Nkosana Zali

Aubrey makes important observations about these xenophobic attacks.

I have, over time, been impressed by the balance he brings to issues he is asked to comment on and how careful he is with the words he uses.

One of the observations he could be correct about is the fact that the ANC battles had stunted the organization’s focus and ability to prepare for transition from one leader to the next, given that the contests were beyond robust. At the party level, as always, the transition occurred smoothly. However, it is at government level that we have yet to see how the hand-over will pen out. But that time is not with us yet.

I wonder what Aubrey makes of a proposition that Mbeki might have started scaling back, taking a back seat to afford the new ANC leaders an opportunity to interact with issues and set momentum for implementation of Polokwane decisions? Whether the issues are as grave as the xenophobia attacks or mundane as Bafana Bafana? He is cadre and Polokwane also binds him, but he is led?

I do hear and take the point about our leader’s aloofness and so on, but would it not benefit the country that the state president work out his term with less and less on his plate. A civil war is not imminent.

I’m an angry South African too, and hate xenophobia and all phobias-particularly phobia for democracy, good governance and ubuntu. I however have a phobia for anger that is not guided by lucid argument like Aubrey’s (even if you do not agree with his analyses).

Kelly

I agree with Aubrey – The ANC are married in a separate house – what’s the difference between the president of the country who is the ANC – and the president of the ANC who is the ANC- they always puzzle me – how they are attending xenophobia is exactly how they are addressing their party issues – how do they divorce each other but remain to stay in same house?( this is how abuse starts in the families and they are promoting all this) unfortunately for him – he is still the president regardless of the pressures he receives – The ANC President talks a lot – he must start to be proactive

Xolani

I would have appreciated a much more thorough, concise and detailed article on the matter. This article is very short –to mention the very least- and I find this unacceptable for a senior journalist to write about such a contentious and serious issue in less than 500 words.

In fact there should have been a focus on these issues prior and post the Polokwane conference.

This article could have been more than 10 times better written, researched and focused on than how it stands currently.

I am concerned about the diminishing levels of quality journalism from the Times. You will remember that many of us –the Times readers- were annoyed about a Sunday Times article on a Capetonian woman who had triplets fathered by 2 different fathers.

Bearing this in mind, such incredously and irritating poor levels of journalism was severely unexpected from readers such as myself.

If your senior journalists write shoddy articles as this. I wonder what the Times’ junior journalists are writing? Most probably grade 7 literary works!

I am particularly unimpressed. Sort out your journalism hiccups! They are grossly unacceptable and somewhat mediocre for an established newspaper such as Sunday Times.

I was affronted by this poor journalism! I hope that I won’t find myself insulted again with your poor articles.

Mandla Moloto

This is the greatest opportunity for the to route out all the thugs in the Hostels by disarming them. They must conduct a door to door search all illegal weapons which the citizens are illegally keeping. No where in the world you can have an armed communities well known and accepted by society.

Disarm all citizens from illegal firearms and crime will cime down. These illegal weapons have been used to roost other humans like chickens, the soiceity must take a wake up call and stand against all sort of arms and illega weapons and drugs from the Nigerian pigs. Sadly only innocent people from Mozambique and Zimbabwe and Malawi were targeted leaving the drugs kigpins from Nigeria and other west africa.

sipho zulu

The contemporary crisis in RSA has long been coming, there has been a complete misplaced notion by Mbeki that African Reinaissance means an intelectuall driven process without setting foundation blocks from the communities.

Imposition of ideas cannot work but interaction of all affected stake holders do.

In RSA case poverty, collapse of service deliveries and stiff competion from other Africans has lead to the current crisis not third force as our government suggest.

South Africa is true cannot be an island of prosperity surrounded by sea of poverty but the truth however is that RSA cannot be bled white by influx of immigrants whom many have been failed by their respective governments.

What is the African Union/Pan African Parliament say about their failures to secure a better life for its citizen, surely no statement would ever be issued but instead accuse and condemn South Africa. Africa remember charity begins at home and noone ows Africa anything except that Africa must uplift itself from poverty.

With all the wealth that this continent posess, why have we failed.

Gillian Anstey

Xolani, most news stories, in both The Times and the Sunday Times, are not very long. This does not mean that they lack substance. Sorry you are disappointed with the standard of journalism. – Readers’ Editor

Xolani

Gillian Anstey

I am not the first reader to point the poor journalism of the Times and Sunday Times. Many bloggers have spoken out on this, especially the small postage stamp cartoons that you put up. There were recommendations that you actually emulate the M&G in this regard.

