

The appointment by the United Nations Secretary-General‚ Ban Ki-moon‚ is aimed at stimulating the creation of new employment opportunities in the health sector across all countries‚ especially in least developed countries.

Zuma said in a statement: "The focus of this Commission goes to the heart of implementing the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development‚ which we adopted in September last year‚ and which could go a long way in helping to address the triple challenge of unemployment‚ poverty and inequality."

"Growing health workforce shortages is a particular challenge for all developing countries‚ including South Africa."

According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) 45 million job opportunities will be created in the health sector by 2030 due to a number of factors‚ including population growth and an ageing health workforce. However‚ these jobs will mostly be created in member countries of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) and emerging economies‚ and it will result in a shortage of 18 million qualified health professionals that are needed in low-and middle-income countries. This mismatch poses a threat to the stability of health systems and global health security.

As a result‚ Zuma's office said‚ the Commission will consider‚ in particular‚ the considerable need for health professionals in middle and low-income countries.

Presidents Zuma and Hollande will be supported by three Vice-Chairs: Dr Margaret Chang‚ Director-General of the World Health Organisation (WHO)‚ Angel Gurria‚ Secretary-General of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD)‚ and Guy Ryder‚ Director-General of the International Labour Organisation (ILO).

Twenty-three Commissioners representing governments‚ business and civil society from all over the world have also been nominated to join the deliberations. Among them are Zuma's ex-wife - the chairperson of the African Union Commission‚ Dr Nkosazana Dlamini Zuma.

Two preparatory meetings involving experts are expected to take place in the run-up to the formal launch of the Commission in Lyon‚ France‚ on March 23. A second meeting of the Commission is expected to take place in New York in September this year on the margins of the 71st Session of the United Nations General Assembly.

The Commission is expected to submit its report to the Secretary-General of the United Nations‚ at the latest‚ by December 31.

PSL DRC ruling on Abraw's case (Celtics vs Chiefs)

Below is what the PSL said in a statement:

The Premier Soccer League (PSL) has noted media reports relating to the matter involving Camaldine Abraw.

While the League does not want to enter the public debate on the matter, it is important for clarity purposes to make a few points:

The matter between Bloemfontein Celtic, Kaizer Chiefs and Camaldine Abraw was heard by the Dispute Resolution Chambers (DRC) following a complaint by Bloemfontein Celtic that the player had signed a ‘pre-contract’ with the club and therefore could not join Kaizer Chiefs. 

Bloemfontein Celtic also made an application to interdict the player’s registration.

The PSL DRC made the following ruling:

The application by Bloemfontein Celtic (to interdict the player registration) was dismissed.

The PSL must investigate, and if necessary, prosecute Mr Camaldine Abraw.

The League is to investigate the conduct of Bloemfontein Celtic in not informing Free State Stars in writing that it intended to negotiate with Mr Abraw (while the player was still contracted to Free State Stars) and, if appropriate, take action. 

The League is to investigate the conduct of Kaizer Chiefs and, if necessary, take appropriate action. 

The DRC ruling has been forwarded to the PSL Prosecutor for consideration. The PSL will make no further comment on this matter until we have new information for the media and public.

2 Dobsonville cop killers have been killed today Thursday on N3

2 suspected cop killers who gunned down two Dobsonville police officers have reportedly been shot according to a tweet by Crimeairnetwork on Thursday, it happened on the N3 highway near the De Hoek toll plaza near HeidelbeNational police commissioner Riah Phiyega is expected to visit the families of the two slain officers on Thursday afternoon.

Johannesburg - Two suspected cop killers who gunned down two Dobsonville police officers have reportedly been shot dead.

According to a tweet by Crimeairnetwork on Thursday, it happened on the N3 highway near the De Hoek toll plaza near Heidelberg.

National police commissioner Riah Phiyega is expected to visit the families of the two slain officers on Thursday afternoon.

News24's Genevieve Quintal drove past after the incident had happened. Watch.

Part 3: Adebayor reveals how his brother held a knife to his throat

Emmanuel Adebayor (AFP)

In Part three, Adebayor shares how his brothers once held a knife to his throat over money issues. 

"SEA, if I decide to bring out the Part 3 today, it is because my brother @Kola Adebayor and my other siblings have decided to talk about our family issues on social medias, through letters to my club, radios…I could write an autobiography and sell it but I decided to share with you here. 
25 years ago, my big older brother Kola went to Germany and he became the hope of our family. We all thought he could change the way we were living. Years after he left Togo, we still had no electricity and no phones. If he wanted to talk to us, he would call the Atlantic Hotel that was very close to our house. We would then run to the hotel reception and talk to him. 

When I got the opportunity to go play football in France for the first time, we needed money to for the flight tickets and other expenses. My brother was nowhere to be found. Only God knows what he was doing in Germany. 

When I arrived in France, I did all the paperwork with my team and they allowed me to stay in the academy. A few months later, my brother wanted to come visit me. I was running out of money and I was living at the academy. Therefore, I had to borrow money so I could pay for his hotel. At that time, my teammate Sega N’diaye from Cameroon was kind enough to lend me some money. I also had to borrow some more money because I had to give my brother some money for his trip back to Germany. Keep in mind he is my older brother.

