Barney Pityana's utterances unfortunate - Presidency

Neil Aggett Lecture Utterances Disappointing 

The Presidency is disappointed by the unfortunate utterances attributed to former UNISA vice-chancellor, Dr Barney Pityana, delivered at the Neil Aggett Memorial Lecture (see here - PDF.) 

Some of the comments attributed to Dr Pityana stoop way below dignified public discourse and intellectual engagement.  

They are not worth repeating save to caution once again that disagreements are welcome in a democratic society, but should take place within the bounds of common human decency without promoting a culture of hurling insults. 

In addition, some of the utterances are incorrect and misleading. 

For example, Dr Pityana repeats the tale that Government is building a new city in Nkandla, the emphasis being that the village is apparently the only one that receives attention from government. This is incorrect. 

The Nkandla smart growth centre will form part of the KwaZulu-Natal provincial government's programme of the revival of small rural towns and the formalization of rural unplanned towns and urban settlements. The towns include Ndumo, Manguzi, Msinga, Mbumbulu, Nkandla, Charlestown, Jozini, Ngwavuma, Dududu, Weenen and Colenso. 

At the national level, Nkandla is one of 23 districts that have been identified by government for interventions due to deep levels of poverty, scientifically established through thorough investigation. 

Some of the progress made already in these districts in projects run by the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is as follows;   

In Diyatalawa and Makholokoeng, in the Free State government is building community infrastructure such as schools, crèches, a community hall, solar geysers, housing, two clinics and a dairy.

In Masia in Limpopo, a multipurpose facility is being built.

In Jacobsdal in the Free State, a multi-purpose community complex is being planned. It will include a crèche and a village viewing area. The upgrading of the Ratanang Stadium is underway.

In Goedgedacht, in the Western Cape, government is building a Rural Leadership Youth Centre that will provide aftercare for small children and leadership for youth.  The Department of Rural Development is also in the process of purchasing an adjacent farm to develop amongst others a blacksmith museum and tourist centre, restaurant, market and to develop Agri-village for the current farm residents.

In Beaufort West, in the Western Cape, sports and recreational facilities for the youth will be built.

In Mbashe, Eastern Cape, we are working with the local community and the traditional authority to develop a Master plan for development projects, especially focusing on tourism and agriculture.

In Ludondolo in the Eastern Cape, the focus is on infrastructure development.  In July, President Zuma visited the area to assess progress with the building of the Dalibhunga bridge in Mvezo and a 10 km access road that is currently under construction.  The river valley catalytic project has also been started in the village. In addition, land is being prepared for community agricultural practices.

In Limpopo, the Department of Rural Development and Land Reform is working with the Sekhukhune district municipality in planning a rural node similar in size and scope to the Umlalazi-Nkandla Smart Growth Centre, for the Jane Furse township. It is envisaged that this development will consists of government offices, recreational park, schools, a crèche, a shopping complex, clinic and sports facilities.

In Mayflower in Mpumalanga we are revitalizing the town through the provision of infrastructure such as a bridge, road paving, upgrading of the sewer amongst others.

In Dysselsdorp in the Western Cape, revitalization projects include 10 Sandbag houses, 90 rainwater harvesting tanks, a crèche, five renovated schools, an old age home as well as solar geysers to the home. 

In Witzenberg in the Western Cape, we are building a walkway and recreational area for the youth.  In addition, phase two is underway and includes the development of a community area and swimming pool, houses for older persons, a crèche and the upgrading of the sewer system.

There are various other rural development projects by other government departments nationally and provincially in various rural towns and villages. 

We wish to emphasise that no government funds have been committed specifically to the Nkandla Mlalazi Smart Growth initiative.  The Department of Rural Development and Land Reform developed a model of the smart centre to showcase the concept of green development. The model was on exhibition during the United Nations COP 17 conference held in Durban last year. That is the only expenditure on the town. 

No other Departments have made commitments or have been asked to make commitments to the delivery of facilities and infrastructure on the site.  The development of Nkandla will continue as part of the revitalisation of rural towns project, similar to other areas without any preferential treatment. 

On other matters raised, we expect Dr Pityana to know that allegations do not mean people are guilty, and even more so in the case of the rape accusations as the President was acquitted in a court of law. 

We invite intellectuals and other stakeholders in society to join government in building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa. 

Government is ready and willing to benefit from the talent that abounds in the country. 

Statement issued by The Presidency, September 25 2012

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responses to this article

Mac the spin Pityana hit the Presidency in the old Z spot. One of the few Cadres with the courage of his convictions; Viva the truth. by Charles Nkula on September 25 2012, 23:15 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

