Hogarth: 03 October 2010

Hogarth knows no political allegiance and is equally impatient with ideological lunacy be it peddled by the left, the right or the centre.

In the grande scheme of things, still just an MEC

NOTES such as this one have flooded Hogarth's mailbox since the grandes dames of South African politics decided to test the power of two: "Minister Patricia de Lille will open the Active Ageing Golden Games in Oudtshoorn." A quick check of the cabinet list confirmed that Hogarth had not missed the much talked-about shuffle, and a dive into his dog-eared copy of the constitution showed that the president appoints ministers while premiers like Helen Zille get to appoint members of the executive council, better known as MECs. So has Ms De Lille, the MEC for social development in the Western enclave, been getting ideas above her station, or is Godzille preparing for UDI?

Thanks for the viva, Vavi

ZWELINZIMA Vavi went to the Nehawu congress to plead with delegates not to unseat the union leaders they had accused of "selling out" to government during the recent public sector strike. Despite Vavi's very long and detailed explanation, however, Nehawu delegates went on to oust their president and several other leaders of the education, health and allied workers shop. With friends like that, Mr President, who needs enemies?

A bit of a gamble

AS promised by their boss, ministers have been lining up to explain to reporters how they plan to co-ordinate their high-level activities and strategic resources to address the key deliverables that will serve the five national priorities, address the 10 strategic priorities and produce the 12 government outcomes that will make us all happy in time for the municipal elections next year. Many have chosen to do so at the "Emperors Palace". Is that the new name for the Union Buildings or are they just trying to raise the money that they need to get the job done?

Cat who walks alone

THE deputy president of the ANC likes to cut a path of his own, Hogarth observed at the ANC shindig in Durban. Alone among the dignitaries on stage at the opening, Kgalema Motlanthe opted for a white shirt with a collar instead of the yellow T-shirt everyone else chose to wear. And while everyone at the final session sang the song of Solomon with their arms raised, he whipped out his cellphone to shoot pictures or a video of the crowd.

Queried the pitch

THE digital version of ANC secretary-general Gwede Mantashe's report to the party faithful in Durban listed members of the national working committee as, among others, President ?Zuma, Jacob; Deputy President ?Motlanthe, Kgalema; Secretary General: ?Mantashe, Gwede. It seems things really were on a knife edge.

ACDP NGC? TV MIA

THERE it was in black and white. "This NGC thus does not support the calls for nationalisation of the mining," said the final report. Only "this NGC" was not that NGC. It was the other NGC, held by the ACDP. Apparently the SABC just could not find out in whose lounge it was held.

Province on the march

NORTH West party spokesman Kaizer Mohau tells Hogarth: "As of now and then the SACP in the province will be mobilising the entire province for the intensification of our struggle against corruption." Nothing too concerted then?

Nailed to the wall

"THE South African Government accordingly calls on the Israeli Government to honour its previous international commitments," says an angry message about settlement building. Whatever happened to quiet diplomacy?

Spell disaster

THE SABC aired a promotional clip for Heritage Day that referred to "Robin Island". That was before the island museum's annual report revealed that about R2-million could not be accounted for properly. Anyone seen Mr Hood?

• Write to: hogarth@sundaytimes.co.za