Ubuntu in Germany Column

Race plays a part in the Oscar verdict

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is a South African journalist and speaking in her column about the country of her birth. She had lived in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

Having followed and written about the Oscar Pistorius trial when the acclaimed Paralympic athlete shot and killed his blonde model girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp on Valentine’s Day in 2013, it was with sad horror that I heard the sentencing imposed on him by Judge Thokozile Masipa – a mere six years for her murder.

© The South African Paralympic star Oscar Pistorius has been sentenced to 6 years in prison. On 19 August 2013 he was officially charged with the murder of his girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp.

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Ubuntu in Germany Column

Can South African artists rise up to the ‘local is lekker’ challenge?

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is a South African journalist and speaking in her column about the country of her birth. She had lived in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

Depending on who you speak to – South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) COO Hlaudi Motsoeneng is either a saint or a sinner. He recently upped the local quota on all the SABC radio stations to 90% local and with 80% on the SABC TV channels. In Germany however, local programming is par for the course.

© South African band, BlkJks is widely respected and revered in Europe – but less so at home due to little radio play. With the new SABC quota, that could change.

Ubuntu in Germany Column

Experience true ubuntu when you use public transport in SA

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is a South African journalist and speaking in her column about the country of her birth. She had lived in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

Since returning to South Africa, I have been using public transport to get around. In my neighbourhood, I walk to the shops and enjoy the exercise but to get to work requires busses, metered taxis, TukTuks, the Gautrain and a great deal of patience. Besides getting where you need to be, you also experience true Ubuntu – up close and personal.

© The Sandton sunset taken from a Metro bus one afternoon. (Pic by A Smit-Stachowski)

Ubuntu in Germany Column

Tackle deep-seated racism or the SA economy will suffer

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is a South African journalist and speaking in her column about the country of her birth. She had lived in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

South Africa has experienced a wave of racist incidents showing the deep-seated white opinions and insecurities. It began with Durban estate agent Penny Sparrow, spread to Johannesburg with ex-‘Idols’ host and DJ Gareth Cliff and onto Cape Town as advertising executive Nicole de Klerk got fired for racist comments.

© Multiracial beach at Muizenberg in Cape Town. If only all of South Africa was as harmonious… (Picture by Alexandra Smit-Stachowski)

Ubuntu in Germany Column

Oscar is guilty of murder and so a worldwide chapter closes

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is a South African journalist and speaking in her column about the country of her birth. She had lived in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

The Oscar Pistorius trial has been intertwined in my life since it began – I posted on Facebook on Valentine’s Day 2013 saying crime drove him to it (not knowing the whole story), discussed it with colleagues while watching the trial live from a work laptop in Germany and listened to the first verdict while packing for South Africa. Now I am working in Johannesburg as the second verdict delivers true justice. Small world…

© Oscar Pistorius now found guilty of murder, as seen from South Africa.

Ubuntu in Germany Column

South African protests show a healthy democracy well worth investing in

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is a South African journalist and speaking in her column about the country of her birth. She had lived in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

Germans have watched the South African recent public marches with interest and wondered, “What is going on? Is South Africa falling apart? Should I worry about investing there?” Being in the centre of the action, as a South African who recently returned from life in Germany, I can say that all the protest is a healthy sign of a thriving democracy growing in a barren global landscape.

© Picture by Alexandra Smit-Stachowski: Recent protests in South Africa are healthy and show a thriving democracy. I took this picture balancing on a rubbish-bin while facing the EFF marchers, numbered at 40,000 who had just approached Sandton. The South African police kept a close watch.

Ubuntu in Germany Column

We are all African!

(Editor: Alex Smit-Stachowski is a South African journalist and speaking in her column about the country of her birth. She had lived in Krefeld, in North Rhine-Westphalia/ Germany).

As attacks on fellow Africans continue here in South Africa, locals are voicing their upset by marching on the streets and collecting blankets and food for the displaced victims. Xenophobia is a difficult issue – neighbouring countries supported us during the Apartheid days and now must see how their citizens are being beaten to death by faceless angry mobs.

© Ubuntu-Columnist Alex Smit-Stachowski returned home at the end of 2014 to South Africa – the land of her birth. She is observing and commenting the current xenophobic attacks on foreigners from African countries – mainly in Durban. (Source: flickr/ United Nations Photo)