18 comment TheNewAgeNewspaper @The_New_Age Wednesday, 26 October 2016

EDITORIAL SA needs to get THE HORSE’S back into growth MOUTH SOUTH Africa is not in a happy place as it awaits today’s mid-term budget and if anyone expects miracles they are likely to be disappointed. Unfortunately there are no more rabbits to pull out of the hat and the mini budget This was the will very much be a zero sum game – if the only trophy finance minister gives to one ministry, he missing for will have to take from another. me and now I have it.” There is little room to manoeuvre. In his – Sundowns coach Pitso main budget speech in February, Finance Mosimane Minister Pravin Gordhan made it clear that government belt-tightening was on the cards. He slashed budgets for, among other expenses, travel, consultants and enter- tainment while asking state employees, including ministers, to cut back on spend- ing wherever possible. I’ve said Some ministers gave this a lukewarm enough.” – response but Gordhan clearly intends to ANC chief curb state spending further, raise taxes whip Jackson Mthembu and cut the budget deficit to 3.2% of gross following up on his recent domestic product this fiscal year, from pronouncements on the 3.9% last time around. ANC NEC We hope we will hear today that his austerity campaign has been a success because it’s important for the country’s credit ratings that we are seen to be fis- cally disciplined. BLUE PHASE: A woman walks past a section of a mural by stencil artist Logan Hicks titled The Story of My Life on the Houston Bowery Finance ministers are a bit like football wall in New York on Monday. coaches – so many people think they can do a better job. It’s a sover- But one thing everyone agrees on is that eign decision we need to shake the economy out of its of South stupor and create jobs. Africa or Big business, the government and trade whatever country. It was unions have been working hard behind the a sovereign decision to scenes to achieve this, but nothing will be join. It’s their sovereign achieved in talk shops. Brics economic decision to go.” – Afri- We need a radical change in the very can Union Commission structure of our economy to set us back on chairperson Nkosazana a growth path. It won’t be easy, but do it we Dlamini Zuma talking must. about the ICC. Public transport plans advanced Africa regional centre of the New Development Bank links Brics and African continent needs fixing now THIS DAY WE ARE just coming to the end of Trans- WE H AVE just returned from the eighth India and South Africa in international affairs port Month and you would be excused for Brics (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Analysis and support their aspiration to play a greater IN having spent the whole month in total igno- Africa) sSummit, which also marked the 10th role in the UN. rance of this fact. anniversary since the first meeting of Brics MAITE NKOANA-MASHABANE The substantive measures undertaken by HISTORY Sadly, even though transport and the foreign ministers in New York in 2006, which the UN membership to make the process of hugely important issues that go with this instituted the partnership. Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical selecting and appointing the UN Secretary- vast topic are something we should all be The Brics leaders convened in Goa, India, and Economic Cooperation (Bimstec) compris- General more transparent and inclusive was concerned about, Transport Month has from October 15 to 16 . The leaders once again ing Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Myanmar, also welcomed. lacked the required traction that it should confirmed their commitment to the founding Nepal, Sri Lanka and Thailand. The leaders conveyed their gratitude to the have had in the public space. principles, which underpin their cooperation, In terms of the reform of global govern- outgoing UN secretary-general, Ban Ki-moon, October 26, 1976 Regarding the complete inadequacy of as enshrined in the 2011 Sanya Declaration, ance institutions, pertinent issues deliberated for his contribution to the UN during the past our public transport, we have not seen namely openness, solidarity, equality, mutual included support pledged for the coordinated 10 years. They also congratulated Mr António ON OCTO- much fanfare. Unfortunately this is because understanding, inclusiveness and mutually effort by the emerging economies to ensure Guterres as his replacement, expressing their BER 26, the same old stumbling blocks exist and beneficial cooperation. the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) 15th support and undertaking to work closely with 1976 the there is just at present no evidence of any The principles were carried into the Goa General Review of Quotas, including the new him. oldest of the breakthrough being on the