JJ Tabane brings frank dialogue to UWC

The University of the Western Cape (UWC) community came out in numbers to support alumnus and Member of Council JJ Tabane on his book launch at the UWC Main Hall on Wednesday, 9 September 2015.

JJ Tabane, as he is affectionately known, launched his book titled Let’s Talk Frankly, in which he talks aboutthe need for discourse in South Africa and the need for leaders to be held accountable. He made a personal example of the relationship he has with his ward councillor who he has never seen or met.

Tabane told the audience that there is no big bang theory in life, and the issues of poor accountability from government officials needs to be addressed; he said the book is to remind government frankly that no one is above the law.

“South Africa is full of writing material, I will write till I am at death’s door. Who needs fiction when there is Nkandla” he said jokingly. Tabane talks about a variety of issues in the book. He writes a letter to the Department of Higher Education and Training Minister, Blade Ndzimande, ‘gossips’ with Thuli Madonsela, and tells Minister Angie Motshekga that South Africa is ready for a female President even though the leader shouldn’t be her.

Tabane tells Mmusi Maimane to be firm with the white people in the Democratic Alliance and warns him of the likes of Allister Sparks who rained on his parade during his official inauguration. The book focusses on sensitive topics like Kheyda deployment and describes it as dysfunctional, emphasising the need for servant leadership from government.

Programme Director at the book launch, Afrika Melane, said: “The book will provoke you and it will make you laugh at his cheekiness”.

Rector and Vice Chancellor at UWC, Professor Tyrone Pretorius; Chancellor at UWC, Archbishop Thabo Makgoba; Commissar Sam Matiase from the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF); and ANC Western Cape Secretary General, Faiz Jacobs, were all engaged in the Frank dialogue with JJ Tabane.

In his closing statement, Tabane said South Africans should fight against people demeaning SA freedom.