Remembering that dreadful day!
Friday, September 11, 2009
Monday, September 07, 2009
Tuesday, September 01, 2009
Is RICA (sim card law) a good thing?
As South Africans, we don't always keep up with new laws and new amendments to the constitution. For those who do not know, the Constitution of South Africa has been amended 16 times already. Have you read any of our Acts or Bills?
The next question would be: Have you heard of the Regulation of Interception of Communications and Provision of Communication-related Information Act 70 of 2002 (RICA)? Well, the fundamentals of this law is that each SIM card, whether that card is for prepaid, contract or data use, must be registered against your name and identification. To find out more about this act without having to actually read the act, you can read Cell Phone SIM Cards and RICA.
The purpose of RICA, which came into effect on 1 July 2009, is "to regulate the interception of certain communications, the monitoring of certain signals and radio frequency spectrums and the provision of certain communication-related information." The two troubling words here are "interception" and "monitoring."
The apparent reason for this act is to assist in fighting crime. Criminals use cell phones to commit crime, and so the government wants to be able to listen into cell phone connections in order to find out where such crimes will be committed. So, the theory behind this act is that criminals will no longer be able to use cell phones to assist in their dastardly crimes. The question is how the government will be able to know whose conversations to listen to. Will they have a suspicion about a person, and then listen into his conversations? How does this help if by the time of the suspicion, the incriminating conversation is already finished, and the planning of the crime already concluded? That is too late! What if the suspicion is wrong, and a person's privacy has been violated?
The effectiveness of this law can only be guaranteed if all calls are monitored and certain keywords are used to intercept specific conversations. However, that will be a blanket violation of all citizens' privacy rights. In fact, I wonder how the government will ensure that our constitutional rights aren't violated in this regard. Section 14 of the constitution, dealing with privacy, says the following:Any law, including RICA, is subservient to the constitution, therefore, if RICA violates point 'd' then this law will have to be amended or even scrapped.14. Privacy
Everyone has the right to privacy, which includes the right not to have
a. their person or home searched; b. their property searched; c. their possessions seized; or
d. the privacy of their communications infringed.
Having said all this, how effective will this law be? The Abortion Nepotism and Corruption party, ANC, has a very sorry track record when it comes to fighting crime. In fact, it does not seem like they are serious about fighting crime at all. The fact that the police is ridiculously under-funded, and in many places they do not even have enough vehicles for fighting crime points to the government's flippant attitude towards the crime problem in this country. Also, the fact that it has become so much more difficult to continue owning personal firearms, never mind purchasing new firearms, perhaps points to a more sinister reason for disarming law abiding citizens! Citizens without the capability of actually defending themselves against gun-wileding criminals are simply open targets for criminals. The reality of the situation is that criminals will not bother registering their weapons, since they are criminals, and as a result no law will stop them from having weapons.
We already have enough laws against crime. These laws are not applied! A law that is not enforced is no law at all! Laws have meaning when they enforced. If our crime laws were actually enforced, silly laws like RICA would not be needed! In fact, based on what we already know about South African law enforcement, my guess is that RICA will amopunt to nothing. Most probably, RICA will get challenged in the Constitutional Court sooner or later.
Lastly, I do not trust this government at all They have proven to be unreliable in how they treat its own citizens. They ignored the voice of the people with regards to abortion, pornography and same-sex marriage, and legalized them all. The people overwhelmingly stood against these heinous evils by a great majority, yet the governnment legalized them anyhow. The ANC cannot be trusted, and with regards RICA, and the technology at hand, our constitutional privacy will soon come to an end!NO PRIVACY
Intercepting your calls daily!
coming to a cell phone near you on 1 January 2011!
Monday, August 31, 2009
Nomination process for Commissioners to the South African Human Rights Commission is open
Human Rights must always be balanced by simple common sense, of which there is little in the world these days, and built upon the privileges of life that God established in the Bible. Rights should also be counter-balanced by responsibilities.
Please nominate Christians to this commission!
The following arrived in my Inbox from the Parliamentary Monitoring Group:
Nominations: Commissioners to the South African Human Rights Commission
Advertisements were placed in the media in May 2009 calling for nominations for five full-time Commissioners to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The closing date for those nominations was 8 May 2009.