A couple years later, things started to get better. Thank God, I signed a contract with Metz. Since then, my brother would contact me whenever it was time to pay his bills. Sometimes, he would say his son is sick… I had to get used to all this. 

Again, I was lucky enough to get an offer from Monaco and I signed for the football club. One day, Kola and the late Peter Adebayor came to visit me in Monaco. My two brothers did not let me know they were coming. Someone said “blood is thicker than water” so I took them in. They arrived early in the morning and I was on my way to training. When I came back home, we had a discussion and they wanted to start a car business. Obviously, it involves a lot of money. I told them that I could help them out as soon as I get paid next. At that time, Thierry Mangwa was staying in my apartment because he was struggling with some personal issues and needed a place to stay. One day, I came back from training and he was crying. He never told me why. My brothers could also not explain. Another day, one of my friends Padjoe came to visit me and as he was leaving the house, I believe I offered him about €500. My brother Kola noticed that and was very upset. He was trying to understand why I gave my friend some money right away but not him. My reason was very simple; the money he (Kola) needed was a huge amount of money that I did not carry in my house. We went on and had an argument about it. 

Another day, after training…I was very tired and decided to go take a nap. I woke up and a knife was held to my throat. As I opened my eyes, both of my brothers were there. They were shouting and they claimed that I was wasting their time. Peter was going mad and Kola was supporting. I asked them: “Is this the only way to solve this issue? I yes, then kill me and take the money”. It’s only at that moment that he put the knife down. After all this, I found a way out of my own apartment and I called my parents. My mom suggested that I call the police. That was the only way for me to get back into my house safely… I had training the next day, by the way. So I did what my mom said. Police came and they settled down. Again, “blood is thicker than water”, so I let it go. A few days after, Peter went to visit one of Kola’s friends in Paris. That means I was left in the house with Kola; for my own safety, I found a way to get him the money as soon as I could. Only God knows how much I gave him that day. 

A few months after all this, I went back to Togo and I was surprised when my mom started to ask me why I called the police on my brothers, she continued and said I am the bad person in the family. That is another story I will leave for later… 

Every time I went back home, everyone kept asking me why my brother never visited after all these years. Immediately, I organized a flight for him and he came back to visit the family, at my own expenses. 

On April 22nd 2005, we received some bad news. I received a call and they announced that my father passed away. I was devastated. I called my big brother and told him that we all have to be there. Again I made sure there was a flight ticket ready for him. We all went back home and I took care of everything. A long time before my dad died, he was in the hospital one day and he asked me to make sure his funeral is not a moment of sadness. He wanted us to celebrate his life. I leave it to God to decide if the funeral I organized for my dad was what he wanted. The man who calls himself the “big man” in the family did not contribute to anything. But he still has the boldness to say I do not take care of this family. 

In 2006, I had another big opportunity to go play for Arsenal. Since then, my brother has started to come up with series of false accusations against me. 

On July 22nd, 2013 sad news hit us in the family. My brother Peter Adebayor passed away. His death was sad and I was affected by it. One thing I find difficult to swallow today is that Kola was accusing me of Peter’s death. He is saying that the shop I opened for Peter was not good enough. He kept texting saying that my career would be destroyed. I did everything for Peter when he was alive, I brought him to Metz, and Monaco with me. What can Kola say that he has done for Peter? Nothing. The man did not even show up at the funeral even after all the money I sent for the trip back home. 

He is saying that I also made my mom suffer, but he forgot that when he was in Germany, at some point I was the one always by my mom’s side. As soon as I started to make a living with football, I did everything you could imagine for our mom. That is normal. But my brother is never satisfied. He said I bought a shitty car for my mom. Why can’t he buy a better one? All I want from him is to take his responsibilities. Since I am not doing it right, he should show the example as a big brother. He has been in Germany for more than 20 years, but he never brought our mother there to visit. Even to go back home for a visit is another struggle. All he keeps saying is that my father said I should build a house for each one of them. I don’t think my father said that. Does that even make sense for him or anyone? As a big brother, he is supposed to be doing all that I am doing for the family. He should stop hiding and take his responsibilities. When he came to Europe, he was young enough to become a football player too. Anyways, some people are drivers here but they are able to take care of their families. They even bring their parents and other family members. Why has he not done anything like that but he keeps talking? As a matter fact, he should at least bring Rotimi, Bidemi or his own son Aziz here before talking about “taking care of the family”. Actions are louder than speeches. 

A lot of people are saying that I never went to school, but they forget that it is because we could not afford it. I never blamed my parents for that. But thank God, today I am able to speak more than 3 languages and I can send my daughter to school. I am proud of that. People can accuse me for not going to school, but in the end it is all about who you become and what you teach yourself. It is also about what life teaches you and what you learn from it.

Many times I wanted to give up. Ask my sister Iyabo Adebayor how many times I have called and was ready to commit suicide? I kept these stories for years… But If I die, no one would know my story, no one would learn from it… Some people say I should keep these stories private, but someone has to sacrifice himself; someone has to talk about it. I know people would relate to my story and others would learn from it. For every one who knows me, I’d do anything for my country and my people. 

Final message from the younger brother to the older brother: Quit Smoking and Quit Drinking. That was my story."