At a press conference to explain his response to the Ginwala Commission, a journalist asked then-president Kgalema Motlanthe to elaborate on what he meant by referring the matter of the director-general of the department of justice and constitutional development, Menzi Simelane, to the minister “in accordance with the law”. Simelane had, according to the Ginwala […]
Onkgopotse JJ Tabane
Onkgopotse JJ Tabane is Chief Executive of Oresego Holdings - International Business Advisors. He is an accredited Associate of the Institute for Independent Business International (iib). He writes here in his personal capacity.
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Onkgopotse JJ Tabane is a Media and Communications Specialist who has become a public commentator on a wide range of socio political issues over the last decade.
He has cut his teeth in both Government and Private Sector as a top communicator winning awards such as the Government Communicator of the year in 2002 and holding senior positions such as Ministerial Spokesperson for various ministers, Head of Ministry of Environmental Affairs, Communications Advisor to the Chamber of Mines Communications Vice President and General Manager at South African Airways as well as Chief Executive of Graphicor and Simeka Communications. He has also held a senior corporate affairs Job at Top Electonic Company Altron where he was in Charge of the company’s Transformation Programme and Corporate Social Investment.
When COPE was formed in 2008 Tabane quit his Corporate Job to Join COPE as their Head of Communications leading up to the 2009 General election. Until July 2010 Today amongst his many activities he was the Political Advisor to Former COPE Parliamentary Leader Dr Mvume Dandala and occasional contributor to many publications. He has also served on various boards of directors including as a member of the Gauteng Tourism Authority, Johannesburg Tourism Authority and until recently chaired the board of the Indalo Yethu Environmental Campaign.
He is still a member of the Northwest University Council where he is serving his second term. JJ Tabane is widely known for his forthright manner of debate and fearless tackling of public commentary since his student days where he was SRC President and Vice President at the Universities of the North and Western Cape where he qualified in Law and Politics. He holds a BA,( UNIN), BPROC (UWC) and Masters in Political Economy (NMMU).
He is married to Lorraine Ditshedi Tabane and has two children, Oreabetse (4) and Resego (12) after whom he has named his newly launched International Advisory Business Oresego Holdings.
Posted inGeneral
An open letter to the minister of stealth, I mean health
On the eve of World Aids Day I write to you about the unfulfilled promises for which we can’t possibly only blame you … Dear Bra Aaron, One of the most appealing things about your appointment as minister is your general approachability — hence I know that this letter to you from citizen nobody will […]
Posted inGeneral
If Parliament were to shut down, would you notice?
So Parliament held its last session with pomp and ceremony to witness the changing of the judiciary guard. Judge Pius Langa must have been happy to see the back of the partisan-infested relationship between the executive and the judiciary which was marked in this session of Parliament with the appointment of his successor. A move […]
Posted inNews/Politics
We need more leaders like Asmal
South Africans from across the political divide who are serious about building a democracy where a free exchange of ideas is tolerated and rights of people respected must cringe and be disgusted by Fikile Mbalula’s tirade against Kader Asmal in recent weeks. To define this conduct as hate speech is an understatement. I hold no […]
Posted inNews/Politics
ANC must learn to tolerate criticism
The wise words of former chief justice Pius Langa at a Press Freedom Day function last Monday highlighted the importance of freedom of expression. There are many in our society who do not understand this freedom and its responsibility. There is a need to be patient and tirelessly remind them of the dark days when […]
Posted inNews/Politics
What’s wrong with a Cope-DA marriage?
“Quite early on after the bomb I realised that if I was filled with hatred and desire for revenge I’d be a victim forever. If we have something done to us, we are victims. If we physically survive, we are survivors. Sadly, many people never travel any further than this. I did travel further, going […]
Posted inGeneral
Happy birthday Tata Tutu
Archbishop Emeritus Mpilo Tutu is turning 79 and still going strong. I had the privilege of working with him in many capacities in my life and have never been able to understand the deep-running humility of this prophetic man of God. In the church he did more than his share when he led the entire […]
Posted inNews/Politics
Zuma’s hotline: Clever or crazy?
Whoever came up with the idea of President Zuma’s hotline is either very crazy or very brilliant. There is an interesting story to be told on both sides of the reality of the consequences of this bold initiative. First of all it is an indictment that citizens in any well functioning country should have to […]
Posted inGeneral
Is Mokonyane a lone ranger in fight against corruption?
Once in a while you come across a politician who leads from the front and lives by example. And so when you have a premier who does not hesitate to show an MEC the door, is not afraid to show the rebels in the taxis the middle finger when they threaten violence and has already […]
Posted inGeneral
What is Pastor Ray up to?
How honest is the jarring partisanship instigated by Pastor Ray McCauley? Would another church leader such as the archbishop of the Anglican Church have gotten away with inviting one political leader to their congregation in the middle on an election campaign? Maybe, but would anyone have gotten away with a blatant refusal to invite the […]
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An open letter to the minister of basic education
First Laugh on Friday Dear Mme Angie, I noticed that you waltzed into parliament late when President Zuma visited the house last week and spoke of the challenges facing our education system. I am sure you had a good reason other than Prof Jonathan Jansen’s widely publicised remarks and totally unjustified conclusion that you are […]
Posted inGeneral
Woza Biko … SA needs you
I am not an ardent follower or scholar of Steve Bantu Biko who died this week back in 1977 at the hands of the brutal South African security police. But I venture to ask … what would he feel, what would he do in present day South Africa were he alive? Many people dare say […]