SADC Region: Republic of South Africa: Official Opposition in talks with strange bedfellows?

(South African Catholic)


Notation by Marc Aupiais

According to the Cape Argus, a member of the Independent Newspapers (IOL) news group: the Democratic Alliance (DA)- South Africa's Official Opposition: is in behind closed doors unity talks with several smaller parties- including ANC off-shoot: COPE (Congress of the People), the ID (Independent Democrats), and the UDM (United Democratic Front).

While the DA allows their Members of Parliament (MPs) to vote with their conscience, on matters deemed by the DA to be related to morality- the ID and UDM- have both pushed legislation and policies, which are seriously against the moral fibre set out by the Church- including on vitally important issues such as- what marriage should be, and legalising of and pushing of pro-abortion legislation by the state.

Much of the leadership of political fledgling- COPE- jumped ship from the ANC prior the last election- having seemingly been perfectly accepting of the ANC (African National Congress)- when it radically liberalised access to Abortion, and instituted "Civil Unions"- "Gay marriage". On the "Gay Marriage" issue- as our service noted in another article: earlier this year- the ID seemingly wanted to force marriage officers to "marry" gay couples- whatever their conscientious or religious objections.

Exactly what form of alliance would be formed if the alleged talks are successful- is not clear to our service at present.

Whether this would entail close co-operation on some matters between multiple parties, or a new political party- is not clear, although the evidence seems to lend towards the latter- as with the quotations the Cape Argus gives to back up its claims.

Reportedly: Helen Zille has noted a number of areas where the opposition parties could find common ground-

These apparently include: commitment to the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996; creating an environment which would offer opportunities to everyone; a market-driven economy, opportunity and delivery and a safety net for the less privileged (c.f. IOL- as linked to below).

Representation of the DA had not replied to a media request from our service at the time of publishing.

C.F. IOL (Secular; Independent; South African) 02 / 08 | 2009

http://www.iol.co.za/index.php?from=rss_Twitter&set_id=1&click_id=79&art_id=vn20090802061851279C687881

South Africa: DA's SA Christian voters lose say?

(Scripturelink Voters Guide)

Note: the DA's leader's office's head of staff replied to our request: http://southafricancatholic.blogspot.com/2009/03/south-africa-da-leaders-office-denies.html

Article By Marc Aupiais

Recently, we came accross the following:

"

Post #1

Ian Ollis wroteon February 25, 2009 at 1:49pm

Ok, so huge numbers of people have been asking about the gay thing, so I decided we should start a discussion on the board! Currently, the DA has a large number of gay (LGBTI) people as public rep's either as MP's MPL's and Councillors around the country. Yes, I am one of them! On our election lists for the 2009 general elections, I was extremely happy to see the number of gay people that have been chosen on the lists for parliament and the various provinces as candidates. A case in point is the Gauteng Parliamentary Candidates list. I am currently one of 5(that I know of) gay or lesbian people in the top 16 positions on the list. That is a huge plus for the party and for our representivity. Show me one other party in SA that has that many? An many of us, like myself, Mike Waters, Paul Willemburg are very out about our sexuality. we are not a pink party however. We support equal rights for gay people, just as we support say, the equal rights of both genders, all races and each language group in the country. For those of you out there who are thinking of voting DA and for whom this is an issue, rest assured, the DA is the party that most represents the rights and views of gay people and not just in words. we have actions that support what we say! Viva Helen Viva!"

http://www.facebook.com/topic.php?uid=2226300562&topic=7506

Ian Ollis, is the 11th member listed on the DA's GAUTENG NATIONAL ASSEMBLY LIST listing. I see no reason to discount that the person speaking is him.

 Last year, when asking the DA, whether or not they had altered their policy on gay marriage, their answer to our organization was no: they still had no policy. This was after a decision involving Internation Politics, which technically favored "Gay Marriage".

We have requested a reply from the Democratic alliance, on this issue, since, having seen this admittal by a potential MP.

This was posted on their facebook group.

The DA, has also refused to alter the constitution, so that abortion is clearly relegated to the criminal arena, as any South African, no matter their age, can legally request an abortion. The only restrictions in South Africa, seem to focus on protecting the mother's health. The Judiciary, largely seems to have a certain view of the Constitution, and some believe that if South Africa's abortion laws are overturned, they will overturn the nullification of ANC: African National Congress: policy. This trial has yet to occur however.

