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Last Update: Feb. 19, 2001 |
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American KKK to help SA farmers?
THE Ku Klux Klan could assist the revolution in South Africa, said the National Imperial Wizard of the Clan, Rev Jeffery L. Berry from his home in Indiana on Thursday.“If we had financial backing, we could help the white farmers in South Africa,”said Berry, the leader of the most active clan in the States, The Church of the American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. Berry had heard of the killings of farmers through newscasts and contact with South Africans on the internet. “We have people in the military who could protect their property, and we have people in the right places. If we had financial backing, we could have 4000 people over there real quick.” He had heard that “the blacks over there are burning houses, that people are going into hiding and getting shot.” He also heard that news media is controlled by the new government. Berry emphasised that he wants to form alliances with the growing number of white South African exiles who belong to organisations such as the Springbok Club, which is based in London. He also wants to establish relations with the Volkstaat Orania’s leadership. Berry reckons within 10 years, the Klan will have to leave the United States. Berry had heard that a young Nazi is the ruler of Orania. “I want to contact him, because we need to go somewhere, otherwise we are going to be slaves. The United States is going to hell,” says Berry. The clan has already established branches in seven different countries, including England, Canada, Ireland and Sweden. The Klan leader is convinced that Ku Klux Klan could assist South Africa. He says they have people in all the right place, “governors, mayors, congress people, our invisible people who provide us with information. Nobody knows they’re in the Klan as well as in the right political organisations. Our people blend in with society.” He also commented on former president Nelson Mandela. “It is not right that Mandela, who was convicted of felony” became South Africa’s president. You cannot take a convict out of jail and make him the leader,” Berry said. The reverend has been arrested and accused of several criminal activities himself. Berry and other members of his group have been arrested and convicted of felony charges, according to a report by the Southern Poverty Law Center’s KlanWatch in Montgomery, Alabama. He was also convicted of felony theft in a 1994 matter involving home and vehicle repairs for an elderly neighbor. He was given a reduced sentence in the theft cases after agreeing to work as an informant in drug cases. The reverend was recently released on bail after the allegedly imprisoning a television cameraman and a reporter, both of Louisville, Kentucky after they refused to hand over tapes of a recorded interview. He claims he is innocent, and that the event was a stage media ploy. Berry believes the media has distorted the truth to present a particular image about the Ku Klux Klan. “The Ku Klux Klan stands for “equal rights for all, special rights for none,” he explains. The popular view of the Klan, is that they hate blacks. Berry denies this, even though he has been quoted frequently in the media for his use of race pejorative and hate speech. “I use the word nigger to describe a dirty low down person, and I have met more white niggers than black niggers in the United States. Berry claims he is also opposed to slavery and racism. “The government is promoting racism. The US government wants society to believe in racism, and they make everyone think that the KKK is based on hate.” The Klan is opposed to the foreign aid that the United States gives to several countries. “My theory is that we have to take care of our own, we have many homeless and illegal people. Take care of America first.” According to Berry, the KKK is the strongest third party in the United States even though they do not run for government. Although official membership statistics of the Klan are a well kept secret, Berry admits that he receives 500-700 calls a week from people who wants to join the Church of the Knights of the Ku Klux Klan. There are several other Klan operating in the US. He admits that the Klan has definite political aspirations even though they remain a secret organisation. They are also getting impatient. “We are getting tired. Blacks can belong to the NAACP, or the Black Panther Party, but when you belong to the KKK, people think “Oh you’re a racist.” Berry says blacks want their race to continue, and so does the Klan. “We are standing up for the white race. We want the white race to continue. The Klan wants to preserve the white race. We are opposed to black and white integration which means breeding a mongrel race.” He claims the Klan only wants to be proud of their white race, and what their forefathers have accomplished. “Why can’t I be proud of that without being called a racist?” Berry asked. He reckons whites should learn from blacks to stick together. “I always says it is not black power, it is white weakness.” Being constantly misrepresented by the government and the media, is a problem which the Klan faces