Yesterday was Life Chain day in Centurion. Life chains are held every year close to Life Sunday here in South Africa, which is the closest Sunday to 1 February. However, here in Tshwane it usually is held a little later.
Of course, the question on your lips is, "What is a Life Chain?" A Life Chain is an event in which Pro-Life people come together to protest peacefully against the wanton slaughter of South Africa's unborn children. It is usually known under the euphemism of abortion. Abortion simply is not a strong enough word to describe what it really is: MURDER! So, in a Life Chain, we get together to protest this legal murder, by standing in places that are busy, where people can see us holding posters with slogans such as "Abortion Kills Babies," "Abortion God Calls it Murder" and "Adoption Better Than Abortion." Some posters also contain pictures of aborted babies.
Something like abortion is not just another issue among many equal issues. There are issues and there are issues. There is a great divide between social issues and moral issues. When we look at issues, moral issues should and MUST take priority. That is why abortion and homosexual marriages, moral issues, have higher priority than social and monetary issues like, say, tax!
The Tshwane LIFECHAIN was organised by Christians for Truth (CFT). The local leadership for CFT that were there are Gregory Pereira and Dieter Claasen. This is an annual event that CFT organises here in Tshwane. This was the third LIFECHAIN that I attended.
When one considers the fact that 50000-60000 babies are aborted each year in South Africa, one wonders why more people are not involved in fighting this horribly evil occurrence in society.
One of the first quips when confronted with the abortion issue, is that it is a "political issue!" Of course it is a political issue, and that is how liberals would like to keep it. However, apart from being a political issue, it is, and always has been, a moral issue.
Many people would not think twice about fighting against crime, especially our high murder rate. Yet, these same people have never considered that abortion murders more than double the amount of babies annually than the number of murders in this country!
Have we in this country become so callous that we could refer to the murder of an innocent baby as "choice?" White bread or brown? 93 octane or 95 octane? Steak or chicken? We have devalued life in this country so much that we can slaughter these children without even a thought. Why would abortion be called a choice when the one being murdered does not get to choose?
However, it pleases me that the African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) stands squarely against abortion. It also pleases me that we could get some ACDP members to support this LIFECHAIN. Three of our Tshwane branch chairmen were there. They are Frikkie Olivier (Moreleta/Elarduspark branch), his wife Lenette and their children, Thinus Oosthuizen (Wierdapark) and Jack Mahlangu (Pretoria CBD).
I also had my family involved. Last year only my son could be there, but this year my wife, son and daughter could participate and also my wife's sister and her two daughters.
I believe that our children should be exposed to the evils of our current justice system and its accompanying laws, so that they could know the difference between evil and true justice for all! My children should understand the horror of abortion. They should understand that abortion is murder, and it is evil, no matter what the country's laws say on the issue.
If we as the people remain quiet about evils such as abortion, we become the silent partners of those evils. Silence is as good as agreement. Edmund Burke said, "All that is necessary for evil to triumph is that good men do nothing." If we do nothing, evil WILL triumph!
It is very necessary that we in the capital city take that charge of silence, and reverse its hopeless trend.
I once saw a cartoon drawing in which the main character asks God why he has not sent us anyone to bring us a cure to cancer and other diseases. God's reply was, "I did! But you aborted them!"
Let us be like the group in the picture above. Stand up for what is right in God's eyes, not what is right in man's eyes. These people above were those that stood up for those babies that could not stand up for themselves!
Update - 12 March 2008: To see a gallery of pictures from this LIFECHAIN, visit our website here and click on "LIFECHAIN March 2008 Pictures" on the right.
Sunday, March 9, 2008
Standing for Life against Death
Friday, March 7, 2008
ACDP responds to government discouragement of private electricity generators
MEDIA RELEASE
ACDP Parliament
Cheryllyn Dudley, MP and Parliamentary Whip
7th March, 2008
ACDP shocked that government chose to have no electricity rather than be unable to claim it provides the cheapest electricity. ACDP queries how the nuclear solution and the billions being spent will cost the consuming public less.
In answer to a question in Parliament by ACDP MP, Cheryllyn Dudley, about government discouragement of private electricity generators, President Mbeki has made it clear the reason his government discouraged private generators is because it would cause a rise in the cost of power and his government is proud of offering the cheapest electricity.
