Media exposes South Africa's false image.

south africa image(www.google.com)

"South Africa's coat of arms, or state emblem, South African flower, representing harmony of the country


My attention was drawn by the Public relations practitioner in the Mail and guardian who sais  in South Africa"you can  never over-communicate in a crisis", but,

as a country that is  democratic  and creates an image of poor service delivery what South Africa stands for as a "harmony country" is false.

 South Africans seem to be  constantly rising to the streets  and  the Marikanna strike is just an example of how the government  fails to meet public demands.

As a Public relations practitioner who strives to maintain a favourable image for the country of South Africa, I still believe that the media constantly communicates about the negative image of South Africa.

 

unhappy strikers(www.google.com)

Lets look at service delivery in our country:since 2004  media reports express how South Africa has experienced poor  service delivery issues. South Africans are forever on strike, promises by the government such as that of
 Article 6  of workers rightsexpresses that

11) There shall be equal pay for work of equal value, and equal access to employment, training and advancement is mere talk
 issues such as poverty, unemployment and equality seem to be unchanging.

Democracy in our country as according to the media  means no exclusion,  no segregation and no  oppression of the majority. So why is it that  South Africans are oppressed and killed when they communicate about issues? 

The questions South Africans should answer  are:

1.  Is the media working for or against the image of South Africa?
2. is the  R12 500 that mine workers are requesting realistic?. 

The public image created by Julius malama

Julius Malema ANCYL president

If one has a look at this site http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Sspc5Y0bz6Q

one would agree that Julius Malema definetly needs a Public Relations Manager.



So, as a future public relations manager for Julius malema,  I believe  that knowing what  kind of stories to cover,  what kind of  news interests the public and which approach to use with regards to managing the reputation of this man trully is going to be a mission considering how provocative Julius Malma is when he communicates to the public.

 I believe that the first approach to managing Julius Malmea reputation is to

1. " Find a communiaction strategy"
2. Ensure that  the way that Julius malema "motivates good behaviour" towards South African citizens
3. To ensure that in television, print and Radio Julis malema maintains a favourable image with his audiences.



The reason why Julius malama has such a huge fan base is because he comunicates and involves members of society to take action however I feel that the way in which Julius Malema communicates  incites hatred and creates disputes amongst races in South Africa which does not create a favourable about him.

reputation  management for Julius Malema can becreated through: 

• Building – Julius Malema reputation by advising him to communicate positively and with caution to what words he communicates.
• Maintenance – managing Julius Malemas reputation by keeping him superior in the public eye through being involved in issues of the public.
• Recovery – Reestablishing a posititive image for Julius Malema through promoting Julius malema and the deeds he has done for the public.

 The question is can  Julis Malema  who communicates without limits become our next president?.

Our Presidents reputation Mocked

"Public relations activities as according to the online intergrated library is  aimed at  cultivating a strong, positive image of the organization among its stakeholders" As a public relations practitioner I question why paintings such as these are even allowed to be spoken about in the media and what image they potray to young citizens.


It was First Brett Murray painting spoken about in the Mail and Guardian, The Citizen, and even in the New York Times and now Ayanda Mbalulas new Umshini Wam Painting, is also creating headlines in newspapers such as the Citizen. I believe that the painting should not even have been allowed to be placed in the Ava gallery in Cape town as it degrades the worthy of praise image of Jacob Zuma as a positive public figure but as according to Eubes Mckaiser nudity by artists  to obtain publicity is nothing new.

 Ayanda Mbalulas painting has  not got as much publicity as the Spear  painting  because citizens are used to nudity.

Freedom of speech as according to dictionary.comis "the right of people to express their opinions publicly without governmental interference, subject to the laws against libel, incitement to violence or rebellion.

"This right has been given  to us by Jacob Zuma, so why is it that Anc spokespersons are trying to take this right away? 

As a Public relations practitioner it is my right to communicate well and to oestablish mutual understanding between an orgainisation and its stakeholders and as a citizen I have the right to speak and express how I feel through  a painting.

 Nudity to gain publicity  is nothing new, but should we give prefferential treatment to government on the basis of giving respect to our government?.

Could it be that Ayanda Mbalula is just an artist that wants to express his freedom of expression or is he just

 taking advantage of this right to create attention to himself as a talented artist?

 I feel that although  the freedom of expression  right  is a right to express ones opinion it is not a right to  abuse our presidents image. Image is everything in todays South Africa, as citizens are we painting the correct image of our South Africa by allowing such artistic freedom ?

Media coverage for Julius Malema



Julius Malema Source:( www.google.com)



Your personal image, affects your success in every aspect of life - your life on the job and  your social life . But you are not the only one creating your personal image those who see you and listen to you create your image. 
The reality is that Julius Malema and the media are both  popular topics in South Africa.

When we look at the exposure Media gives Julius we fid that he  has been on BBC world and Sky news,Mail and Guardian,Sunday world,twitter,Etv,The Sunday Independent,Metro FM,Talk show radio 702, and makes 183 headlines on iol news. which makes me question whether Julius Malema makes the media what it is today by giving the media newsworthy information or whether the media makes Julius Malema popular by giving him publicity.