majoring in minors I'd say you're majoring in a very minor part of Pityana's speech Mac. ...Thre are far more serious criticisms in the presenation than the Nkandla development. by CM on September 25 2012, 23:27 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Be Warned! Big Brother Speaks! What Maharaj does is exclude the important issues raised by Pityana, thereby avoiding the inherent truths in Pityana's criticism. Nkandla is planned as a town, with infrastructure befitting that of the nucleus of a city, whereas the other developments are . .more smaller ad hoc developments in already established peri-urban areas. The most striking part of Maharaj's retort is: "We invite intellectuals and other stakeholders in society to join government in building a non-racial, non-sexist, democratic and prosperous South Africa." There seems to be an Orwellian threat in these words, as if to say that Pityana, in not supporting Zuma, is being racist, sexist and undemocratic. That he has somehow, through his utterances joined the racist, sexist and undemocratic forces that seek to undermine the National Democratic Revolution. But Maharaj's utterance also excludes the hundreds of thousands of ex-patriots who are forced to live outside their homeland because of the skewed and racist employment rules and regulations governing the employment of whites, and white men in particular. Are these people not stakeholders in society? They certainly have the experience and qualifications to build a just and equitable society as they are highly sought after in their countries of exile. Why are they not invited? . .less by Markza on September 26 2012, 07:08 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mac Daddy the Serpent Mac Daddy is particularly circumspect in navigating around the criminal case which was WITHDRAWN by Judge Nicholson C , in Pietermaritzburg . Most saffers with an Intelligence Quota above shoe size are perfectly aware that any criminal case withdrawn can . .more be revived at any time . Mac Daddy , the truth and the whole truth please and nothing but the truth - including why you are wearing FNB's bullets . You are one of those who speak with the guile of a serpent , while attempting to conceal the stench arising from some fetid bog . . .less by Green Room on September 26 2012, 07:13 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Response to Pityana's critical utterances Shame! Poor Mac does not have a suitable response to Pityana's speech. 98% of the speech is spot-on.It must be tough to defend a lame-duck first citizen that must set an example, and cannot do so! It must be pretty awful to try and defend somebody so out . .more of his depth. But then again, the CancER regime fatcats do not really concern themselves about the rest of the citizens or the what is said about them....."the anc will rule until Jesus comes!" Well interestingly enough....please enjoy the last years of your corrupt rule! The PEOPLE are tired of promises, mismanagement, lies, corrupt CancER politicians and utter stupidity. This will shortly change and a government will be chosen to represent the people and rectify the huge mess left by the CancER regime . .less by Piet Oliemans on September 26 2012, 08:26 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Pityana a hypocrite I would wonder if hatred sometimes fools us or blind us to misinform the public on the truest of them all. Why is it always Dr Pityana get personal with JZ, state facts without getting under the belt with the man Dr Pityana, you always taught us to play . .more tha game and not the man, but you. In so far as our country moirals being reduced, it started even under Mandela and Mbeki for that matter, it cannot be true that suddenly the country has reached lowest elb under JZ, mind you it's only 3 years since he took office and reasonably it takes administration atleast 5 years for it's fruits to bare, so I take it that the rot started long before he came into office. We must never lose sight and tackle the man, I reserve my right NOT to respect Dr Pityana but will never insult him, I choose not to. . .less by Lehlogonolo on September 26 2012, 09:21 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

The writing is on the wall The truth will set you free - providing it is our truth. Whats good for the goose will be given only to the goose. All animals are equal but some are more equal than others.............you get the picture. by Plagiarism and Plattitudes on September 26 2012, 10:23 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Unconvincing Mac in denial Mac, what on earth is "a village viewing area"? I'd be happier if you were planning "a village doing area". In fact we'd be much better off if the ANC did more doing than planning and talking. by Argus Eye on September 26 2012, 11:25 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

read Jay Naidoo's comments on MA in his autobiography Mac, and the whole Vula crew, don't come out as very nice people.... by MN on September 26 2012, 11:51 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

A comical reality! Mac Maharaj reminds me of Saddam's former defence minister happily smiling in an office and telling the world press that the Allies had in fact lost, Iraq is problem free, and that the media is fabricating stories and pictures to the world. All this . .more whilst in the background there are scenes of the liberating troops doing their work. He even looked behind him and out of the window, smiled, and said it wasn't happening. Of course it was staged that way. Mr. Maharaj - this is how people view you around the world! Some things change - some stay the same. . .less by Plagiarism and Platitudes on September 26 2012, 12:01 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Unfortunate? Unfortunate for you and your criminal president. But nonetheless true. by Alto on September 26 2012, 13:11 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mac cirp-chirp-tweet-tweet! Maharaj has not bothered to read the speech, he is actually responding to media headlines. These developments he talks about pale into insignificance and scale against the Nkandla development. He is spin-doctoring the facts. Dr Pityana in his speech says . .more "..choice is the exercise of human freedom...but what and how we choose is influenced by our moral codes, our intellectual curiosity, that multitude of phenomena that are embedded in our consciousness, and which at times we take for granted.." That's precisely the choice our government took in building a monument to Zuma's presidency in Nkandla. Pityana also takes a bite at us the electorate that we are fast asleep while our Country burns. He says we have a Constitution that is worthy and exudes hope for our Country and what does Mac say? "Some of the comments attributed to Dr Pityana stoop way below dignified public discourse and intellectual engagement." He is simply not interested in facts, in fact, he just doing his job, chirping away the truth from public discourse! . .less by Shadowside on September 26 2012, 16:39 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Invitation to intellectuals Mac, how many African intellectuals have you deployed in the cabinet and senior government positions to help build a non-sexist, non-racial, democratic and a prosperous South Africa? ANC members of African decent with experience and pedigree academic . .more credentials have applied for vacncies and been excluded and not considered by the cabals in the Prsedency and other government departments!. . .less by Tseko Nell on September 26 2012, 16:57 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

Mac you are a predictable funny but useless person In my opinion you talk utter nonsense and are either dumb or suffer from dementia. by Mac the joke on September 26 2012, 19:50 Find this comment inappropriate? Report it

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