Cheryllyn Dudley, ACDP MP responds:
“South Africa now has electricity blackouts at least in part because alternative electricity generating companies have been kept out of the market. Foreign generating companies, for example, were told that they could erect generating plants in this country but that government officials would fix the price at which they could sell their electricity and decide to whom it could be sold. Not surprisingly they declined.
South Africa, now, in fact, has BOTH increased costs and blackouts.
Since government says it has the wellbeing of the poor at heart, the ACDP finds it strange that government did not consider electricity subsidies for the poor instead of discouraging the instantly accessible private electricity generators. How could it be in South Africa’s best interests to put the country into darkness, put the brakes on major construction plans and employment and thus further jeopardise the wellbeing of the poor!?
The ACDP asked the President what other avenues of alternative power have been discouraged as promising environmentally-friendly options seem to have been sidelined. Whilst the President accepted collective responsibility for the energy crisis and apologised, the ACDP wants to know whether the situation arose as part of a strategy to create a receptive atmosphere for nuclear solutions. Nuclear solutions have been speedily imposed without public debate or proper procedure as set out in the green paper. The ACDP is particularly concerned regarding disposal of toxic waste.
ACDP asks in light of the billions it will cost for nuclear power, does President Mbeki still intend keeping the price low? Or will it be just fine for the consuming public to foot the bill if the bill is for a nuclear solution?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
STUDENT RAMPAGE
STUDENT RAMPAGE
MEDIA RELEASE - MEDIA VERKLARING 26 Feb 2008 (Afrikaans hier onder)
TEACH PUPILS HOW TO MANAGE THEIR ANGER AND ACCOUNTABILITY
The ACDP is calling on parents and institutions of higher learning, such as the high school in Mamelodi and TUT, to educate their students on the proper civil methods of airing grievances.
We specifically refer to the recent unrest at TUT where chaos reigned because of increased tuition fees, and also to yesterday's unrest in Mamelodi where car tyres were burnt and damage to businesses by the pupils, amounted to R40 000. This also includes the fact that police were stoned when scholars wanted to report a rape.
Educators can start by teaching students how to put their grievances in writing in a proper manner. Even though we do sympathise with the frustrations of students, violence nor vandalism can ever be applauded. Further, students must learn that they will be held accountable for the damage they cause.
In conjunction with this, students can also be taught how to convey their grievances to the media without the added violence.
In the end, they must become leaders with the accompanied responsibility.
We invite students with grievances and the management of educational institutions to approach the ACDP to help with negotiations in the background.
The ACDP has the necessary skills and is determined not to use this for its own political gain.
AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP Councillor Tshwane Metro
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LEER STUDENTE HOE OM GRIEWE TE HANTEER EN AANSPREEKLIKHEID VIR DADE
Die ACDP doen ‘n beroep op ouers en hoër onderwysinstansies, soos die hoërskool in Mamelodi en die TUT om hul studente op te voed oor hoe om hul griewe op ‘n beskaafde manier te lug.
Ons verwys hier na die onlangse onluste by TUT waar amok gemaak is oor verhoogde klasgelde, en die oproer en bande brandery in Mamelodi, asook die onder die klippe steek van die polisie toe skoliere ‘n verkragting wou aanmeld. Besighede in die omgewing het skake gelei van ongeveer R40 000 tydens die geweld.
Onder die stappe waarmee opvoeders kan hand bysit is om studente te kleer om hul griewe behoorlik op skrif te stel. Hoewel ‘n mens soms simpatie het met studente se frustrasies, kan geen geweld goedgepraat word nie, en vandalisme net so min. Studente moet ook leer dat hulle aanspreeklik is vir die skade wat hulle aangerig het.
Studente kan ook geleer word oor hoe om hul boodskap doeltreffend en sonder geweld aan die media oor te dra.
Uiteindelik moet hulle leiers met verantwoordelikhede word.
Ons nooi gegriefde studente en die opvoedkundige instellings se bestuur ook uit om die ACDP te nader om agter die skerms te help bemiddel. Die ACDP het die kundigheid en onderneem om nie politieke munt hieruit te probeer slaan nie.
AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP Raadslid Tshwane Metro
Monday, February 25, 2008
ACDP not surprised by murder statistics / ACDP nie verbaas oor Pretoria se moordsyfers
ACDP nie verbaas oor Pretoria se moordsyfers MEDIA VERKLARING 10 Feb 2008
ACDP not surprised by murder statistics
The shocking murder statistics for Pretoria revealed today in Rapport comes as no surprise to the ACDP, says Ms. AnneMarie Sparg, ACDP councillor and media spokesperson.
“We, as well as other opposition parties, had been fighting – yes, unfortunately there is no better word to describe this – in council for the right of communities to protect themselves through access control. The same murder data had been quoted in council on numerous occasions. I myself had been trapped in crossfire once. The opposition is, however, slammed by members of the ANC during debates on access control, in the City Planning Committee.
“In some way or another, the ANC under the leadership of the Mayor, regards the freedom of movement of vagabonds as a higher order right than the right to life of law abiding citizens. We trust that the statistics quoted in Rapport today will shock the Human Rights Commission into action to have a keen look at the ANC’s abuse of power at the expense of the constitutional right to safety.
“The ACDP, at different levels, has repeatedly called on government to declare a state of emergency against crime. Also former Minister Pik Botha has done so.”
AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP COUNCILLOR TSHWANE METRO
079 498 6971
ACDP nie verbaas oor Pretoria se moordsyfers
Die skokkende moordsyfers wat Rapport vir dele van Pretoria vandag onthul, kom as geen verrassing vir die ACDP nie, aldus me. AnneMarie Sparg, ACDP-raadslid en mediawoordvoerder.
“Ons en van die ander opposisiepartye baklei – daar is ongelukkig nie ‘n meer beskaafde woord hiervoor nie – in die raad vir die regte van gemeenskappe om hulself met beheerde toegang te beveilig. Dieselfde moordsyfers is al by herhaling in die raad geopper. Ek self is by geleentheid in spervuur vasgevang. Die opposisie word egter vanuit die ANC-geledere verguis, met heel onwaardige verbale aanvalle.
“Op die een of ander wyse plaas die ANC, onder die leierskap van die burgemeesteres, rondlopers se reg op bewegingsvryheid bo wetsgehoorsame burgers se reg op lewe, en die syfers vandag in Rapport behoort die Menseregtekommissie te beweeg om ernstig na die ANC se magsmisbruik ten koste van burgers se grondwetlike reg op veiligheid te kyk.
“Die ACDP het al by herhaling op verskillende vlakke versoek dat ‘n noodtoestand teen misdaad afgekondig word – ‘n versoek wat ook deur oud-minister Pik Botha gerig is.”
AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP RAADSLID TSHWANE METRO
079 498 6971
MUNICIPAL SERVICES ARREARS - SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR COUNCILLORS & MAYOR
MEDIA RELEASE 28 Jan 2008
MUNICIPAL SERVICES ARREARS - SPECIAL TREATMENT FOR COUNCILLORS & MAYOR RAMAKGOPA
During the 24 January Council meeting in the Tshwane Metro, it came to light that several ANC and DA councilors including the Mayor Dr Ramokgopa were owing the CTMM for their municipal services, according to the Auditor General’s report for the book year, ending 30 June 2007.
Some of the amounts outstanding were as high as R57 000 per individual.
How do the Metro Police justify barging in at the office of Cornwall Hill Country Estate with fire arms and tear-gas , to switch off water because of an arrears account that was in dispute at the time?
On Friday 16 November 2007, the Metro Police, accompanied by Dayalyn Pillay of the Tshwane Metro, barged into the offices of Cornwall Hill Country Estate, in an exercise to unconstitutionally disconnect Cornwall Hill Country Estate’s water supply.
At the time, Diep in die Berg, Cornwall Hill and other security comPlexes were in arrears and in a dispute with the Tshwane Metro Council over their municipal services bills.
Despite the fact they were in dispute the Tshwane Metro came in an entourage of Metro Police with sirens and blue lights flashing, to have their services terminated. Why such a DISPLAY of POWER?
The ACDP finds that dual standards are being applied by the Tshwane Metro when it comes to debt collection.
