A selection of quotes of southern African interest.
“Having moved into a new job at the ANC was chaotic to say the least, and the organisation is unfortunately facing serious organisation challenges.” -- Former ANC spokesman Carl Niehaus in an SMS to his landlord, whom he owes more than R300,000 in rent, quoted in the Sunday Times.
“I can’t believe that such a senior person, especially of the ANC, can lie like this.” -- Niehaus’ landlord, Eric Corbishley, quoted in the Sunday Times.
“He told me he had been ill with leukaemia, had chemotherapy and wanted a holiday for his wife and two children. He played on my emotions with his illness.” -- East London travel agency owner Cheryl Clur quoted in The Star, about how Niehaus allegedly got her to pay for a R100,000 holiday to Mauritius.
“RHEMA Bible Church: An authorised financial services and credit provider.” -- Comment posted by Kgakgamatso Phatlane on the Mail&Guardian’s website in reaction to a story quoting a Rhema spokesman denying a report that the church had lent Niehaus R700,000.
“I informed the ŠANCÆ secretary general ŠGwede MantasheÆ last year that this is the kind of person you are employing.” -- Gauteng Premier Paul Mashatile on Niehaus.
“Niehaus is known for his uncompromising views, but is also respected for his honesty.” -- From the “A-Z of South African Politics” published in 1994.
“Only in Zimbabwe have I seen this kind of collapse in the public health system in the absence of conflict.” -- Médecins Sans Frontières International president Dr Christophe Fournier.
“As the ANC we call on Cope to stop using Luthuli’s name in vain.” -- The ruling party in a statement calling on Cope to stop using Inkosi Albert Luthuli’s name to drum up support in the province.
“Sometimes I sit at 4am, pulling my hair out because there is no equipment. We are not talking about drills only, but other important equipment that a surgeon cannot do without.” -- A surgeon at Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, quoted in the Sowetan.
“So we had solid proof they were not deceased because they had physically presented themselves for registration.” -- IEC chief executive officer Pansy Tlakula Half after 500,000 officially “deceased” people tried to register to vote in the last municipal election.
“I am willing to sponsor a flight for ANCYL president Julius Malema to Timbuktu until after the elections.” -- Eastern Cape public works MEC Christian Martin, in a letter published in The Star.
“We are not a girls’ school, we are a boys’ school.” -- A grade 11 pupil at Johannesburg’s Parktown Boys’ High in a call to a radio station to justify beating children during initiation ceremonies at the school.
“You know, there are some parties... you ask them about this, they say: ‘crisis, what crisis? We don’t know that there’s a crisis'. They'll say to you, ‘we've been too busy campaigning to know that there’s a crisis'. Or, ‘Maybe our leader’s gone for new Botox or something, we're too busy to consider this crisis'.” -- Finance Minister Trevor Manuel taking a dig at DA leader Helen Zille.
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