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, which has been tasked by the National Assembly with making recommendations on the names of persons to fill the vacancies in the Commission, has decided to reopen the nomination process. This is because the National Assembly may decide to nominate more than 5 Commissioners and may also decide to nominate part-time as well as full-time Commissioners.
Nominations are, therefore, invited from individuals, organisations, institutions and civil society for suitable persons to be appointed as full-time or part-time Commissioners to the SAHRC.
The nominees must:
The persons recommended for appointment as Commissioners must:
NB:Nominees who complied with all the requirements set out in the advertisement of May 2009 need not reapply, as their nominations have already been accepted for consideration.
Enquiries: Mr V Ramaano tel. (021) 403-3820, cell: 083 7098427
Issued by Mr Ngoako Ramatlhodi MP: Chairperson: Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development
Thank you,
Mlulami Dodo
Parliamentary Monitoring Group
Website: http://www.pmg.org.za
Access to all Parliamentary Committee information
Email mlulami@pmg.org.za
Tel 021 465 8885
Read More......
Please nominate Christians to this commission!
The following arrived in my Inbox from the Parliamentary Monitoring Group:
Nominations: Commissioners to the South African Human Rights Commission
Advertisements were placed in the media in May 2009 calling for nominations for five full-time Commissioners to the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The closing date for those nominations was 8 May 2009.
The Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development, which has been tasked by the National Assembly with making recommendations on the names of persons to fill the vacancies in the Commission, has decided to reopen the nomination process. This is because the National Assembly may decide to nominate more than 5 Commissioners and may also decide to nominate part-time as well as full-time Commissioners.
Nominations are, therefore, invited from individuals, organisations, institutions and civil society for suitable persons to be appointed as full-time or part-time Commissioners to the SAHRC.
The nominees must:
- Be South African citizens who are fit and proper to serve on the SAHRC
- Comply with any other requirements prescribed by national legislation, in particular the Human Rights Commission Act, 1994
- Possess suitable qualifications, expertise and experience in the area of human rights,
The persons recommended for appointment as Commissioners must:
- Promote respect for, and a culture of, human rights, including rights to information and equity
- Promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights
- Monitor and assess the observance of human rights
- Act impartially and independently, without fear, favour or prejudice, in the conduct of their duties
- Actively promote public awareness of and education on human rights and assist members of the public in accessing their rights
- Be involved in the investigation of alleged human rights abuses or violations and recommend measures for redress
- Contribute to the research and reporting functions of the SAHRC.
- Full name, ID number and gender
- Contact details, including physical address, telephone/cell number and e-mail address
- Relevant previous experience (including relevant dates and organisations concerned)
- Academic qualifications.
NB:Nominees who complied with all the requirements set out in the advertisement of May 2009 need not reapply, as their nominations have already been accepted for consideration.
Enquiries: Mr V Ramaano tel. (021) 403-3820, cell: 083 7098427
Issued by Mr Ngoako Ramatlhodi MP: Chairperson: Portfolio Committee on Justice and Constitutional Development
Thank you,
Mlulami Dodo
Parliamentary Monitoring Group
Website: http://www.pmg.org.za
Access to all Parliamentary Committee information
Email mlulami@pmg.org.za
Tel 021 465 8885
Nomination process for Public Protector in South Africa is open
Nominations for Public protector in South Africa has been opened again. If you know someone who would do well in this position, please nominate that person! It would be excellent to get a godly Christian in this position!
Nominations must be in by Friday, 4 September 2009 at 16:00.
I just received the following from the Parliamentary Monitoring Group:
Nominations: Public Protector
The Office of the Public Protector is an institution supporting constitutional democracy, established in terms of sections 181 to 183 of Chapter 9 of the Constitution. Although it may not investigate court decisions, the Office of the Public Protector must investigate matters related to maladministration in relation to the affairs of Government, improper conduct by persons in the Public Service, improper use of public money, improper or unlawful enrichment of a person performing a public function, as well as acts or omissions by a person performing a public function that result in improper prejudice to another person.
The Public Protector must accordingly seek to strengthen and support constitutional democracy through conducting investigations into alleged improper conduct by organs of State, facilitate resolution of disputes, reports and recommend remedial action and raise public awareness about its role and responsibilities. The Public Protector must be accessible to all persons and communities and must be efficient and effective in the execution of its duties. The Office of the Public Protector must be broadly representative of the population of South Africa in both race and gender.