horizon. Declaration, the primary outcome document of quota formula, will be finalised within the President Zuma was notably encouraged independent This needs to be addressed far more the summit together with its action plan. agreed timelines, as well as to ensure that the by the synergies between his stated priority homelands, urgently than it is. We cannot even refer to The host and current Brics chair, India’s increased voice of the dynamic emerging and areas and South Africa’s foreign policy objec- Transkei, a public transport system as the word sys- Prime Minister Narendra Modi, proposed to developing economies reflects their relative tives. Brics leaders underscored the opera- gained tem denotes something far more sophisti- set a target to double intra-Brics trade from contributions to the world economy, while pro- tionalisation of the Africa regional centre of complete cated than the dire methods of transport $250bn (R3 trillion) to $500bn by 2020. tecting the voices of least developed countries, the New Development Bank was welcomed as independence offered to commuters at present. The memorandum of understanding on poor countries and regions. a mechanism for cooperation between Brics as an autono- Trains and buses are inefficient and mini customs cooperation, which was concluded at In this regard, it was emphasised that the and the African continent. Leaders noted mous repub- bus taxis are uncomfortable, dangerous the summit, was seen as an important step in two chairs on the executive board of the IMF the operationalisation of the Brics contingent lic under and antiquated in terms of mass transport. this direction. and its reform should strengthen the voice and reserve arrangements as a mechanism of the policy But we cannot just throw up our hands Leaders also emphasised the importance, representation of the poorest members of the strengthening the financial safety net. of separate in despair – we must address this situation to ensure the implementation of the Strategy IMF, including sub-Saharan Africa. Brics leaders decided to propel the propos- development. with urgency. for Brics Economic Partnership and notably The leaders also warmly welcomed and als for the creation of a Brics credit rating At its opening session the Transkei National the implementation of its action plan and road acknowledged China’s milestone achievement, agency, a railway research network, an agri- Assembly elected paramount chief Botha J map of projects. namely the inclusion of the RMB into the Spe- culture research platform and a sports council. Sigcau as the Transkei’s first president and In this regard, the South African chapter of cial Drawing Rights’ currency basket. They once again reaffirmed their commit- Kaizer Matanzima as prime minister. the Brics Business Council developed a publi- In respect of reform of the UN, leaders ment to ensuring that this strategic grouping, The new republic did not incorporate WISE WORDS cation containing priority projects. The first- again recalled the 2005 World Summit Out- which provides an amplified voice for the the apartheid ideology into its constitution, “If I had my choice I would kill every reporter ever Brics Trade Fair was also held in New come document and reaffirmed the need for core interests of emerging and developing but became a multiracial state in which all in the world, but I am sure we would be getting Delhi and the South African pavilion attracted a comprehensive reform of the UN, including economies, will continue to be innovative in its citizens had the franchise. The Republic of reports from Hell before breakfast.” – William many visitors. its Security Council, with a view to making it approaches to finding meaningful and sustain- Transkei was not recognised beyond South Tecumseh Sherman Brics leaders have fully embraced the more representative, effective and efficient, able solutions to the shared challenges of the African borders. The General Assembly of regional outreach engagement, an initiative and to increase the representation of the devel- modern era, while at all times maintaining the the United Nations rejected the declaration started by President Jacob Zuma in 2013 when oping countries so it can adequately respond interests of their people at the core of all Brics of independence as invalid and called upon all he invited the African leadership to meet with to global challenges. undertakings. governments to deny any form of recognition Brics leaders. Prime Minister Modi invited the China and Russia reiterated the importance Maite Nkoana-Mashabane is Minister of Inter- to Transkei and other Bantustans. – www. leaders and his fellow members of the Bay of they attached to the status and role of Brazil, national Relations and Cooperation sahistory.org.za How to contact us: Tel : 011 542 1222 Fax : 011 314 2986 NEWS : [email