I’m not sure how much media attention it’s receiving overseas, but here in South Africa there are almost daily news updates about renewed conflict in the DRC.  A few weeks ago Laurent Nkunda, a Tutsi rebel leader in eastern Congo, appeared to be crying wolf and promoting unrest in the region.   Although Nkunda claims to be fighting for the people, his clashes with the army have internally displaced tens of thousands of Congolese.  His cry: Rwanda’s government, he says, is sending fighters across the border to destabilize the DRC.  No doubt Nkunda is contributing to the destabilization, but perhaps Paul Kagame is as well.  Check out this NYTimes article.

“A dinner with friends.”  This was my last-minute attempt at a Thanksgiving dinner.  The menu: two chickens (turkeys are hard to find), stuffing, sweet potatoes in orange cups, green beans, cranberry sauce, and of course, pumpkin pie.  Above (L to R): Bronwyn & Jan, Jules, and Elmien.  Man it was hot.

Over 30,000 cyclists competed in this year’s Pick ‘n Pay and Highveld Radio 94.7 km race in Jo’burg.  All proceeds go to a homeless shelter for children.  A few cyclists came in costume.

Here’s to the organic movement in Europe:

The EU’s proposed restrictions on insecticides (Oct. 2008) could have serious consequences for the developing world, particularly areas which struggle with malaria.  A move from “risk based assessments” to “hazard based assessments” could effectively eliminate up to 85% of insecticides manufactured in Europe.  The consequences for farmers in Europe and around the world would be significant (especially with the existing food inflation), but millions in developing countries would also suffer as they depend on the agricultural insecticides to fight malaria-transmitting mosquitoes.  160 scientists have signed a petition explaining the health hazards for the developing world.

According to WHO, malaria is the fourth leading cause of death among children under the age of five years old.  Over a million people die of malaria each year.  80% of deaths are in sub-Saharan Africa.

Here’s a description of the house that I’m moving into.

Price: R2,700/mo. = $270.  This huge house is close to Norwood, Killarney, and Rosebank in the gorgeous area of Houghton.  The room is available from the 1st of December.  An incredibly well-run commune, the house is home to 9 young, friendly professionals.  We know that it sounds a little squished, but the house is large and spread out.

A private room

A garden, braai area, and swimming pool

Food: There is cooked dinner from Monday to Thursday (just help yourself when you come home).  There is also breakfast.

Staff: There is a maid 5 days a week for cleaning and cooking.  There is another maid 3 days a week for washing and ironing.  A gardener once a week.

Water, electricity, and phone line included.

Security.

A competition-sized pool table.

I got into the commune.  I’m going to be neighbors with Nelson Mandela!

I apologize if my postings, emails, or other communications are overwhelmingly negative in tone.  I can’t help it!  The radio on my drive to work, lunch conversations, women gossiping at the gym- it’s all bad news.  There’s one that really hit me today: a story that Karol Boudreaux has written, in part, out of grief for a friend that was murdered over the weekend, Michael Jwambi.  The current political upheaval, Boudreaux explains, is tied to the frustration with crime and violence.  How do politicians effectively fight crime and violence?  How do millions of people make an honest commitment to change?

For the record, according to nationmaster.com, South Africa has the second highest murder rate in the world.  The top five are Colombia, South Africa, Jamaica, Venezuela, and Russia.