In accordance with the provisions of section 193 of the Constitution, the National Assembly hereby invites nominations from individuals, organisations, institutions and civil society for a suitable person to be appointed as Public Protector.
The nominee must:
Nominations must reach Committee Secretary Mr Thembinkosi Ngoma at tngoma@parliament.gov.za by no later than Friday, 4 September 2009 at 16:00.
Enquiries: tel: Mr Thembinkosi Ngoma (021) 403-3733, cell: 072 145 9368
Issued by: Adv TM Masutha, MP: Chairperson of the ad Hoc Committee to Nominate Person for Appointment as Public Protector.
Thank you,
Mlulami Dodo
Parliamentary Monitoring Group
Website: http://www.pmg.org.za <../../../../../../>
Access to all Parliamentary Committee information
Email mlulami@pmg.org.za
Tel 021 465 8885
Read More......
Nominations must be in by Friday, 4 September 2009 at 16:00.
I just received the following from the Parliamentary Monitoring Group:
Nominations: Public Protector
The Office of the Public Protector is an institution supporting constitutional democracy, established in terms of sections 181 to 183 of Chapter 9 of the Constitution. Although it may not investigate court decisions, the Office of the Public Protector must investigate matters related to maladministration in relation to the affairs of Government, improper conduct by persons in the Public Service, improper use of public money, improper or unlawful enrichment of a person performing a public function, as well as acts or omissions by a person performing a public function that result in improper prejudice to another person.
The Public Protector must accordingly seek to strengthen and support constitutional democracy through conducting investigations into alleged improper conduct by organs of State, facilitate resolution of disputes, reports and recommend remedial action and raise public awareness about its role and responsibilities. The Public Protector must be accessible to all persons and communities and must be efficient and effective in the execution of its duties. The Office of the Public Protector must be broadly representative of the population of South Africa in both race and gender.
In accordance with the provisions of section 193 of the Constitution, the National Assembly hereby invites nominations from individuals, organisations, institutions and civil society for a suitable person to be appointed as Public Protector.
The nominee must:
- Be a South African citizen
- Be fit and proper to hold the office of the Public Protector
- Comply with any other requirements prescribed by national legislation, in. particular the Public Protector Act, 1994.
- Be suitably qualified and experienced with a reputation for honesty and integrity
- Be subject only to the Constitution and the law
- Be impartial and must exercise his her powers and perform his / her functions without fear, favour or prejudice thus preserving the Office's independence
- Maintain high standards of trustworthiness
- Account for decisions and actions
- Display courtesy to all, treating people with dignity and respect
- Be sensitive towards and understand stakeholders' needs and feelings
- Strive to execute responsibilities fairly and consistently with due regard for the facts of each matter
- Full name, ID number and gender
- Contact details, including physical address, telephone/cell number and e-mail address
- Relevant previous experience (including relevant dates and organisations concerned)
- Academic qualifications.
Nominations must reach Committee Secretary Mr Thembinkosi Ngoma at tngoma@parliament.gov.za by no later than Friday, 4 September 2009 at 16:00.
Enquiries: tel: Mr Thembinkosi Ngoma (021) 403-3733, cell: 072 145 9368
Issued by: Adv TM Masutha, MP: Chairperson of the ad Hoc Committee to Nominate Person for Appointment as Public Protector.
Thank you,
Mlulami Dodo
Parliamentary Monitoring Group
Website: http://www.pmg.org.za <../../../../../../>
Access to all Parliamentary Committee information
Email mlulami@pmg.org.za
Tel 021 465 8885
Friday, August 28, 2009
Thursday, August 27, 2009
I do not want these thugs to defend my country!
Ill-disciplined! No national or military honour! That is my opinion of these soldiers that should have the character to do battle for our country against evil foes!
But, no! These thugs would rather take to the streets with all kinds of hand weapons, destroying private and public property as they march on. Soldiers, who have sworn to fight for this nation and to die for it if necessary have no business taking to the streets marching on the capital, acting in the exact opposite manner in which they have sworn to act. This is dereliction of duty! Our own police department had to shoot at these thugs with rubber bullets to restore order. What does that say about the men in our military?