in this millenium, Berry claims The Klan is often represented as violent. “Violence is the last resort, when I am protecting my life.” Berry’s house in Indiana has been burnt down once, and it has been shot at 17 times. The house has also been bombed 14 times. “The police are after me constantly,” Berry claims. “Because I am outspoken.” In order to become a member of the Church of the American Knights of the Ku Klux Klan, one cannot be a member of any other Klan in the States. One also has to send a $20 donation and sign a declaration that states: “I, the undersigned, a native born or fully naturalized American citizen, being a White man or woman of the Christian Faith, sound in mind and a believer in White separatism.” Thanks to Matheson Communication [ Top ]  Kytie Koekblik ColumnKytie Koekblik Washington D.C. - My verhouding met die metro het begin twee dae na ek in Washington DC aangeland het. 'n Liefdes-haat verhouding. Die Baas het gese hy gaan met my 'n draaitjie ry in downtown DC, sodat ek die Wit Huis en die Capitol kon sien. Ons het in sy blinknuwe trooper gery, sy "Bakgat" nommerplaat het uitgestaan tussen al die "Celebrate and discover Washington DC" nommerplate op al die ander karre. Skielik het hy voor 'n majestieuse gebou gestop, nog 'n groot wit olifant tussen al die enorme wit monumente en museums in DC. "The Union Station" het die Baas gese. "Now take the metro red line, and I'll pick you up in Bethesda, Maryland." En skielik het die aarde my ingesluk. Ek was onder in die maag van die magtigste stad in die hele wereld. In Washington noem hulle die ondergrondse sneltreine, die metro sisteem. In London en New York praat almal van die subway, of die underground, as jy tegnies wil wees. Dit was my eerste keer op 'n subway. Ek kon die trillings aanvoel in die aarde, ek kon myself die secret service agente voorstel in en om die Wit Huis, skarrelend bokant my kop, ek kon dink aan al die mense in hulle besigheidssuits en die skoon wit sypaadjies en die blink vensters van groot geboue. Ek was daarvan afgesluit. Onder in die tonnels van die stad, was my bestemming donker en onbekend. Ek het my oe toegemaak, my ore het begin suis en toegeslaan. Dit was 'n vreemde gevoel, geen wereld wat verby jou flits nie, net donkerte. En die surreele stem wat skielik aankondig: Tenleytown, American University. In die maag van 'n vreemde kontinent. Ek het by Bethesda afgeklim, en skielik het die langste stel roltrappe wat ek in my hele lewe beleef het, voor my gele. As jy op kyk is die mensies klein daarbo; as jy klim is jy halfpad poot-uit. Die metro het nogsteeds nie sy misterie verloor nie. Na ses maande van elke liewe dag op die rooi lyn klim, soggens en saans, weet ek nooit wat om te verwag nie. Soms simboliseer die Washington DC metro die steriliteit van die stad, en op die stram, ,voos gesigte kan jy die dae hulle tol sien eis. Die subway in New York City het meer karakter, daar is meer karakters wat treinry en soms wonder jy of jy in die States is want jy hoor alle tale behalwe American English. Niemand praat ooit met mekaar op die subway nie, almal sit en staar in die niet in, vermy mekaar se oe, begrawe hulle uitdrukkings in boeke of koerante. Soms kry dit my onder. Asof ek ingesluk is, deel geword het van die bland, dodelike roetine, asof my gesig maar net nog 'n suur, toe boek is, sonder 'n storie of verlede. Anderdae is ek glad nie bewus van die mense rondom my nie, asof hulle winkelpoppe is, dan is dit net ek en die trein wat my iewers heen neem. Op daardie bright oranje-leer seat, met my refleksie in die groot donker vensters,bestaan die wereld, my werk, bills, rent, al die saai dinge nie. Dis ek in die maag van die aarde, miskien oppad iewers heen, miskien oppad nerens heen nie. Een dag was daar 'n meisie skuins agter my wat opgespring het en kliphard begin praat het. "Are there any Christians here?" het sy gese. Dit was asof niemand haar gehoor het nie, asof sy net sowel in my kop gepraat het. Die koppe en strak gesigte het nie eers in haar rigting gedraai nie. Soms as ek by Friendship Heights afklim, sit daar 'n verdwaalde kitaarspeler en sing melankoliese Christmas liedjies. Daardie koue rillings gevoel, jy leeeef, en dit so, so onwerklik. As ek besef dat die ordinary nie so ordinary is nie, dan begin ek sommer vinniger teen die steil stel roltrappe uitstap. Soms tel ek hulle selfs, daar is iets soos 90 van die goed. Eendag wil ek heeldag op die metros deurbring, en van rooi lyn na groen lyn na oranje na blou verander sonder ophou, heeldag. In sirkels ry, en nerens heen gaan nie, net bewus wees van 'n wereld bokant my waarvan ek ontsnap het. Miskien wil ek eendag dag 'n narpak aantrek, en my besigheids-suitcase in my hand hou en met 'n strak gesig werk toe stap, en op die trein gaan sit asof daar niks met my verkeerd is nie. As ek geen reaksie uitlok nie, kan ek dalk wawiele of iets doen. Dalk is dit daardie movie-gevoel,dit wat my so aantrek na die metro. Asof jy wag op iets om te gebeur, as jy op die metro is. Jy wag om in 'n groot stad soos DC in iemand bekend vas te loop, dit gebeur omtrent nooit. Asof jy wag om iewers op te daag, iewers onbekend, en iets interesants sal gebeur. Dit gebeur ook omtrent nooit. Ek is nou oppad om naweek te hou. Dit is ‘n reenerig