Leaders need to set an example - what is good for the goose is good for the gander!
How can the Tshwane Metro clamp down on the ordinary citizen and not on councilors who are in arrears.
The ACDP challenges the Tshwane Metro to treat all rate payers the same in applying the debt collection policy.
Annie Sparg
ACDP Councillor Tshwane Metro
ACDP response to Student unrest
ACDP response to Student unrest - MEDIA RELEASE 20 Feb 2008
Students protest at TUT campus - ACDP response to Student unrest
"The time has come for unrest and protests to cease from being part of student life on our campuses." So said Cllr. AnneMarie Sparg, from the ACDP, in response to the newest student protests on the TUT campus.
"Even though we have sympathy for the situation of these students, especially those that are poor, who suffer under the financial demands from our universities and other institutions of higher learning," she added, "anarchy and violence remain unacceptable as a means to manipulate authority into compliance.
"We call on these students to follow proper procedure to raise their complaints, if their memorandum does not have the desired effects at the cut off time tomorrow. According to reports, a door had already been broken, even before the protest became violent. This type of 'break through' certainly does not seem peaceful.
"It is time for the leaders of this protest to show that they truly are leaders, and to bring calm and order among the protesters!"
AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP Councillor Tshwane Metro
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Studente betoging by TUT kampus - ACDP reageer
"Dit is nou hoog tyd dat onluste en onrus nie meer deel van die studentelewe sal wees nie," sê ACDP raadslid me. AnneMarie Sparg in reaksie op die jongste studenteprotes op die TUT-kampus.
"Al het ons dikwels simpatie met veral die arm studente wat noustrop trek onder die las van geldelike verpligtinge by universiteite en ander hoër onderwysinrgtings, bly wanordelikheid en geweld nie 'n aanvaarbare wyse van optrede nie.
"Ons versoek die studente dus om hul klagtes deur die regte kanale te voer as hul memorandum môre, met die spertyd, nie die gewenste reaksie oplewer nie. Daar is na berig reeds 'n deur gebreek nog voordat die protes nog gewelddadig geword het. Hierdie soort 'deurbraak' klink nie vir ons baie vreed saam nie.
"Dit is tyd dat die leiers van die protes bewys dat hulle wel leiers is, en vrede en kalmte bring tussen die protesteerders!"
AnneMarie Sparg
ACDP Raadslid Tshwane Metro
ACDP CONCERNED OVER DISRUPTION TO POLICE SERVICE BY SIT-IN
ACDP CONCERNED OVER DISRUPTION TO POLICE SERVICE BY SIT-IN
MEDIA RELEASE 7 February 2008
ACDP CONCERNED OVER DISRUPTION TO POLICE SERVICE BY SIT-IN
ACDP Councillor for Tshwane Metro, Ms Anne Marie Sparg says the ACDP is concerned at a recent sit-in staged at the Lyttleton Police station.
"The ACDP is alarmed to hear of the recent sit-in staged by members of POPCRU, the police and prisons civil rights union.
The ACDP is concerned about effective policing during such actions, and ongoing morale among staff as allegations were made casting aspersions upon the dignity of the commander and senior staff.
The ACDP has been made aware that there seems to be a situation at the Lyttleton Police station which could be creating a problem with much needed policing in the community.
According to Mr Kai Weinzheimer, a business man and director of Abvikeli Security, a company who’s services are being used by many residential complexes and industrial sites, there appears to be an issue with discipline at the station.
It is understood that some of the members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) are unhappy with the level of discipline under Director Wiese.
It appears Superintendent Palahd and other officers at the station object to Director Wiese’s style which has resulted in his his discipline being objected to on account of it.
The ACDP understands Director Wiese has been doing a sterling job and the Centurion community has expressed gratitude for the assistance and dedicated service they have been receiving from the SAPS under the leadership of Director Wiese.
Police officers who do not tow the line and fail the community need to be accountable. In fact, in terms of the constitution, members of the services acting in a disruptive manner and in so doing endangering the lives of the people they should be serving could be regarded as having committed mutiny.
The question is - how did the station manage to deal with people needing the services of the SAPS during the disruptive actions of POPCRU?
For further information:
Anne Marie Sparg
ACDP Councillor Tshwane Metro