My question would be why these thugs joined the military in the first place! Was it to get a salary, or to become defenders of our country? If it was for the former, then they have made the wrong choice! These are the kind of people that will desert their country in battle and difficult times, because they do not have the strength of character, nor do they serve this country with honour!
When I was in the army we only received about R60 per month, and when we fought in the Angolan Border War we were paid about R150 per month. Here we fought for the honour of our country! Our men died there, yet we pressed on to battle evil.
These so-called soldiers behaving like thugs have no battles! They do not face death every day! They do not march in the bush for weeks, many times without food, still facing the enemy! The only enemies they face today are their bank balance, their dishonourable conduct, their criminal behaviour! In the proverbial story of mice and men, they do not even qualify as mice! They are cowards who do not deserve to serve in the military. They are a disgrace to this nation and should be punished accordingly.
Oh, that our country would be defended by men of honour and not just men with the mentality of boys looking for a salary. It is time that the real men in our military deal with these thugs!
With people in our military like this, it will indeed be a dark day when real war comes back to our doorstep!
Let's pray that day never happens!
Read More......
But, no! These thugs would rather take to the streets with all kinds of hand weapons, destroying private and public property as they march on. Soldiers, who have sworn to fight for this nation and to die for it if necessary have no business taking to the streets marching on the capital, acting in the exact opposite manner in which they have sworn to act. This is dereliction of duty! Our own police department had to shoot at these thugs with rubber bullets to restore order. What does that say about the men in our military?
My question would be why these thugs joined the military in the first place! Was it to get a salary, or to become defenders of our country? If it was for the former, then they have made the wrong choice! These are the kind of people that will desert their country in battle and difficult times, because they do not have the strength of character, nor do they serve this country with honour!When I was in the army we only received about R60 per month, and when we fought in the Angolan Border War we were paid about R150 per month. Here we fought for the honour of our country! Our men died there, yet we pressed on to battle evil.
These so-called soldiers behaving like thugs have no battles! They do not face death every day! They do not march in the bush for weeks, many times without food, still facing the enemy! The only enemies they face today are their bank balance, their dishonourable conduct, their criminal behaviour! In the proverbial story of mice and men, they do not even qualify as mice! They are cowards who do not deserve to serve in the military. They are a disgrace to this nation and should be punished accordingly.
Oh, that our country would be defended by men of honour and not just men with the mentality of boys looking for a salary. It is time that the real men in our military deal with these thugs!
With people in our military like this, it will indeed be a dark day when real war comes back to our doorstep!
Let's pray that day never happens!
Friday, August 14, 2009
Do you use Google Alerts?
Have you heard of Google Alerts? It could save you lots of time searching for relevant topics.I have been using Google Alerts for some time now. There are certain topics that I like to keep track of, and without having to constantly search for it on Google, I let Google Alerts inform me when a new article/blog post has appeared on the web that uses the term or phrase that I want to be kept informed about.
As an example, let's say you would like to be kept informed about a certain political party (I keep and eye on two political parties: the African Christian Democratic Party and the Christian Democratic Alliance). Whenever something about that party is said on the internet, and Google has found those articles and indexed them in its search system, it will email you with a link to the article, and the first few sentences in that article. I use the phrase "African Christian Democratic Party" and "ACDP" to maintain my alerts about the African Christian Democratic Party.
Of course, if you are an entertainment junkie and still think that movie actors and singers are stars and heroes (shame on you!), you can ask Google Alerts to inform you when something new has been written about those fallen stars.
You can set your alerts up in different ways to keep track of the same thing as I showed in my example about political parties above. For instance, if you would like to be kept informed about that ultra-leftist, liberal communist, Barack Obama, you can set up alerts on the following: "Barack," "Obama," "Barack Obama," "The One" (dripping with sarcasm here), "Barry Soetoro," "ObamaCare" and many more. In this way you will be able to keep tabs on the man who has never had a real job apart from his political mis-carr
So, make life easy on yourself, and start using Google Alerts!
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Modesty, beauty pageants and hypocrisy
Like most people you have probably heard about the Carrie Prejean, Miss California, Miss U.S.A. debacle. There are differences on both sides of the church aisle on this issue. Stan Guthrie wrote an interesting article called A Modest Proposal: Truth, Grace, and Carrie Prejean.
