Google Search is one of the last major international internet services accessible in China after the government in that country banned Facebook, Twitter, Youtube and several other sites in 2009, making them inaccessible to local internet users.

Google begrudgingly agreed to play ball with the great firewall of China in order to officially operate in the country, but after some of its users’ accounts were hacked – apparently from within China – Google said it had had enough and would pull out of the country if internet filtering was not relaxed.

I travelled to Beijing last year as a guest of Lenovo and got to experience the Great Firewall firsthand. It was eery not being able to access Twitter or Facebook, but I soon found ways around this. One method was to use SSH tunneling and apparently VPN access works well too – some companies are even making money out of selling this kind of access to internet users in China.

Another less obvious method was to use the browser on an Amazon Kindle. The Kindle connects wirelessly to cellular networks around the world thanks to roaming agreements with AT&T – Amazon’s network partner. Using the Kindle Browser I could hit Twitter, Facebook and other banned sites. The Kindle experimental browser is terrible – but it worked. And it’s free.

Obviously there are ethical issues with content filtering and I don’t believe governments have any right to apply such controls, but the reality of internet usage in China is that the filtering isn’t a big deal for users. I’m reminded, again, of infamous libertarian and computer scientist John Gilmore’s quote – “The Net interprets censorship as damage and routes around it.”

Google will still be accessible from China, but will not have a dedicated Chinese service, which is the gist of this latest news. This will provide new incentive for the Chinese to provide their own services, just as they have come up with their own alternatives to Twitter and Facebook.

I live in a country with problems-a-plenty, but at least freedom of speech and censorship laws are progressive and protected by the constitution.

The link in the message redirects to a Free Lotto scam site.

Some people said they were scared of Jacob Zuma, the president of the ANC who faces a court hearing surrounding his corruption trial this week, and, more specifically, that they were afraid of his supporters. Hardly an irrational fear. This sparked a discussion surrounding Julius Malema, the ANC Youth League (ANCYL) and why it was necessary for them to protest Jacob Zuma’s legal standing if they do respect the independence and decisions of the judiciary, as claimed.

Sarah Palin, John McCain’s running mate in the upcoming US elections was also discussed in the light of actor Matt Damon’s recent concerns voiced over her position on creationism and the fact that she only recently received her first passport. Barack Obama compared McCain’s economic policies to those of George W Bush’s in a speech yesterday saying (of the policies) that you could, “put lipstick on a pig, but that didn’t change the fact that it was still a pig.” Republicans retaliated suggesting that he was calling Palin a pig since she compared herself to a “pit-bull with lipstick on.” Is right-wing America losing its mind? Or did that happen a long time ago?

Other topics covered included places in South Africa that deserve more attention in terms of tourism and local travel, superstition and the work being done at the Large Hadron Collider. Particle physics were discusses with some attempts at explaining quantum mechanics.

I also got Julius Malema’s age wrong, along with the date of the US elections and several other things, despite knowing the correct information. Clearly I need a holiday. Which is why I will not be on the air next week, but return the following Thursday morning before 00:00 and 04:00.

We also received another call from Sue in Mondeor who does fantastic charity work. She requested that someone help her with a bakkie or other means of transportation she can use to pick up donations to charities and distribute food and other items. If you can help Sue by donating a vehicle or even just using your own to get things to her, please call her on +27 11 680 0651.

I’m off to the KZN South Coast to try and get my brain back in working order. Can’t wait to get back on the air as soon as possible thereafter.

Today I am a proud South African, but not proud to be South African.

The current situation has brought focus onto the worst of our society – but has also highlighted the best. Over the last two weeks I have seen my fellow South Africans by and large make personal sacrifices of time, money and material commodities in meeting the humanitarian crises that has developed as a result of displacement. Schools, churches and police stations have become places of refuge, safety and shelter and ordinary South Africans have answered the call for blankets, food, nappies and other requirements. This makes me proud.

