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personalities
01/09/2008 08:40
Whilst I appreciate an intelligent and honest politician, God knows there are'nt nearly enough of them, I do despair at how seemingly educated people have raised the Senator to a god-like level, another self-fulfilling prophecy. He's just a politician and I hope he makes a good one - i'll stop short of praising and hero bull^&*( - AJ |
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Well I don't agree
01/09/2008 08:41
He is just George Soros' stooge. All he keeps talking about is change and I still wonder what exactly he's going to do if he gets elected. Seems like a bunch of lies. Then again, none of the people the americans can vote for is worth anything. - Boesman |
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Excellent
01/09/2008 08:41
Well said I could not agree more, I watch that speech. What we need in South Africa and Africa is strong leadership. And sadly we do not have that at the moment. We a great leader in Nelson Mandela I see no reason why we should settle for these current idiot who run the ANC at the moment. - John |
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Never thought
01/09/2008 08:43
I'd see a real postive politician with a sensible game plan! I wish we can get sensible leaders in SA and sensible followers BUT thats a long shot IMHO! - Francois |
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Obama
01/09/2008 08:44
Is a breath of fresh air, but has enjoyed an incredible media cocconing. The same thing was said when Hellen Zille came into the leadership of the DA. She has since become and tired and bitter hypocrite. I hope Obama does not become another tired old orator who cannot do his job. His choice of Joseph Biden is worrying to say the least as the man knows no job other than sitting in the hallows of the Senate from a protected seat in Delaware. If change is needed, Biden should be changed. - L |
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Obama a brilliant orator
01/09/2008 08:53
...but no track record to speak of. I like the guy, but in SA (as in the States) we need someone who can get down to work and help SA realise its full potential.Mebki, too, was initially praise for his speeches; I looked forwrd to his presidency, thinking he woule be the man to take SA forward - look where that got us! - VG |
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This is not America
01/09/2008 08:57
Pitso go to USA. - Jabu Pule |
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thanks for a good article
01/09/2008 09:00
I agree with your sentiments here. I believe we have some excellent leaders in business, and perhaps they are the ones who should be leading us? - jka |
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Oh for a real leader!
01/09/2008 09:10
I believe we do have some real statesmen in South Africa - men and women of all races who could govern this country well. It's such a pity that uneducated, tainted, non-statesmen people are pushed by populist vote to the forefront. Stupid, really, as the poor themselves will suffer in the end. Wealth is not redistributed - it is created, by people with foresight, intelligence and strong work ethics. - alan |
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I have a dream....
01/09/2008 09:11
Maybe one day, in this country, (Like in the US now), people can forget about skin color, and vote for the BEST candidate, whether that person is from a minority group, or not. Only pity is, it will probably take a very very long time before people come around to that sort of sensible thinking. Funny how people can support Obama, but in our country, they dont want a white man to be president, "till Jesus comes". Double-standards, or just plain racism? - white AFRICAN |
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Nice one Pitso
01/09/2008 09:12
I enjoyed your article very much. We would do wonders with this country if we had a man like Obama. Just goes to show how good leadership and inspiring charisma can uplift a country's people. Jabu Pule, I really wish you and your likes stop telling people to "go to the USA" or "back your bags and go to perth" , It's really getting tired. Why don't you take your bags and move to Zimbabwe? You seem to like their "African" ways of getting things done. - Viparo |
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@Jabu Pule
01/09/2008 09:13
Why should Pitso leave SA, Is it because he has positive views and want whats better for SA? why not? You're a poepol! - Francois |
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Obama = Zuma
01/09/2008 09:14
Pitso , we already have a leader that can tackle all of SA's issues as well as Africa's. He is Jacob Zuma, I am sure you know him. He will change this countries landscrape. I think he has will and skills to motivate the people. Look at how well he does it at the moment. He will be even better then Obama. - Thabo Z |
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OBAMA
01/09/2008 09:14
This man has changed the way I look at politics. He raised himself into a level that some of us can only dream of. Even if does not win the election he already made a change into the thinking of attaining what you dremed of in life. South African can do with such inspiration, we lack that person to stand up and shine and help us to believe in a better life for all not for the few "elected" ones. - Vuyi |
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whats good for the goose...