Of course, the whole issue made me think of the cartoon above. It is amazing how the liberal left likes to point fingers at conservatives. Whenever a conservative messes up, he would get tagged as a hypocrite. That is very rich coming from the left. The only reason why the left thinks that they are so wonderful is because their standards are so very low. It is so easy to keep to those standards.
Wednesday, August 05, 2009
Using the Flock web browser
I have been using Flock for some time now. What is Flock? Good grief! You must be living under a very heavy rock that has you stuck in a very deep, muddy groove!
Flock is a web browser. Ha! But, it is not just a web browser. It is a browser on social steroids!
With Flock, you can be connected to several social networks at once, such as Facebook, Twitter, Myspace and more. You can also be connected to various media sites such as Youtube, Flickr, Photobucket, Picasa and more. Further, it hooks you up with your blogging site, such as Blogger, Wordpress, Typepad, etc. Yet further, you can also be connected to your webmail service such as Gmail, Yahoo Mail and AOL Mail. All of this while you do not have one of these sites open as a web page in your browser.
In Flock, you will see all your new feeds from Facebook, Twitter, etc. You will even know when you have new mail.
You can also blog using Flock's own blog editor. In fact, this is the first time I am using the Flock blog editor with this very post. For instance, I simply dragged the Flock logo below from the Flock website to this editor. Voila!
Just like Firefox, Flock is also powered by Mozilla. So, what you think you have in Firefox, you will get tons more in Flock. Many of the Firefox add-ons also work in Flock.
Anyhow, I have done enough plugging for Flock now. You actually need to install it and use it to see what a great browser it really is.
Finally, I also dragged this Youtube video straight from Flock's Media Bar onto the blog
editor.
Cool, huh?Blogged with the Flock Browser
Thursday, July 23, 2009
Looting just the beginning: South African government starts reaping
When people in this country get angry, the first thing they do is break the law. They burn trains, kill foreigners, have violent strikes and now simply walk en-masse into supermarkets, helping themselves to food and other goods.
Each of these actions, performed mob-style, is a criminal action. To burn property, commit violent acts during strikes and taking what is not yours, is criminal. When people commit such crimes they should pay for those crimes. Especially those that instigate such actions. Nozipho Mteshane, chairperson of the South African Unemployed People's Movement (SAUPM), should be charged for instigating theft on such a scale. It is one thing to say that people are hungry and can't make ends meet, but it is a whole different issue when those people are instigated to commit crime.
When you look at the pictures in the gallery at IOL, it doesn't seem like these people are that bad off. Certainly, these are 
well-dressed looters. Apart from instigating people to steal food en-masse from food stores, SAUPM also wants the government to pay each unemployed person R1500 ($187, €136, £118) per month.
South Africa has 17.87m people that are employable. Of these, 23.5% or 4.2m are unemployed. That leaves 13.67m that are employed. Based on the R1500 that SAUPM is demanding for each unemployed person per month, the South African government will need an additional R6.3b per month. That means, R75.6 billion ($9.45b, €6.87b, £5.9b) per annum! This is simply ridiculous!
On the other hand we have the ANC-ruled South African government. Their policies have brought this type of action on themselves. They have kept pushing up the minimum salaries that people are supposed to be paid, and in the domestic worker market, some people can simply not pay the minimum salaries anymore, with the effect that some have lost their jobs.
Furthermore, the ANC bred a people of strikes and violence pre-1994, and the children of those people learnt from their parents. As a result, we have a people today that know only one way of dealing with problems: violence and looting!
The ANC has a lot to do before this country can ever be normalized, and my guess is that they don't know how to do it! The question is, will that drive us back into becoming a socialistic nation?
Friday, July 17, 2009
Annual Review of South African Constitution
The Parliamentary Monitoring Group has issued an invitation as follows:
In terms of Section 45(1)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the Constitutional Review Committee must review the Constitution annually.
Therefore, members of the public are invited to make written submissions to the Constitutional Review Committee on specific sections of the Constitution that they feel need to be reviewed.
Submissions can be emailed to Ms Pat Jayiya at pjayiya@parliament.gov.za by no later than Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Issued by Adv SP Holomisa, MP and Mr BA Mnguni, MP: Co-chairpersons: Constitutional Review Committee
The document is also here: www.pmg.org.za/policy_docs?page=1
Read More......