protected] BUSINESS : [email protected] SPORT : [email protected] Stepping up measures to protect canned lions OPINION : [email protected] [email protected] LETTERS : year when lions were declared as protected Faced with declining habitat and prey, lions [email protected] LIFESTYLE : under the Endangered Species Act, giving are increasingly targeting livestock and people [email protected] Analysis ONLINE : Fish and Wildlife the responsibility to regulate KEY POINTS – resulting in retaliatory killing. [email protected] ARTS & CULTURE : DON PINNOCK the import of live lions, lion trophies and other » Because South Africa was unable to “Unless effective measures are taken to parts and derivatives. demonstrate the conservation value of protect lions, their prey and habitat, lions canned lion hunting, the US last week Advertising Sales : 011 542 1233 BECAUSE South Africa was unable to dem- The ban does not include the importation banned the import of all trophies from may face extirpation from many parts of their onstrate the conservation value of canned lion of trophies taken from wild or wild-managed captive lion hunts in the country historic range. We understand that securing ETHICS AND PROFESSIONALISM: hunting, the US last week banned the import populations if they have been authorised by the lion’s future depends upon finding solu- » According to the director of the US The New Age subscribes to the South African Press of all trophies from captive lion hunts in the the South African government. tions that recognise the needs of those people Code, which calls for excellence in journalistic Fish and Wildlife Services, Dan Ashe, practice and ethics, and reporting that is truthful, country. “We cannot and will not allow trophies into lion trophies may only be imported from and communities who share the landscape accurate, fair and balanced. If you feel The New According the director of the US Fish and the US from any nation whose lion conserva- exporting nations like South Africa if with them.’ Age does not live up to the code, you may register Wildlife Services, Dan Ash, lion trophies may tion programme fails to meet key criteria for they can provide evidence of the hunts For this reason, US Fish and Wildlife will a complaint with our attorneys, Van der Merwe only be imported from exporting nations like transparency,” Ash said. benefiting the long-term survival of the be working with partners to protect lions and and Associates. Please mark your complaint for South Africa if they can provide evidence of The service noted that it had received species in the wild address the threats they face. This includes the attention of Martinus van der Merwe who will ensure that your complaint receives the appropri- the hunts benefiting the long-term survival of import permit applications from US hunt- » ‘That burden of proof has not been met. efforts to reduce cattle depredation and other ate attention. the species in the wild. ers seeking prey in Mozambique, Namibia, If and when such benefits can be clearly lion-related conflicts, while also supporting “That burden of proof has not been met,” Zambia and Zimbabwe – for permits to import shown, we may reevaluate our position’ tourism and other sustainable economic activi- Fax: 086 733 0101 said Ash said. “If and when such benefits sport-hunted lion trophies. “We will only ties involving wild and wild-managed lions. Email: [email protected] can be clearly shown, we may reevaluate our approve those applications if we receive suf- It will also be expanding its capacity to work The New Age is published by TNA Media Pty Ltd., position.” Most recent lion trophies imported ficient evidence of long-term benefits to wild to more than double by 2050 – pushing set- with international law enforcement agencies to 52 Lechwe Avenue, Corporate Park South, Old Pretoria Main Rd, Midrand, Gauteng, Telephone 011-5421222; into the US have been from captive popula- lions resulting from those programmes,” Ash tlements, grazing and agriculture into lion investigate, arrest and prosecute poachers and Printed by Caxton Printers, 14 Wright Street, Industria, tions in South Africa, so the decision will likely said. habitats. traffickers. Johannesburg, Gauteng; Printed by CTP Newspapers Cape, a division of CTP (Ltd), Boompies Street, Parow, Western substantially reduce the total number of lion The US expressed concern for wild lions Humans are depleting the wild prey that Don Pinnock is a writer and conservationist, this Cape; Printed by Caxton Highway Mail, 115 Escom Road, trophy imports. in Africa and for good reason. The human supports lions, consuming these animals or article was supplied by the Conservation Action New Germany, Pinetown, KwaZulu-Natal Moves towards the ban began earlier this population of sub-Saharan Africa is projected selling them as bushmeat. Trust