01/09/2008 09:16
If a president from a minority group can rule the US, and it is SO WIDELY SUPPORTED by our brothers, I'm sure we can expect to have a white president one day in this country (hopefully before Jesus comes, or we Zimbabwefy this country) - Hopefull |
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Obama has no track record
01/09/2008 09:16
'L' tries to compare Obama with Zille. It is still too soon. All successful politicians are skilled in rhetoric, but this does not mean they can deliver. Since Zille came to power, she proved that she is willing to walk the talk. As a child, she and her family worked tirelessly in poor communities, and as a member of the Black Sash she continued grafting at grass roots, and since promotion to CT major and head of the DA has not wavered. Obama however is still an academic without a track record. - DJ |
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Audacity of Hope
01/09/2008 09:21
I think we need some thoughts on Reclaiming the South African dream. Unemployment, poverty, healthcare, education, crime are the biggest challenges facing our country. Americans are politically mature to make drastic and well-informed political decisions, in South Africa if we are discontented we just boycott the polls, then what is a point of democracy? If we need change we must be a catalyst of that change, otherwise we'll be faced with recurring and ubiquitous failures. - Luzuko |
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Obama
01/09/2008 09:23
Pitso, a good article. Yes there are "Obamas" in Africa and South Africa.Why don't we see them in government? "If you do what you always did then you get what you always got".Just look at the candidates we have to choose from......Well done Obama. - Sean |
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We don't need a demi-god for a Pres! Go to America and dream on.
01/09/2008 09:26
Pitso, Pule is right this is not America and John, do you know that according to America Nelson Mandela is a terrorist? We don't want nor even need a god-like president because such people tend to elevate themselves to benevolent dictators who always know what is good for us despite our will.Look at the God-like Mugabe and Bush Jnr:either-you-are-with-us-or-against-us-balderdashy attitude! - MJZ |
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obama offers hope.
01/09/2008 09:28
Whether obama will change america can not be determined right now, but the man is a visionary and he speaks of hope. That could go a long way for SA. We need someone to believe in us again, like Obama does for America. We need the change, or atleast leaders who can speak of it instead of 'We'll kill for whatwhat'. - bee |
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South Africans are hard to please...
01/09/2008 09:30
However charismatic a leader can be,South Africans will never be satisfied under any circumstances.Different taste for different race will always be an obstacle to any leader's dream for good governance & positive change!South Africans are at war with each other(Blacks & Whites) that not even the likes of Obama can change that!The fate of any country will always be in its citizens hands & with SA,the racial barriers should be a start! - Les-Maada |
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Some Readers
01/09/2008 09:36
Good Article, however i went through some of the comments and specifically Jabu Pule, yes Jabu this is not the USA, however if we had leader such as the ones in the US, Africa would have been different, however, the state of Africa depicts the current leadership, where corruption and all criminal activities are the order of the day. O ne question to you, do you not what to better yourself, do you want to live in these conditions forever, do enjoy the fact that the world talks about Africa as a 3rd world, in the past SA was in line with the US, 1 US$ equaled to 1 ZAR, now look at it, 14 years after the so called democracy, we are in the same league as the DRC, Somalia and in a few years Zimbabwe. Seems like the African mentality has not changed since the stone age, look beyond the color barriers to see what is right for this country??.however this will never happen as everything in Africa is based on color. - Martin |
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Pitso like you I watched the speech, it was not like
01/09/2008 09:39
any other, there's an element of honesty and sincere desire to "change" things for better, but then again in the west leaders are held to account by their constituencies, in Africa they are given a blank cheque, we are afraid to challenge and question authority, as a nation/continent we have a flock mentality, we don't dare to be different,until this changes, we can start thinking about "real change" a change that can improve the lives of the poor, God knows there are loads of them. - Vicky |
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I am not too sure..
