Health and safety

Engene health and safety

Some cartoons for a health and safety brochure.

Paddling at Fish Hoek

Editorial cartoon for the People's Post 13th May 2008

Grand Theft Auto

Editorial cartoon for the People's Post 6th May 2008

GRAND THEFT AUTO IV, the newest version of the notoriously violence-soaked gaming series, arrived on the shelves of local gaming outlets on Tuesday. In the game, players are able to, among others, pick up prostitutes, beat them to death with a baseball bat, kill people in a variety of ways, steal cars and build their own drug empire. One of the game's writers told United States media that parents should not allow their children to play the game. If they do, he said, they are bad parents. The fact that South Africa is a violent society needs no debating. The possibility that pirate copies of the game will find their way into teenagers' hands is also a near-certain one. To what extent do such games merely imitate (hopefully minority) behaviours in society, and to what extent do they actually contribute to such behaviours? The question is as old as the TV screen itself ...

Workers' Day

Earth Day

TUESDAY, 22 April, marks Earth Day ? an annual event for people around the world to celebrate the earth and renew their commitment to building a safer, healthier and cleaner world. Earth Day was first commemorated on 22 April 1970. It is the only event celebrated simultaneously around the globe by people of all backgrounds, faiths and nationalities. More than half a billion people participate every year in campaigns by Earth Day Network, founded by the organisers of the first Earth Day to promote environmental citizenship and year-round progressive action worldwide.

liquor bills

THE CLOSING date for comment on the revised Western Cape Liquor Bill is set for tomorrow (Wednesday, 16 April), after it was published for public comment in the Government Gazette on 14 March. The Liquor Bill will allow shebeens to apply for licences to trade legally, thus ending raids by the police, and has been vehemently opposed by groups in the Western Cape, which has the highest incidence of Foetal Alcohol Syndrome in the country.

back to school

public poop

A SEA POINT woman was allegedly assaulted by a Metro Police officer on Tuesday last week after she requested to see his identification when he ordered her to pick up her dog's faeces. The Metro Police have been in an identity crisis for some time, having to fulfil duties across law enforcement and traffic regulation categories, while also providing back-up support to the SA Police Service when required. Playing second fiddle to the bona fide SA Police Service may have sat uncomfortably with some in the Metro Police force, and it could be that the officer who allegedly assaulted the Sea Point resident was making the first move in the formation of a new "Dog Unit" for the Metro Police. After all, if SAPS can have a Dog Unit, why not the Metro Police? The unfortunate thing, though, is that the Metro Police may have the definition of Dog Unit wrong... (Peoples Post 1st April 2008)

power drain

ESKOM reportedly not only wants the country to pay two-thirds more for its electricity from 1 April, but is demanding that consumers be forced to make back-payments if it does not get permission for the tariff increase immediately, SAPA reports. The news agency says that Eskom has argued in a confidential submission to the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) that tariffs will have to soar to cover the rising costs of coal and of additional fuel. It is also hoped that the raised tariffs will encourage consumers to curtail their electricity use. (Peoples Post 25/3/08)

safe easter

2010 retirement

National Missing Children's Day

dangerous weapons act

loyalty pledge

The new school oath, to be recited by every learner at school by order of Naledi Pandor, Minister of Education, seems to be a hot topic and is being met with differing views from principals across the city.

the new menace

CHILDREN armed with knives and pangas are stepping into the space left empty by a peace settlement between Hanover Park gangs last year. School gangs have been involved in serious fights every day for the past three weeks, say Philippi police officers. "These children are running around armed with knives and pangas," says Captain Walter Prins. One group apparently calls itself the "Wet Cats", while its rivals are called the "Spoilt Brats". Another group refers to itself as the "Flop Boys". Police have not yet determined how the affiliation system works. Unlike the older gangsters, the boundaries of the children's gangs are not residentially determined. The ages of the children vary. Some are in primary school and others are in high school. "Most of these children come from homes where the parents are drug dealers," says Prins.
Peoples Post 12/2/8

2010 men !!!

A PROPOSAL that prostitution be legalised for the Soccer World Cup in 2010 was again made last week after an initial airing by National Police Commissioner Jackie Selebi last year. Last week it was the turn of ANC MP George Lekgetho to propose the legalisation of this oldest of professions. He apologised on Friday, however, for stating in Parliament on Tuesday that legalising prostitution could spare women from being raped during the Soccer World Cup season.
Peoples Post 5/2/8

show stopper J&B Met

plane trading

INFORMAL traders may find themselves sidelined during the
2010 Soccer World Cup as the Local Organising Committee of
the tournament is drafting a bylaw that could see traders
shunted away from the centre of action and onto the
peri­phery of the city. Fifa wants to reserve prime positions
for the tournament’s sponsors and partners and even the
City of Cape Town cannot say at this stage where local
tra­ders will be accommodated. The LOC’s draft bylaw
needs to be accepted by municipalities before it moves
on to provincial legislatures and parliament for promulgation.
(Peoples Post 22.01.08)

happy new year from eskom