In terms of Section 45(1)(c) of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, 1996, the Constitutional Review Committee must review the Constitution annually.
Therefore, members of the public are invited to make written submissions to the Constitutional Review Committee on specific sections of the Constitution that they feel need to be reviewed.
Submissions can be emailed to Ms Pat Jayiya at pjayiya@parliament.gov.za by no later than Wednesday, 19 August 2009
Issued by Adv SP Holomisa, MP and Mr BA Mnguni, MP: Co-chairpersons: Constitutional Review Committee
The document is also here: www.pmg.org.za/policy_docs?page=1
ANNOUNCEMENT: Should Prostitution Be Legalized? Open Public Debate - Wed 29 July
The Public Square Foundation will be hosting a debate on SHOULD PROSTITUTION BE LEGALISED? between Cheryllyn Dudley, Member of Parliament for the ACDP and Eric Harper from the Sex Workers Education and Advocacy Taskforce (SWEAT).
When: Wednesday, 29 July, 19:00
Venue: UCT Upper Campus, Richard Luydt Room, Cape Town.
All Welcome.
For more information contact Gaynore Cele: 021-7026000 or 0741044136.
Sent out by:
Africa Christian Action
PO Box 23632
Claremont
7735
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 021-689 4481
E-mail: info@christianaction.org.za
Web: www.christianaction.org.za
Read More......
When: Wednesday, 29 July, 19:00
Venue: UCT Upper Campus, Richard Luydt Room, Cape Town.
All Welcome.
For more information contact Gaynore Cele: 021-7026000 or 0741044136.
Sent out by:
Africa Christian Action
PO Box 23632
Claremont
7735
Cape Town
South Africa
Tel: 021-689 4481
E-mail: info@christianaction.org.za
Web: www.christianaction.org.za
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Driving in South Africa - Pt 3
Read Part 1, Part 2 if you haven't yet.
Intersections
Who does not get frustrated at an intersection where you have to wait for oncoming traffic before you can turn, especially when that intersection does not have a green flashing arrow to allow you freedom to turn while oncoming traffic must stop for you? Of course, then you have to wait for the oncoming traffic to pass before turning and, in the event of the traffic light turning red, then you quickly have to turn before the traffic starts moving on the road perpendicular to your own.
In this scenario, South Africans are not very disciplined. Since many of these intersections without a flashing green arrow on the traffic light only allow about 2 or maybe 3 cars to go through after oncoming traffic has to stop for the red light, many people take the liberty of quickly "slipping" through.
For those who do this "slipping" through the red light in order to turn, without mentioning the obvious accident scenario, there are other problems with this. One of those problems is that "slipping" through like this on a red light causes a slowing down of the traffic coming from the sides. Now they have to wait for Mr/Mrs Selfish before they can go, slowing traffic down at the back, ensuring that the number of cars that should have made it through that green light could not make it. What this causes at the previous traffic light is a heaping up of cars, many of whom now get stuck in the middle of that intersection, blocking traffic from the sides. I hope you can see the cumulative effect of "slipping" through!
Even though some lights do not allow for many cars to make their turns, it doesn't give the driver the right to to make his turn when the light has turned red!
So, how should this scenario be approached in an equitable way? When you are at such an intersection waiting to turn across oncoming traffic, move your vehicle as far forward as safely possible. This way, more cars (1 or 2) can also get across the solid white stop line at the traffic light. As a result, all the cars that have crossed that white solid line can turn. The problem comes when the light has turned red. All cars that are still behind the solid white stop line should stay put. That means if you are behind that line and the light turns red, you may not go any longer! You are jumping a red light and should be fined for doing so! Do not see this as an opportunity to stick to the tail of the car in front of you and so "slip" through! By "slipping" through like this, you affect the lanes where the light has just gone green.
Lane changing
The question, of course, is which lane should you enter if you turn into a double-(multi) lane road? This is simple, really. The picture here explains it in a visual way. If I am travelling from north to south and I want to turn west, I should enter the lane on the right of the double lane road as indicated by the green line in the image. This means that if there is a flow of vehicles north/south, and there are vehicles both from north and south wanting to turn west, then those vehicles from the south should keep to the left-hand lane and the vehicles from the north should be able to use the right-hand lane. That is what the green lines portray. That means that the red line in the image becomes a no-no for the person coming from the north wanting to turn west. The simple rule here is to turn into the lane closest to you.