Vrydag-aand, en ek weet daardie metro wag onder die aarde op my, soos ‘n warm tonnel gaan dit my iewers neem vir die aand. Ek sal wag, en die bekende gedreun hoor. ‘n Vreemde stem sal vanuit iewers praat: This is Bethesda. Red line to Glenmont. Miskien sal ek vanaand net aanhou ry, tot aan die einde van die lyn. Tot aan die einde van ‘n wereld buite die wereld, onder die wereld. Onder die mees magtigste stad in die wereld, binne-in sy maag. In sy binnegoeters. En ‘n movie sal in my kop gebeur. Kytie K. Kytie Koekblik would like you to respond to her tongue-in-cheek running commentary on suburban life in America in this editorial. Fresh off the boat, she is ready to explore and experiment with American bath plugs and to drive on the other side of the road. You can contact her here. © RSA-Overseas & Matheson Communications [ Top ] Deadly bus crash near Sun City Seven people were killed and over 40 injured in a bus accident near Sun City early on Monday morning, North West police said. Inspector Erica Roos said the bus, from Thlabane Bus Service, was travelling on the Matooster-Ledi road to Rustenburg when the driver allegedly lost control of the vehicle. The bus overturned, killing seven people instantly. Roos said four people were in a critical condition, 18 were seriously injured and 26 sustained slight injuries. The bus driver was among the seriously injured. The injured were taken to two hospitals in Rustenburg. The bus was carrying 56 passengers Thanks to IOL on-line [ Top ] 3 teens among 8 raped over weekend Eight women, including three teenagers and a 71-year-old, were raped in the eastern Free State at the weekend, police reported on Sunday. Inspector Veronica Ntepe said four men took turns raping a 15-year-old girl at Dithataneg village outside Qwa Qwa after abducting her from a shop. The victim apparently knew her attackers but no arrests have been made. At Phuthaditshaba an intruder raped a 71-year-old woman after gaining entry through an open window around midnight Friday. The six other victims were also raped on Friday, Ntepe added Thanks to IOL.co.za [ Top ] Cape Town gets R6bn development boost Projects costing more than R6-billion are set to transform the face of central Cape Town and the V&A Waterfront - boosting investment and providing thousands of new jobs. And that is only taking into account developments either in the pipeline, OK'd to go ahead or already under construction. Another R3-billion of big projects could be approved in the medium- to long-term. Large projects under construction include the Waterfront's Clocktower Precinct, with 5 000sq m of retail space, at R850-million; the Waterfront's residential marina at R1,3-billion; Mediterranean Shipping's new regional headquarters at R70-million; and and the Roggebaai Canal Tourism Precinct (R35-million). Already up is Investec's new R100-million regional headquarters. The Cape Town international convention centre at a cost of R320-million is expected to pump more than R11-billion into the province's gross domestic product (GDP) over 10 years and create an estimated 15 000 jobs, according to an economic impact study. And the big plans include the Cape Town harbour syncro-lift redevelopment at a whopping R2-billion, the West Quay offices in the Waterfront (R50-million), the Cape Town station redevelopment (R1-billion) and an office developmentt costing R200-million and funded by direct foreign investment. According to Wesgro, the province's trade and investment promotion organisation, projects valued at R2,4-billion are under construction, with approved projects costing R320-million starting this year. A further R3,2-billion of projects are planned for the central city and harbour area in the short- to medium-term. Wesgro head Peter Pullen said information garnered from an eight-month-old database on large projects had enabled the compilation of the latest detailed picture. Michael Farr, head of the Cape Town Partnership, said wide-scale new development was the "broad-brush macro-plan" which would allow them to pursue the objective of a successful and competitive global city. "This level of planning by all players involved seeks to achieve three things: the retention of existing business in the CBD, the creation of new business and investment in the CBD, and an increase in job opportunities through the CBD, given that 28 percent of all jobs in the metropole are created in the area," he said. Spearhead Property Holdings managing director Mike Flax said these costly and extensive developments - and the proposed infrastructure to go with them - should encourage private development. "A number of other projects may need their buttons pushed. It could mean a huge amount of future development," he said. Flax said his company was already looking at adding a floor to an existing building and the construction of a couple of parking garages. The big developments under way would help construction companies stay busy and keep employment at its present level. There were a number of skilled professionals, who had just finished with the Canal Walk and GrandWest developments, who could be used in the new projects. The success of some of the planned development would depend on the interest shown by tenants. Farr agreed that