01/09/2008 09:46
nice dream, but that's what it is...a dream!!! - Big R |
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Beautifully written article.
01/09/2008 09:48
Your article is beautifully written and inspiring and while reading it I felt a glimmer of positivity and hope, but then I read the comments so far and was jerked back to the negativity and bad attitudes of people. I believe there are very good people in this country with all the hope and drive to make this country as great as it could be. The problem for the rest of us is that they are not in politics and are not available to run for office. - Karen |
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Well said!
01/09/2008 09:49
I agree that people across the globe has become disillusioned by their leaders. The reasons may differ, but it is caused by leaders becoming power hungry. I think what we need is someone who already have wealth and power beyond what their leadership can bring them. They must lead for a love of their people, not for a love of power and money. - HT |
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Way to go.
01/09/2008 09:51
Well-written, Pitso. My belief is still that politicians are not accountable enough to the voters but rather "The Party", which ever one it happens to be. The only way this is ever going to change is if we vote for the person who will represent us in parliament, rather than a party list. The person who does the job for us voters would continue to win elections; the rubbish politicians wouldn't! - Dave Robbins |
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If Obama was in SA
01/09/2008 09:53
he would not be running for president. We do not choose leaders based on merit here. He would probably be sidelined for some silly reason. - AJ |
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Jabu you are a typical example of what is wrong with
01/09/2008 09:53
SA today. Why shld Pitso go to the USA? is that a crime to aspire to the nation that produces ppl who are cable of reasoning & think outside the box?IF you are a SAn you will understand that in our constitution we have "freedom of expression", so what is wrong in your opinion if Pitso exercises that right? Plse stop with your PHD (Pull him Down) syndrome, SA needs every inspiration and positive thinking it can get, if Pitso and a lot of ppl aroudn the world can draw this from Obama, so be it - Vicky |
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REMINDER: You heard it here first!
01/09/2008 10:01
John McCain will be the next president of the USA! Finish and klaar! - He Who Knows |
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Typical...
01/09/2008 10:04
negative SA mindset: someone tries to find a positive message and others don't allow a little bit of light to be spread. Well, I say 'Go Obama' and 'Thank you, Pitso!'! Obama is an inspiration and a role-model and whether you are American or South African, we should all look for the hope and positivity such a leader can bring out in people. - D |
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Interrogate this nonsense..
01/09/2008 10:07
This view should really be interogated and unpacked. Why wud a youthful SA find a hero in an American. The msg of Obama is not a new mesg.All they do is talk emotion aka soapie-like talk. Whre is the realism?The core of this argument suggests that anything of Africa should be dismissed despite our incomparable track-record of good leaders.What about Africa does this person hate that he finds salvation in a Western sale of such a cheap hero? It doesnt make sense but here it is! - Cape Town Kid |
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I have an African dream....
01/09/2008 10:08
Obama is not the African saviour that so many black Africans are expecting him to be. South Africa needs its own saviour/solution.This unrealistic expectation that many Africans have, that Obama somehow "owes" Africa because he is black is going to be the cause of much bitterness. Obama is AMERICAN not AFRICAN.He has his own country's problems to deal with. Ge a grip people.Lets get our own Obama! - Sen |
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MJZ
01/09/2008 10:08
Do some research. The US has taken Nelson Mandela of the terrorist list!
And Obama is FAR from the perfect leader. Speak to real Americans, the people on the street. Not the edited versions you see on tv here in SA. - Chantelle |
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If only....
01/09/2008 10:17
people of SA would be willing to vote such leaders in. But as Thabo Z clearly illustrates in his comment, we have a great leader in JZ!! Thats the problem. - Mart |
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Comparing??
