Learning & Social Capital in South Africa

Hi Mark, A friend in NYC introduced me to your si...

2009-06-11T15:36:21.893+02:00

Hi Mark,

A friend in NYC introduced me to your site.

I hope that you will drop by www.socialcapitalvalueadd.com and perhaps give me feedback on my ebook.

I have concluded that corporations should consider social capital an asset that can be measured and linked to corporate value. Corps are a form of individual, but unlike you & me, they have comparable motives so meaningful benchmarks can be established.

I think there are major implications of individuals becoming globally empowered through the use of broadband media that are leading to the reformation of all of our institutions that have previously been architected around a different scale.

Check out my post entitled "Individual as Medium" or "Social Media Man" http://bit.ly/P0Za1 or another called The New Economic Model http://bit.ly/2IVbeQ

Mark, I see you've also received an education on t...

2009-03-10T21:33:00.000+02:00

Mark,

I see you've also received an education on the state of South African politics by an anonymous probably DA supporter.

Heaven forbid that someone have a different opinion.

The DA's carrying on only makes ANC support grow.

If the ANC gets more than 67% of the vote, I will blame the DA!

an uncircumcized youth - very funny. When I first ...

2009-03-10T19:39:00.000+02:00

an uncircumcized youth - very funny. When I first heard this I was happy that someone put Malema in his place. As a young black women in the New Sa how could I have a man like Zuma and his Malema get my vote? I say its a womens' turn, even a tough one like Zille will do a better job than Zuma and his crooks.

You clearly know little about politics my friend. ...

2009-03-10T18:56:00.000+02:00

You clearly know little about politics my friend. Let me educate you:

There are three key facts which must mark the beginning of any analysis.

Firstly, when the ANC was in full cry (1999; 2004) they (in its original, united format) were receiving upper 60's in support. A lot has happened since then and the country has changed markedly. But to keep it simple, lets say that ANC and COPE support, when added together, should come to between 70-75%. In other words, the broad ANC is dominant as it always was.

The second indisputable fact is one that is really picked up on by the media. But it is absilutely crucial nonetheless. Jacob Zuma won at Polokwane - but only with 59% of the vote. A full 40% of the ANC did not vote for him (in a secret ballot). This is not an opinion poll. Nor was it a vote of the upper, ruling elite. It is the best measure of grass-roots ANC support for the two factions.

Simple Maths tells us that 60% of 70% is equal to 42%. I'm not asking for miracles - I'm not even asking for a change in the reality of the political situation. In the 2009 general elections, if SA voters vote the way they did in 2004, and if ANC supporters vote the way they did at Polokwane, Zuma's ANC will fall well short of the 50% needed to rule the country without a coalition partner.

This brings me on to my third and final point - one that is equally important. Quite simply: The ANC has no friends. The magic of Mandela is gone. Faith in the Mbeki Project has evaporated. Zuma will enjoy no honeymoon. A coalition with the DA is unthinkable. The ID, once partners in 2004 and 2006, has - with the coloured vote - turned sharply into opposition. Julius Malema has insulted Buthelezi's wife (and every other party for that matter). The ACDP is fed up - as is just about everyone else - the PAC, UDM, UCDP... quite simply the ANC will not find a coalition partner anywhere.

Not a good idea to dabble in things you clearly ha...

2009-03-09T22:31:00.000+02:00

Not a good idea to dabble in things you clearly have no idea about. The paucity of insight in this piece is astounding!

thanks Martin, I will check out the myrosebank blo...

2009-02-25T21:55:00.000+02:00

thanks Martin, I will check out the myrosebank blog.

Nice post and keep up the good work. Social capita...

2009-02-25T13:44:00.000+02:00

Nice post and keep up the good work. Social capital in a way is the glue in society. In a fragmented South African society beleaguered by spatial disconnect due to fatal urban planning mistakes, walls and boundaries in response to crime and cultural difference and rampant individual materialism to name a few this glue does not work. Have tried to post something on this in relation to suburbia at http://myrosebank.blogspot.com/search?q=social+capital, would be great to hear your views at some point, best

Thanks Joitske, you have of course unerringly anti...

2009-02-16T22:11:00.000+02:00

Thanks Joitske, you have of course unerringly anticipated my next posting! Of course you are right. SC materialises in different forms for individuals, communities and societies, and sometimes in unexpected or unanticipated ways.
Mark

Hi Mark, I wonder if social capital as some point ...

2009-02-16T19:02:00.000+02:00

Hi Mark, I wonder if social capital as some point doesn't materialize in forms of support, resources, comfort... but we never know when we'll need it. You see that when there is a crises, you may get support from unexpected corners.

Thanks David. I think the Shell scenarios are eve...

2009-01-08T15:54:00.000+02:00

Thanks David. I think the Shell scenarios are even more interesting now than when they were developed 3/4 years ago. I will post more on these scenarios in due course.
Mark

Mark.Interesting concept, this Open Doors.Thanks f...

2009-01-07T17:04:00.000+02:00

Mark.

Interesting concept, this Open Doors.

Thanks for the link love. I responded to your comment on QPQ if you haven't seen it already.

David

@studies: Congrats on finishing!@networks: There i...

2008-10-02T18:56:00.000+02:00

@studies: Congrats on finishing!
@networks: There is a book by Richard Sennet that deals with the phenomena of privacy protection in so called "western societies". Maybe we just need to start talking to each other with out reluctance?

Hi Mark, great that you started a blog! If you lik...

2008-09-20T11:39:00.000+02:00

Hi Mark, great that you started a blog! If you like writing, I think you'll enjoy it as a way of structuring your thinking. I'll add it to my list of blogs to read!

Hi Mark,Nice new blog! Good way to keep in touch w...

2008-09-16T21:40:00.000+02:00

Hi Mark,

Nice new blog! Good way to keep in touch with your South-African social capital!

Best wishes,
Pieterjan

Dear mark, congratulations with your new blog. It ...

2008-09-15T22:21:00.000+02:00

Dear mark, congratulations with your new blog. It is interesting to read about your observations and reflections. I will list you in my blogroll!! Suzanne