there was serious potential investment in the medium- to long-term and said unicity plans had already been drawn up for funds for many proposed projects. He said these included the refurbishment of the Civic Centre at a cost of R70-million, transport infrastructure improvements at R56-million, development of an area on the northern Foreshore at R5,5-million, development of the power station and the area around it and a wharf development on the foreshore. Other planned projects included an inner-city light-rail transport system which will cost about R200-million, the general improvement of public spaces at R400 000 and pedestrian facilities and other areas at R500 000. "The construction of a light-rail system is an integral part of linking the city with the Waterfront, as plans include a stop at the new Clocktower Precinct from the city," said Farr. Mike Thompson, president of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and managing director of the Cape of Good Hope Bank, said the development was "terribly exciting" and would increase interest in tourism, but warned that planners should take into account issues such as increased traffic flows when putting together proposals. Farr admitted the traffic flow situation was a "challenge", but said local government, business and others involved were using an integrated approach to overcome any difficulties. Thanks to IOL.co.za [ Top ] NRA rewards Buthelezi for apartheid struggle A western musket was awarded to Chief Mangosuthu Buthelezi by the National Rifle Association (NRA)’s President and Academy Award winning actor Charlton Heston last night at the Conference of Conservative Political Action (CPAC)in Washington. The South African Minister of Home Affairs was selected from many courageous freedom fighters across the world, to be the first recipient of the American Conservative Union’s “Charlton Heston Courage Under Fire” award. “Chief Buthelezi has been the target of the armed struggle. He faced fire from those that destroyed the schools and caused lawless mayhem in the name of freedom,” Heston told the gathering of conservatives from all across the United States. The award was given to Buthelezi at the CPAC Presidential Banquet where U.S. Vice-president Dick Cheney was the keynote speaker. Buthelezi described the evening as a milestone in his life, despite the many awards and honorary doctorates which he has received as recognition of his contribution to the South African struggle. “I have never spoken about this courage before” Buthelezi told the conservatives during his acceptance speech. “The most difficult of all my decisions was that of rejecting the call of the African National Congress for a military insurrection and the campaign of rebellion known as the “armed struggle.” Buthelezi and the Zulus, traditionally known as the “warrior people” became the targets in the struggle that claimed the lives of over 20, 000 black people, killed by other black people in the “quest for political hegemony after liberation,” Buthelezi said. Buthelezi said he had participated in coalition governments since 1994 in order to bring “stable peace in our black-on-black low intensity civil war.” He also told the conservatives that he has been under fire from radicals of all types for his decisions to counter the enormous influence which the trade unions and the South African Communist Party exercise over the government. Buthelezi anted federalism in South Africa in order to defuse the combined effects of the legacy of apartheid and the “Marxist roots and roots and influences of our liberation movement.” He reinforced his support for the current government’s macro-economic strategies, and said he believed long term solutions for South Africa could be provided through liberal economic policies, maximum privatisation and the limited role of government. “I continue to stand by these convictions, which are now becoming conventional wisdom in many circles, even in my own country,” Buthelezi concluded. The award was named after Charlton Heston for his outspoken position against gun control. Heston, who was elected for his third term as the president of the conservative NRA last year, has become a self-declared moving media target due to his controversial public statements to further conservative causes. The NRA is the biggest pro-gun lobbyist in the US with currently 4,2 million members. Buthelezi declined to comment on his own views on gun control. He acknowledged that the Inkatha Freedom Party has fought for their rights to carry traditional cultural weapons such as spears. He also admitted that the IFP has expressed reservations in parliament about proposed firearm legislation in South Africa, but refused to elaborate. The only countries represented at the CPAC Presidential Banquet, were Taiwan, Israel, Ireland and South Africa. Former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who also attended last night’s event, was scheduled to address the conference on Friday night at the Ronald Reagan Banquet. During Buthelezi’s brief visit to Washington, he also met with the Immigration and Naturalization Services and the US State Department to discuss issues of migration and refugees. |
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