Former health minister dies

The former South African minister of health Dr. Manto Tshabalala Msimang (1940-2009) died today at the Wits University Donald Gordon Medical Centre. In 2007 she underwent a liver transplant and she died as a result of complications from that liver transplant.

Tshabala-Msimang's statements that beetroot, lemon and garlic were good for HIV/AIDS caused widespread condemnation from AIDS activists. She was also reported to have smuggled wine into her ward while at hospital for a shoulder operation.

I think some will remember her as a struggle stalwart who served her people; while others will see her as the health minister who failed the nation.

Her work is done and only God can judge her. May her soul rest in peace.

Loud music drives me mad

It seems loud music and booze are the only means to celebrate?
Today is Reconciliation Day, and as far as I can remember it’s a holiday that everyone looks forward to. Everyone plans ahead for this day. People put money together and go out on trips, get together to buy meat, alcohol and play their music unbearably loud.

The air is thick with the smell of braai meat; loud music can be heard in every street; neighbours are playing their music loud as if to compete with one another while they drink themselves numb.

I doubt if tonight we are going to sleep peacefully with all the loud music. Sometimes I don’t blame the blacks who, once they get an opportunity to, immediately move out of the township to buy houses in the suburbs. They have had enough of neighbours who are not considerate of others.

I don’t care when people braai their vleis and drink their liquor and have fun in their backyards, as long as they don’t make noise for the rest of us. Why is it that when they enjoy they do so at our inconvenience. If they want loud music they should go to the disco or club.

When I enter the comfort of my home I expect that peace and quiet that can only come from my own home. But unfortunately I cannot enjoy that because when people party, they don’t care whether or not they cause a nuisance to others. What is to be done?