Why is this important? Well, the obvious reason for this is traffic flow. In this way, cars coming from the north turning west do not have to wait for cars coming from the south to first turn before they can go, helping with traffic flow. Obviously, when 2 lanes are allowed to turn, as is the case coming from the south, then those coming from the north must wait.
Once you have turned into your lane, you then change to the lane that you need to be in, after you have indicated your intended lane change with the relevant indicator.
Driving is all about ettiquette, and agressive driving is pure selfishness. Rather than making it easier for yourself by being a rude and crude driver, think of those around you. The roads in South Africa do not belong to a certain group only. It is part of an infrastructure built for all South Africans.
In essence, be a thoughtful and kind driver, not an oaf!
Continue with Part 4.
Read More......
Intersections
Who does not get frustrated at an intersection where you have to wait for oncoming traffic before you can turn, especially when that intersection does not have a green flashing arrow to allow you freedom to turn while oncoming traffic must stop for you? Of course, then you have to wait for the oncoming traffic to pass before turning and, in the event of the traffic light turning red, then you quickly have to turn before the traffic starts moving on the road perpendicular to your own.
In this scenario, South Africans are not very disciplined. Since many of these intersections without a flashing green arrow on the traffic light only allow about 2 or maybe 3 cars to go through after oncoming traffic has to stop for the red light, many people take the liberty of quickly "slipping" through.For those who do this "slipping" through the red light in order to turn, without mentioning the obvious accident scenario, there are other problems with this. One of those problems is that "slipping" through like this on a red light causes a slowing down of the traffic coming from the sides. Now they have to wait for Mr/Mrs Selfish before they can go, slowing traffic down at the back, ensuring that the number of cars that should have made it through that green light could not make it. What this causes at the previous traffic light is a heaping up of cars, many of whom now get stuck in the middle of that intersection, blocking traffic from the sides. I hope you can see the cumulative effect of "slipping" through!
Even though some lights do not allow for many cars to make their turns, it doesn't give the driver the right to to make his turn when the light has turned red!
So, how should this scenario be approached in an equitable way? When you are at such an intersection waiting to turn across oncoming traffic, move your vehicle as far forward as safely possible. This way, more cars (1 or 2) can also get across the solid white stop line at the traffic light. As a result, all the cars that have crossed that white solid line can turn. The problem comes when the light has turned red. All cars that are still behind the solid white stop line should stay put. That means if you are behind that line and the light turns red, you may not go any longer! You are jumping a red light and should be fined for doing so! Do not see this as an opportunity to stick to the tail of the car in front of you and so "slip" through! By "slipping" through like this, you affect the lanes where the light has just gone green.
Lane changing
The question, of course, is which lane should you enter if you turn into a double-(multi) lane road? This is simple, really. The picture here explains it in a visual way. If I am travelling from north to south and I want to turn west, I should enter the lane on the right of the double lane road as indicated by the green line in the image. This means that if there is a flow of vehicles north/south, and there are vehicles both from north and south wanting to turn west, then those vehicles from the south should keep to the left-hand lane and the vehicles from the north should be able to use the right-hand lane. That is what the green lines portray. That means that the red line in the image becomes a no-no for the person coming from the north wanting to turn west. The simple rule here is to turn into the lane closest to you.
Why is this important? Well, the obvious reason for this is traffic flow. In this way, cars coming from the north turning west do not have to wait for cars coming from the south to first turn before they can go, helping with traffic flow. Obviously, when 2 lanes are allowed to turn, as is the case coming from the south, then those coming from the north must wait.
Once you have turned into your lane, you then change to the lane that you need to be in, after you have indicated your intended lane change with the relevant indicator.
Driving is all about ettiquette, and agressive driving is pure selfishness. Rather than making it easier for yourself by being a rude and crude driver, think of those around you. The roads in South Africa do not belong to a certain group only. It is part of an infrastructure built for all South Africans.
In essence, be a thoughtful and kind driver, not an oaf!
Continue with Part 4.
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