President Jacob Zuma SourceSource: www.google.com

Today Julius Malema  Says that South Africa is a "banana republic that does not follow the rule of law because he feels that 

President Jacob Zuma is "engaged in other things". You are a lesser priority. All of us are a lesser priority," Malema said, I don't know what is a priority to him, maybe getting married every year. He specialises on that one. Maybe that is what is going right for him".

I feel that  Julius Malema is an outspoken politician  and that the media makes him what he is today but without Julius Malema  South African media would not be as entertaining as it is today.. .What do you think?

Zuma exposed

First Brett Murray painting and now Ayanda Mbalulas new Umshini Wam Painting. This new painting has has not got as much publicity as the Spear  painting  because like Eusbes Mckaiser feels that although citizens were shocked at first, nudity by artists  to obtain publicity is nothing new.

Freedom of speech is the right to freely say what one pleases, as well as the related right to hear what others have stated ."This right has been given  to us by our very own president, so why is he trying to take it away?.As a citizen it is my right to communicate as I wish even  if it is through a painting. Nudity is nothing new, but should we give prefferential treatment to government on the basis of giving respect to our government?.

Could it be that Ayanda Mbalula is just an artist that wants to express his freedom of expression or is he just

 taking advantage of the fact that our president is  focusing on the Lonhimm marikanna strike and wants to use this painting as a publicity stunt to create attention to himself as a talented artist?

 I feel that although  the freedom of expression  right  is a right to express ones opinion it is not a right to  abuse our presidents image. Image is everything in todays South Africa, as citizens are we painting the correct image of our South Africa by allowing such artistic freedom ?

Media versus South Africa

Billing crisis view:(www.google.com)



If there was a crisis, we would admit it.” words spoken byGauteng ANC secretary David Makhura.   It's not fair for the City of Johannesburg(COJ)  to ignore citizens complaints or to create a false image  of reality to citizens. But then again citizens depend on  the media who are the "watchdog of society"  to create an image for them and to  expose corruption practices.



Today, the media has exposed  5000 complaints with regards to the billing crisis  that have not yet  been resolved despite the fact that  1200 of the complaints were lodged before the 1st of November 2011.The city of Johannesburg has claimed that it has been "successfully resolving disputes" but this has been nothing but lies.

But Perhaps the exposure of corrupt COJ  is an attempt by the media to look for problems that can be reported instead of effectively using  the freedom of speech  right, this could negatively affect our citizens ideology of South Africa.



Worried Johannesburg residents(Source (www.google.com)



After hearing about the 5000 unresolved complaints the ANC has implemented a Revenue Step Change Programme to deal with the billing crisis. This is all well and good that government is responding to this billing problem  but why is it that the  government only responds after the  media exposes how the government is not doing its job or poor handling of a problem?

I was caught by the views of citizens about South Africa. as a country. Out of these views I was caught by  an anonymous writer who  said:

"I love South Africa I live in Johannesburg but I am afraid that Crime, Politics, Work and Racism is forcing me to think alternatively and move to a place over seas where I can and will be much happier".

• What is your view of South Africas image, the media and government ?
• Should media continue to expose corruption in South Africa even at the cost of creating a negative image of South Africa? 

 

  



Strike like a hammer



Police at Markanna mine(www.google.com)

Why is it that the South African Government is unable to effectively put a stop to strikes and consistent uncivilized behaviour of citizens during strikes?. But perhaps the South African Government can not do anything but resort to violence to stop the unruly masses of citizens who continue to strike.


 Correct communication channels should  be adhered to but maybe just maybe strikes are just a greed mechanism that citizens use to create chaos and demand raises for the sake of  pleasing their own pockets.





This afternoon I read about the striking miners who gathered near Markanna mine at Lonmins hill,

• 10 of them have been killed after waving traditional weapons( iron rods, pangas and knobkerries, pistols) to police.
•  The men on strike demanded higher salaries.
• The protesters are linked to the rivalry between Num and association of mineworkers and Construction Union
• The workers striking earn R4000 a month and those living outside the hostel R5000.
• The strikers are demanding R12 500 a month.

I strongly believe communication and patience is the key to a peace society:citizens should by right communicate issues and problems but give the government opportunity and time to best  solve a problem at a time. .



Public sector strike(www.google.com)

 Suggestions

 
1. Communication channels must always be open. Citizens should know that the people managing situation in our county are not as fast as Usain Bolts,with the speed of lightning.

1. No illegal strikes should take place. however persons in charge must communicate the steps which they are taking to resolve a problematic issue.

2. Accountability- the persons responsible for solving situations in our country should communicate and take into consideration the sufficient notice that citizens of our country give.

3.  There should be communication measures to ensure that they  become immediately aware of  situations affecting society should be implemented and consistently adhered to.

4. Stop procrastinating- before the thought of striking becomes an action persons in charge must communicate with trade unions and reach a compromise so as to not become reactive in strikes.

5.  There should be raises in salaries every year to try and alleviate strikes: otherwise inflation must  decrease.

how do you feel about these suggestions and government actions?