01/09/2008 10:27
Imagine comparing our candidate running for President (Zuma) and the USA's candidate/s running for Presidency. I know that we are nowhere near the level of the States, but surely we have more eligible candidates then Zuma. If there is, please step up. - D |
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Boesman & AJ misses the point
01/09/2008 10:27
The message in Pitso's article is not to praise Obama; he is asking when will we in SA have a leader who is not involved in fraud, crime, own egoistic agenda, free from Africa's past history (not blaming colonialism for every thing), who has a vision of good for the country and all its people. When will we??? - Thys |
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MJZ...
01/09/2008 10:29
Nelson Mandela is NOT considered a terrorist in the US. Stop trying to spread your poison "Hate the West" propoganda. You can add Thabo and JZ, Malema, Vavi to that list of "God-like people that tend to elevate themselves to benevolent dictators who always know what is good for us despite our will with their either-you-are-with-us-or-against-us-balderdashy attitude!" - OB1 |
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Third world VS First world politics
01/09/2008 10:33
Pitso, great article, I admire your observations.
I am no fan of US politics but Obama has such charisma that when he speaks you just want to listen. In the midst of the economic downturn, low confidence he has risen and challenge the status quo. In that he has given many of the voiceless americans a voice and hope for change.
Once South Africa had a leader greater than Obamas of this world, we had Madiba sadly though his successor has failed to emulate or follow in that legacy. - Lyle Scott |
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Obama??
01/09/2008 10:37
I think the US population would do well to take a close look at South Africa and Zimbabwe before voting for Obama. This may be the end of the USA as a world superpower, with Obama in power they are history, history have proven this over and over. Not an opinion just a realistic observation. - Realist |
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@ MJZ
01/09/2008 10:37
Dude, you still living in the past as usual. Nelson Mandela has been removed off the terrorist list. Stay informed bro or you just land up making a fool of yourself. Like now. - Point Blank |
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We have one
01/09/2008 10:39
JZ. Lots of talk but lots of hot air. Obama is just way more educated. - Anon44 |
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pitso
01/09/2008 10:39
you must be a ancyl member
still living in the past. - fern |
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Is it because he is black?
01/09/2008 10:39
Pitso, I agree, Obama does seem to be a good choice. Obama is from a minority race group in the States. Have you looked at any of the minority race group politicians in SA when looking for a candidate as described in your article. It does not seem that way. I believe you only look at black politicians in SA and that makes you exactly what Obama apposes. Think again my friend... - Antelope |
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MJZ??!!!
01/09/2008 10:40
'according to America, Mandela is a terrorist??!!" sheesh boet where did u get that from? smoking the good stuff? - Charmaine |
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Walk the talk
01/09/2008 10:40
A good talker but can the man walk the talk and who is back the man - Slanesh |
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Barack...
01/09/2008 10:40
is a breath of fresh air, he is not a war mongerer like the Bush and McCain clans. OK, he doesnt have a track record, that doesnt mean he wont make a good Pres! I am not sure our Zuma will make the changes to SA that ThaboZ and Jabu Pule think he will. I want an SA Pres I feel I can trust, and sadly JZ doesnt instill that in me and if I was an Yank, I would vote for Obama because he exudes the trust I am yearning for in a leader just as I did with Mandela who got my (white)vote in 94! - GeePmb |
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Obama
01/09/2008 10:44
A South African Obama will be great but I feel someone like him might not survive the blood pit called South African Politics. I just hope the Yanks have the sense to make the right decisions this time round. Hey! Jabu I suppose Obama is not corrupt or violent enough to get your support. - Pangea |
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Obama
01/09/2008 10:45
A South African Obama will be great but I feel someone like him might not survive the blood pit called South African Politics. I just hope the Yanks have the sense to make the right decisions this time round. Hey! Jabu I suppose Obama is not corrupt or violent enough to get your support. - Pangea |
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Americans!