Such moves either mean nothing, or everything. The DA would not have succeeded in changing the constitution, and so their choice had no effect, but they seemed to say that the constitution was over in 1994.

If the DA values their Pro-life, pro-family, pro-catechism voters, I suggest that they clarify this issue: as one of their representatives seems to be saying that they have purposely placed a large portion of homosexual voters on their parliamentary list high up. Such would mean a pragmatic change in a possibly neutral vote on a pro-life issue: marriage.

Such calls into account: how does the DA stand on other issues of policy, such as abortion: another issue, of importance to Christians voting. If they are that sort of "liberals" now, leaving what I would have thought was the PFP behind, then: where else are they liberal. America's Democratic Party has jumped on both issues, so have many others. Such concern lies not in homosexual ideas, which generally may change from each to each: but what is considered liberalism in many nations.

Both support of "Gay Marriage", and support of abortionist policies, are issues which make a party very unlikely to be the best for Catholic voters. The question is whether or not the DA is still neutral on these issues, or if they simply are officially neutral, but have hidden practical policies.

I would like it if the DA were to reply to my request.

Can the DA say that it is still neutral on these morally concerning issues to Christian voters?

If the man above is not Ian Ollis, I request that the DA inform us, as it is, I suspect it is the DA potential Parliamentarian, and I hope that the DA, is not discriminating against heterosexuals in their representation in parliament.

Zimbabwe, SADC Region: Why would Morgan Tsvangirai compromize?

(Social Justice South Africa)

Article by Marc Aupiais

The deal forced on Morgan Tsvangirai, by SADC, accused of a possible "Passive Genocide", by Johannesburg Catholic Archbishop: Buti, has nothing much which is good, or different. It needs negotiation, which will head to nothing for the MDC (Movement For Democratic Change), or at least: nothing much whatsoever that they have not been offered before.

Tsvangirai, withdrew from elections, which he would have won, having legally, already been elected president of Zimbabwe, according to South African experts quoted by E Television. This choice seems similar, to save his people: he has sacrificed his party's needs, and left his fellows in Mugabe political prisons, and Mugabe in power.

The MDC, had rejected the new deal, but after hearing his words, they allowed it: on condition on further negotiations, negotiations, which will likely give nothing to the MDC, as long as South Africa continues to harbor Mugabe's wishes. The ZANU PF, has relied on South African support for eight years, and it is likely the South African aid, which will go through to Zimbabwe, after the "Unity" government is formed, which is a large motivator, as Tsvangirai, sees his people die from mismanagement, a hospital system disappeared, no fresh water: and epidemic poverty, and cholera, as Mugabe does not seem to care.

Tsvangirai, has chosen a "noble" path, as many whose people are taken hostage: do, but this "noble" path, could be what is delaying their freedom: SADC (Southern African Development Community), can only hide the corpse they have left on their doorstep for so long. In either case: it is almost certainly his anxiety for the people he is said to serve: that has caused him to compromise and form this government.

There should certainly be a human rights commission to investigate South African actions over Zimbabwe. Botswana, who has considered Mugabe illegitimate, has given money to the people on the ground, or will give such: via Catholic Charity: Caritas Internationalis.

Tsvangirai's words: "SADC has decided", seem odd: he has not accepted their decisions before: it hints that he possibly was forced to accept such agreement: that he did not have a choice. SADC, has periodically been accused of being partisan towards Mugabe, and against the MDC, in negotiations. Mugabe shielded ANC (African National Congress) fighters during Apartheid in South Africa, and South African companies mine and trade in Zimbabwean resources: as South Africa's state power company sells electricity to Zimbabwe.

The Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference: fears a government in South Africa, Zimbabwe's southern alleged ally: which will not be accountable to the people, after next election: as it is: those in positions of power in the ANC: did not have these positions immediately after last election, and gained such positions, partly due to the impeaching of the previous president of South Africa; using the comments of a judge, not Judging Mbeki, words, which have since been ruled inappropriate, and without weight: by a judge: during an appeal. The Southern African Catholic Bishops Conference: has consistently criticized South Africa's communist affiliated, ANC controlled government.

COPE, an ANC breakaway: meanwhile: has not released their full manifesto, something, which seems odd. The ANC's supporters were implicated in recent voter intimidation at by-elections.