More Than Just Cigarettes

Ten steps forward and twenty steps backwards seems to be the case with South African Politics. The ones in charge have a racist policy or agenda that won't disappear as it is their only thought pattern.

The new South African Government came into power in 1994 which is not a few years ago but 26 years now. The way they carry on you would have thought this was their first term in office as not much has changed. They have created the divide that is still with us today which is a shame and that is black and white.

When the country was in it's interim stage of between governments who do you think paid for the likes of Mandela to have a house and a salary? It was the established businesses of the Oppenheimer's and the Rupert's who took care of them.

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Today Johan Rupert through British American Tobacco has filed a law suit against the South African Government for banning the sale of cigarettes and tobacco products. The outrage on Twitter by the public saying it is down to him being white etc is just plain nonsense and disrespectful.Color does not come into this and should never be raised as we are all South Africans.

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A few weeks ago Johan Rupert pledged along with Nicky Openheimer a donation of 1 Billion Rand each to help businesses and their employees through this demanding period. This donation was made available to all South African businesses and already this has been manipulated by the powers to not make that the case.

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This was Johan's response on Twitter and then followed up by the Department for small business development.

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What I find funny is the Rupert's were the ones who started the Department of Small Business Development and was their baby. Without his funding it would die a death instantly. That is a slap in the face and no wonder it wasn't meant for public viewing as they wouldn't want him to see that. Thankfully he is fully aware right now and his funds will go to the ones that need it.

You don't mess with Rupert as you will lose. I know as I used to work for his company back in the early 1990's and then transferred to the UK with them. Rupert was threatened by the Trade Unions in the early 1990's and his response was more direct. If their workers wouldn't call off the strike he would replace them with people that want to work. The very next day when no workers showed at the Heidelberg factory he placed a gazebo in the middle of town offering work for anyone interested. Needless to say he had queues of new employees and never had a problem since.

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The work that he does for the country through the different foundations is endless. His dad was a founding member of the WWF and he continues this today. The Peace Parks which was started with Nelson Mandela is funded with Rupert's money.His companies which he has a lot of them are all based in South Africa so they pay tax here and unlike others who try tax dodges he doesn't.

Some wouldn't blame him for the way he is treated by telling everyone to piss off and packing up, but he won't do that. I just wish the stupidity about white privilege etc would just disappear as color has nothing to do with how most of us live our lives. Any excuse to throw the race card is wearing thin and people wont put up with this forever. You never bite the hand that feeds you and in an around about way they are as his companies do that much for this country.