The Great World Depression in Pictures

By Dean McCleland in Historical 1 Comment

This series of pictures highlight what it was like living through the Great Depression during the 1930s

WE THINK WE HAVE GOT IT BAD! This was a mere 80 years ago. It makes complaining about no cell service, high petrol prices, not enough DSTV channels, seem a bit ludicrous. No credit cards to buy what you want, but don’t need! Forward this to remind our kids and others of what really tough times are like.

They don’t have a clue. If you don’t know what the Great Depression was, here’s the motto: “Use it up — wear it out”, make it do or do without! This reminds me to be grateful for what I do have. Start each day with a smile and gratitude. Then pass it on “Yesterday is history, Tomorrow is a mystery.   And Today?

Today is a gift. That’s why we call it the present.”

Continue reading

Classic Adages enacted by Animals

By Dean McCleland in Animals 0 Comment

Old adages have been enacted in a memorable way using a cast of cute animals to reinforce the intent of these classic adages

The first adage based upon the photo of the kitten and a dog is implicit trust.

 

 

An Icy Race: The Sterkfontein Dam 25km Run

By Dean McCleland in Personal, Running 0 Comment

This would be the coldest race that I have ever run in my life. With snow on the Berg and a wind off the mountain, there would be both a gusting wind and sub-zero temperatures to contend with

At five thirty on a wintry May morning in Warden it is usually cold. The tentacles of frost cover the fields as the subdued cattle in the stubble fields patiently await the first yellow brightness in the eastern sky.The desiccated mielies whisper in the breeze, shrugging off their frosty appendages. The pre-dawn mist hangs in the dips and valleys mapping out the twists and turns of the water course.

But this day was different. Extremely different. The temperature gauge in my BMW reads minus 5 degrees but with the wind chill factor from a snow covered Drakensberg, the actual temperature must have been below minus 10 degrees.

Continue reading

Violence during Strikes: What are the Underlying Causes and Solution?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

The sudden upsurge in strike violence and intimidation is indicative of a changed dynamic. The relative industrial peace post 1994 has proved to be a chimera.

The latest casualty in the strike related violence is a dog which striking workers torched. Fortunately no humans were killed when the workers attempted to set the building alight.

In a disingenuous comment, Castro Ngobese, spokesman for NUMSA, has flatly denied that any of their members were involved in these actions. Rather he accused thugs and agent provocateurs for these actions.

Does he take South Africans for fools?

Continue reading

Retirement Investments: High Costs Structures create Low Returns

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Financial Matters 0 Comment

Retirees find that “nest eggs” in the form of Retirement Annuities were a worthless investment.

Those Retirement Annuities that I subscribed to 40 years ago as an Articled Clerk were supposed to be the “nest egg” that would supplement my work pension. I was gaily promised huge returns. These policies would make the difference between a comfortable and totally carefree retirement.

After 20 years of Debit Orders being processed, I fully expected a sizable investment to have built up. Instead what I found was abysmal returns & an inadequate capital sum. The one policy was growing at 5% at the time in an era where interest rates & inflation were three times that figures.

Continue reading

Mampara for July 2014: Minister of Agriculture Senzeni Zokwana

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, SA Heroes and Mamparas 0 Comment

Despite heading up NUM and the SACP, this Mampara only paid his own workers one third of the minimum rate for working seven days a week

In case I am castigated for misstating the formal job title of this Month’s Mampara, Senzeni Zokwana is the recently appointed Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries. This Mampara is currently the National Chairperson of the South African Communist Party and was formerly the President of NUM – The National Union of Mineworkers.

Continue reading

Should there be a Mandatory Retirement Age?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs, Opinion Pieces 0 Comment

With lifespans increasing, why are productive experienced employees forced to retire at a particular age?

This question has always puzzled me. The closer that I get to retirement myself, the more absurd that a fixed retirement age becomes.

From an Employers point of view, there are possibly two reasons why this is great practice. The first relates to the fact that certain employees are “on autopilot” awaiting their retirement. This is especially prevalent in the public sector where most civil servants are already computing the number of years to retirement whilst still in their forties. Clearly this is indicative of a soul destroying working environment where lack of initiative counts for more than excellent work performance.

Continue reading