Last night I listened to the speech of our South African president, Thabo Mbeki, who rightfully positioned the situation as a disgrace. He also accurately reminded us that the perpetrators of the heinous crimes we have seen committed over the last two weeks are a minority of the population. His speech was succinct and poignant, although sadly a tad late. But it got me to thinking about famous political speeches; those that have molded history, changed entire global climates, stemmed violence and eased tragedy. Speeches that are repeated throughout the annals of history in quotes and art.

One of my favorite speeches was made by American president John F. Kennedy in his inaugural address on 20 January, 1961. Kennedy was speaking to a challenged America facing its own questions of inclusion and diversity and dealing with its own climate of fear and uncertainty. As I read over the words he spoke on that day I find numerous parallels between his message and the current situation in South Africa. Consider the following:

“To those old allies whose cultural and spiritual origins we share, we pledge the loyalty of faithful friends. United, there is little we cannot do in a host of cooperative ventures. Divided, there is little we can do – for we dare not meet a powerful challenge at odds and split asunder.

To those new States whom we welcome to the ranks of the free, we pledge our word that one form of colonial control shall not have passed away merely to be replaced by a far more iron tyranny. We shall not always expect to find them supporting our view. But we shall always hope to find them strongly supporting their own freedom – and to remember that, in the past, those who foolishly sought power by riding the back of the tiger ended up inside.

To those peoples in the huts and villages across the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required – not because the Communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.

To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge – to convert our good words into good deeds – in a new alliance for progress – to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers. Let all our neighbours know that we shall join with them to oppose aggression or subversion anywhere in the Americas. And let every other power know that this Hemisphere intends to remain the master of its own house.”

This powerful section of the speech from a new president was preceded with an acknowledgment of universal rights:

“The world is very different now. For man holds in his mortal hands the power to abolish all forms of human poverty and all forms of human life. And yet the same revolutionary beliefs for which our forebears fought are still at issue around the globe – the belief that the rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God.”

And let us not forget what has become the most repeated piece of this particular address, in greater context:

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country.

My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”

Basic integrities and freedoms are universal and have stayed the ages since we found our civlisation. I am proud of my fellow South Africans who have answered the humanitarian call of the displaced multitudes we host in our country. They have come here because South Africa, like the United States of America, is seen as a beacon of hope and democracy with celebrated diversity. It is a country in Africa where human rights are respected and upheld and where basic freedoms are cast in a progressive constitution. Sadly this image has been tarnished by a group of hooligans.

As eloquent as Mr. Thabo Mbeki is and as good as I personally believe his speech was last night, I call on him and our other leaders to tear a page from John F. Kennedy’s book; address universal rights and freedoms, remind us of the fragility of our liberties and the duties we have to our fellow man. End the madness that has gripped our society by speaking to people on the ground.

I for one stay committed to our beautiful country as I walk hand-in-hand with it into a new future. We have current problems and challenges to face. The future is uncertain. But I will meet it with my country. Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika. Ons vir jou, Suid Afrika.

The entire speech by John F. Kennedy can be found by clicking here.

The more sane among us, however, will recall that it was never proven in court that Zuma was guilty of any wrong-doing, although judge Hilary Squires did comment that there was “overwhelming” evidence to suggest that Zuma and Shaik were in a corrupt relationship. Be that as it may, this evidence must still be brought before a court of law in a case against Zuma specifically.

And then there are those who believe that Zuma is victim of a conspiracy being led by the Mbeki government. Such claims are hard to take seriously though and not even worth commenting on.

Will Zuma be found guilty of the charges that have been brought against him? And what will the ramifications be if he is? Many are quick to predict that he will be the next president of South Africa – but how can he be if he is convicted of fraud?

While the current situation is interesting, it is also scary for those of us living and trying to build a future for our children in South Africa. The looming legal battle and tension within the ANC, combined with Zuma’s moral and leadership questionability are breading great uncertainty as to the country’s future and stability. This, in turn, will have a negative impact on the economy.

There is still cause for optimism, however, and South Africa has survived far worse than this. But 2008 will be, without question, a make-or-break year for South Africa in terms of solving the crime problem, preparing for the FIFA World Cup in 2010, dealing with economic and energy challenges and convincing the world that we are still worth investing in and betting on.