01/09/2008 10:50
Great Article Pitso! I for one detest American politics and foreign policy! But that is from my observations of the republicans! Bring on the democrats! I think Obama will be fantastic for global politics not just the USA. And i too share your dream of a SAn leader who will instill hope in all of us! Some people here miss the point you are trying to make. - Dave the Brave |
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The best person for the job
01/09/2008 10:51
America is showing the world that they can overlook race, class, gender, etc. and elect the best person for the job. I hope S.A. learns this before it's too late. - C.K. |
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something to think about
01/09/2008 11:01
Would we be having this debate if Obama were white ???
I doubt it . It just shows that we as a nation are still preoccupied with race . How sad that a person cant be judged by other qualities , besides the colour of his skin , in this country and the world .
- lips |
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Stop relying on individuals
01/09/2008 11:11
It is not a sign of a maturing democracy to pin your hopes on the skill or goodwill of one supreme leader. A true democracy is one whose structures and society is strong enough that no single person is able to ruin it. With Bush, America has proved that it cannot be ruined. We need to look at how SA will fare if JZ turns out to be a disastrous as Bush was. Just as Bush cannot damage it irreparably, Obama will find it difficult to improve irreversibly, because of the solidity of the structures of government. That is what is missing in SA and what makes our political crises so gut-wrenching. - Alan |
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Cape Town Kid
01/09/2008 11:13
Your arrogance and lunacy never lets up. "despite our incomparable track-record of good leaders" - who in Africa might you be referring to who have actually become presidents, besides Nelson Mandela? i could count them on one hand (I probably wouldn't even need all fingers). There is nothing wrong with aspiring/admiring leaders who aren't necesarily African. Lets also not Rubbish (or idolize) Obama until he has had a chance to prove himself. - OB1 |
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Martin Luther's dream still deferred
01/09/2008 11:14
Most of the world like Obama, heck, even i root for him - but i doubt thata the dream the Dr Luther King had will be fulfilled by this chap. He is starting to show populist tendencies like JZ, and might yield to Capitol Hill's bollox an way of life in a few years in the presidency.
'Beware the ides of march' proclaims the soothsayers ;-)
Nice article - KulKat |
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@ Thabo Z
01/09/2008 11:23
Thanks for your statement, Obama = Zuma. I needed something like that this morning as it made me laugh so hard I almost fell off my chair. I've learned that these forums should be taken lightly, but it always make up for a good laugh when you read the stupidity of people like yourself, Kolobe, Juan and old CT kid. PS. Well written article - more people should think like this. O, and Jabu Pule, while you want Pitso to go to the US, will you do SA a favour and go to ZIM. - petepan |
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@Sen
01/09/2008 11:23
i agree 100%. Obama is American, which means he will see and treat Africa the same as all of his predecessors did. I like him, but he won't make much of a difference outside his borders. Of course IF he wins. We know that the average american voted for Bush - twice... - Fraud |
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Give the mana a chance!
01/09/2008 11:34
I say give Obama a chance to prove himself as leader of the USA, should he win the presidential race. And realistically, Africa should realy start to find its own solutions instead of relying on some Western leader, whether black or white. Cape Town Kid/Girlie, with the exception of Madiba, what other African leader are you refering to with a track record? Idi Amin perhaps? - TTBoy |
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Reap what you sow
01/09/2008 11:41
Obama is a product of a New American culture or a divided nation as McCain is the Total opposite. Think we lost the plot as Mandela gave us a democratic land , Mbeki provided prosperity and lots of foreign investment . So From a South African point of view how did we end up with Zuma as the next guaranteed president of South Africa - Bob |
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Reap what you sow
01/09/2008 11:50
Obama is a product of a New American culture or a divided nation as McCain is the Total opposite. Think we lost the plot as Mandela gave us a democratic land , Mbeki provided prosperity and lots of foreign investment . So From a South African point of view how did we end up with Zuma as the next guaranteed president of South Africa . - bob |
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