How can you honestly have a 4 paragraphed article on ANC affairs? It just skips me. Have a look at how the Mail and Guardian writes such stories or articles. Even a person who did not know anything about the ANC –if they read the M&G- become extremely familiarised with the organisation ,or any serious matter, and becomes well informed. Why is it an issue when I raise this very fact?

You did this (quality and informative articles) when you covered the Madlala Routledge –amongst others such as the Mr. Mbeki’s brother who died in Lesotho article- issue! Why can’t you maintain those standards? Readers such as myself will not tolerate less than what I know you are capable of and I apologise if that upsets you.

In my opinion, you should not be upset, as there is no room for this in the Sunday Times I have become to know.

Don’t be like the government and name all those who criticise you –constructively in this regard- as foe and hatreds of the Times.

I read your newspaper everyday online as well as on print. Moreover, I read both online and print versions of the Sunday Times every Sunday.

I know what I am talking about. The type of journalism exhibited by the Times as a whole is slacking and I am not going to sit and enjoy unnecessarily short and half researched articles.

Do your research and feed us quality media. Do not avoid the matter by simply replying in binary.

Accept constructive criticism and learn how you can improve the quality and value of your articles. I hope I won’t be disappointed this coming Sunday!

Nkosana Zali

Xolani,

Chief, it is not my intention to get into your “How’s your father?” with The Times and Gillian.

I wrote a piece on their first page Comment (Sunday Times 25-5-08) raising views that more or less are like yours.

But here specifically, I thought, having listened to the interview, it was adequate for me to form an opinion. The marketing worked, I noticed hence my input.

I do not suggest that you did not. Maybe what the Sowetan did with JZ would have worked here as well. I am certain that there is room for improvement. But who should be making the editorial decision ultimately? Aubrey would be livid if his excellent work were to be ensconced in some remote corner on cyberspace (if it is square). And if you get my point.

But fight on. It is interesting and we will watch.

Xolani

Nkosazana Zali

Point taken however my main concern is the slacking levels of quality journalism in the Times. I am specifically referring to the manner in which articles (in print and online) are written.

I of course am not the editor of these articles. However that does not mean I cannot do basic comparisons on the quality of reporting on news articles.

I did not level my criticism on the video interview. But I specifically criticised the print version of this interview. I would have loved to draw the same amount of a grand opinion based on adequate and satisfactory information that you found when listening to the interview.

By no means am I a qualified “Aubrey Mashiqi on the ANC” cyberspace critic. But you do not have to be a nutritionist to know that your pint or carton –which-ever tickles your fancy- of milk has gone sour.

And it is for this reason that I stand firm on sloppy articles.

carls

Xolani – are you saying that the while the print story was dissapointing, you found that the audio interview was more thorough and insightful?

I am just trying to ascertain which form of Times story-telling you are concerned about?

regards
Carly

Xolani

To Carly:

My concern (as reflected in my first posting) is the poor journalism and unnecessary short articles on matters of gravity pertaining to the leadership, management and future of this country.

What I am saying is that, yes the video interview was thorough but that is not my interest. What is though, is that the same level of thorough should also be envisaged and visible in the print version of the consequent article.

My repeated concern is quite clear, if you beg to attentively read my previous postings, on my concern on the so-called “story telling” of the Times.

Thus I continue to stress that articles need to reflect informed, accurate and insightful journalism. This was not achieved by Aubrey on this very article. The Times should be careful not to forget radical and serious journalism based on live video interviews etcetera.

I beg you to remember that newspaper articles are used as expository referencing in institutions of higher learning. Particularly to students studying journalism and/or politics.

Owing to this very fact, journalists need to remember that their articles are used for academic purposes- to mention but a few uses of newspaper articles.

Why is asking for jurisprudent articles from the Times such a big issue? I beg you to shed some light with me. We –I most certainly- simply cannot accept average standard journalism from established news institutions. Which have an abundance of resources which they choose to under-utilise.

I beg you to read articles from the M&G on this issue and you will realise what I am talking about.

Vince

You have an outstanding good and well structured site. I enjoyed browsing through it.

Iceland is Bankrupt

Your website looks really good. Being a blog writer myself, I really appreciate the time you took in writing this article. Check out my website if you get a chance, just click on name. (I don’t want to leave a link, it looks too spammy)