Luke Waltham

The National Debate should not be Gupta State Capture vs White Monopoly Capital by Luke Waltham Over the last few months, a growing divide has occurred between those who solely focus on Gupta State Capture and those who solely focus on White Monopoly Capital. This "binary" debate that has been created in South Africa has not only been divisive but it has been completely sensationalized by both sides. In fact, both sides are right and wrong, to an extent because both Gupta State Capture and White Monopoly Capital are issues that need to be taken seriously in this country because they both hamper and prohibit South Africa from transforming and developing a better economic, social and political South Africa. When it comes to the Gupta State Capture saga, there is no doubt that our state is being heavily influenced by Gupta decisions. After reading the Public Protector's report "State Capture" and reading, hearing and seeing the various scenarios that have ta...

This opinion piece is taken from the The Daily Vox's website. It is written by Luke Waltham. The link the original piece is here Those who are against decolonisation are white supremacists  We are living in a society that is deeply divided on racial issues, decolonisation being one of them. The reality of the decolonisation debate, and the views argued, is that there is an exceptional amount of ignorance and lack of understanding from the majority of those who argue against it. Luke Waltham says their remarks, comments and statements are extremely problematic and often express blatant or subliminal white supremacy. by Luke Waltham If someone were to ask you for the name of a well-known black scientist, professor or academic, you would most probably find yourself stuck, unable to answer. It is rare for any person to be able to list well known black inventors and academics, yet it is extremely easy for someone to list well known white inventors and academics. The fir...

This opinion piece is taken from the Huffington Post South Africa's website. It is written by Luke Waltham. The link the original piece is here It's Pride Month But There Is Still So Much Prejudice There is still overt homophobia, queerphobia and transphobia taking place in Western countries. By Luke Waltham une is known internationally as Pride Month, a month where members of the LGBTQ+ community and allies can celebrate the diversity of sexual orientations and gender identities in our society. It is an important time for queer individuals to be empowered and unified in a society that often excludes and discriminates them on the basis of sexual orientation or discrimination. Despite this being a positive, uplifting time for the LGBTQ+ community, there have been a number of issues facing queer (homosexual, bisexual, transgender, pansexual etc.) individuals around the world and in our country even during this period of pride. In the West, the so-called "Fr...

This opinion piece is taken from the Huffington Post South Africa's website. It is written by Luke Waltham. The link the original piece is here We Should Pay Tribute To Our Student Leaders On This Youth Day It is extremely important that we pay tribute to young leaders in South Africa who have played imperative roles in changing our country's future. By Luke Waltham If there is something that the Soweto Uprising should teach each and every one of us, is that the most exceptional, passionate and determined leaders come from our youth. On the 16th of June, we will celebrate Youth Day, and I think it is extremely important that we pay tribute to young leaders in South Africa who have played imperative roles in changing our country's future. Whether one agrees or disagrees with movements such as Rhodes Must Fall, End Rape Culture, and Fees Must Fall, one cannot deny the momentum each movement has gained and the effects they have had in South Africa. All of these...

This opinion piece is taken from the Huffington Post South Africa's website. It is written by Luke Waltham. The link the original piece is  here Zuma's Days In Power Seem To Be Numbered The ANC needs to make necessary adjustments to its leadership and its policies in order to regain the support and loyalty of the South African people. by Luke Waltham Workers' Day this year (1st May 2017) became interesting from a political perspective after Cosatu's event was cancelled due to attendees booing and disrupting proceedings to stop President Jacob Zuma and other ANC leaders from speaking and delivering their speeches. What is more intriguing is that Cosatu's size makes it massively influential in the tripartite alliance, that is the ANC, Cosatu and SACP. Which brings political analysts, journalists, critics and the everyday South African to this question: Will Zuma continue to be President of the ANC and of South Africa despite the growing opposition ag...

This opinion piece is taken from the Huffington Post South Africa's website. It is written by Luke Waltham. The link the original piece is  here Angus Buchan Should Not Be Praised And Admired Is it right for a man, who has been openly homophobic and sexist in statements, to be given such a large platform to continue preaching his views to people? by Luke Waltham On the 22nd of April 2017, thousands of Christians gathered in Bloemfontein to worship and pray over South Africa and the current political, economic crisis that it is going through. Many were waiting in earnest for the Christian leader and evangelist, Angus Buchan, who was to preach to the masses about the horrific and concerning events that are occurring in South Africa and in society today. Although the event was supposed to be a spiritually uplifting one that would create a more positive, soulful atmosphere for South Africans, Angus Buchan's presence at the event and the statements he has made are ...

This opinion piece is taken from the Huffington Post South Africa's website. It is written by Luke Waltham. The link the original piece is  here The Issue People Had Behind The Anti-Zuma Marches When other social injustices occurred in the country, the majority of the people who marched today were against those movements or refused to show support by Luke Waltham On Friday the 7th April, various #AntiZumaMarches took place around the country and they were well attended by white people primarily. The movement, organised mainly by SaveSA, the DA and other civil society organisations, aimed to unite South Africans of all races in convincing President Jacob Zuma to step down and end the ongoing corruption and lack of accountability in the executive. Despite the large turn outs and massive marches and gatherings around the country in hopes of uniting South Africans, the #AntiZumaMarches faced serious backlash and criticism from many black South Africans. The reason w...

This opinion piece is taken from the Huffington Post South Africa's website. It is written by Luke Waltham. The link the original piece is here Active citizenship is needed more than ever before We, as South African citizens who live in a constitutional, democratic state, need to become more active in order to achieve a better tomorrow for all. by Luke Waltham On Thursday 30th March, many political analysts' predictions came true when President Jacob Zuma announced which Ministers and Deputy Ministers were to be axed, who would be replacing them and who would be moving to new departments. Of course, the most concerning and media-attracting announcement was the axing of Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan and his Deputy Minister, Mcebisi Jonas. Although this decision was to be expected and was predicted by many, South Africans still took to social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook, denouncing the President's decision and reaffirming the belief that t...

This opinion piece is taken from the Huffington Post South Africa's website. It is written by Luke Waltham. The link the original piece is here Youtube's New Move Is Queerphobic Youtube is essentially creating online segregation between conservative right winged individuals who are queerphobic and those part of the LGBTQ+ community. by Luke Waltham The video streaming service has introduced an extremely problematic option. In a recent, ongoing change, Youtube has succumbed to the pressures of capitalism and consumerism to try to expand their target market by making the Youtube a "conservative friendly place" too. As a result, Youtube has been introducing a new "restriction option" that allows users to restrict or disallow content involving LGBTQ+ (Queer) themes and youtubers. This decision by Youtube is obviously a massive problem and is discrimination against people who identify as being a part of the LGBTQ+ community and is thus prejudicial ...