Outrage at SA govt's Dalai Lama ban

Our problem is we (SA) have not got any fixed principles whereby we are governed. Everything is decided on on an ad hoc basis after checking what "today's pressures" are. Or "who we might upset".

So instead of the Zuma case being decided on principles (rule of law, all equal before the law), our government convinces itself it would be dangerous to put him before a court of law, and makes embarrassing exceptions, even more embarrassing explanations, convoluted arguments, etc.

Instead of the application by the Dalai Lama being handled on a "freedom of passage" or "freedom of association" basis (with, if they had to, a mild statement that he had been invited by other individuals, not by our temporary-jockey Prez), instead the "pressure of the day" is Don't Upset China.

And we're left with a shameful, embarrassing, transparently-bulldust set of shambolic excuses. Mbeki started it at the UN, the Zuma gang look set to continue it.

Any faint chance of Leadership based on Principles, anyone? Where everyone knows SA "does the right thing" and cannot be manipulated for convenience? Please? It actually makes your lives EASIER, less embarrassing!

The South African government have now turned the Soccer World 2010 into a get together of soccer playing nations and all their fans except 1, so its not a "World" cup any more because HH Dalai Lama wont even be able to come to SA as a soccer spectator , a right which every other citizen of the world has been given including other Tibetans !!!

Is this not in violation of the FIFA rules and regulations regarding access allocated to fans ? Does this not breach the contract to host the soccer World Cup ? How dare the ANC government be so presumptious and egotistical to dictate the human rights of one of the few people in this world whose human rights are absolute and unconditional.

This is another sad, sad example of weak willed politicians being corrupted by power.

This is also a sad day to be a South African .....

Assuming it is true that the SA Government did not refuse a visa to the Dalai Lama because of pressure from China, one can only think that this refusal is based on religious grounds. This will make a mockery of the ANC's insistence that in SA there will be no barring of people from anything, based on religious grounds. The ANC still have not learned that one should not only talk the talk, but also walk the walk, to have any ethical and moral relevance in the wider world out there. Dr FIM van Zyl, Waterfall, KZN

It is most probable that South African government is got valid reasons that are to do with security of Dalai Lama should he be allowed visa for this particular conference. As the government indicates that he is allowed to come to South Afica at any time on his personal capacity.

This is politics. you can't have it both ways. you go to bed with China, you have to accept that their enemy is your enermy. SA cut ties with Taiwan in the 90's. On the other hand Government showed that they were out of their depth when it comes to taking a tough stand. the Dalai Lama came to SA twice (during Mandela, and Mbeki's times). Mbeki tried to balance good PR, and relations with China by not having an official meetig with him. these chaps in government are swiming with the sharks, and look like they have not been in the wild before.

On the other hand jeorpadising the livelyhood of South Africans just to host the Dalai Lama would be foolish. China is a major trade partner with SA, and those relations are crucial. that being said ings like thee separate charismatic popular leaders and strategis, firm, ans level headed leaders. SA is coming from one era of leadership to the other (we have taken the wrong ruite). i just hope such instances show how a leader determines the path the country takes.

Is that the familiar stench of corruption wafting over us (again)...could this all be connected to SA (meaning the ANC) coming to a cosy agreement to allow China to cherry pick our resources, for a consideration of course ?
Mathews Phosa, who has no government position, represented SA (ANC) at the recent ceremony to celebrate the offical beginning of the 2nd colonisation of Africa - I think what is happening is the ANC confuses itself for the state, so that what is a threat to the ANC is by default a threat to SA, hence the hamfisted and pathetically justified refusal to grant the Dalai Lama a visa. Had they just shut up and let the show go on, he would have been lost for the most part amongst all the other dignitaries and celebreties.

Where was your shame when South Africa voted in your name to block the vote condemning the abuse of human rights in Myanmar, or the recent attempt to block the arrest warrant for Omar al-Bashir for genocide; crimes against humanity; and war crimes. This was all done in the name of South African citizens.

This situation is regrettable it reflects a long trend of South Africa ignoring it's past and cow-towing to Chinese foreign policy.

It appears South Africa's soul has a price and that price is R60bn in trade, pretty cheap if you think about it.

If it's all about trade with China - and we all knew that from the get go - why did the president lie and call it a soccer issue? If you'll lie about things like that, you'll lie about other things, too . . . Oh, and China? If we can lie FOR you, we can lie TO you . . .

China desparately needs the rawmaterial and subsequent markets of Africa more than we need them . The subservient attitude taken by this government smacks of lessons yet unlearned from the past. This morally corrupt government is clearly showing their hand of the future- and then they wonder why the country is bleeding brains like it does.

We should all face facts, any comments made by ordinary citizens are really a waste of time. Does anybody in the government read these comments. My bit for what its worth. Had the DALIA LAMA been allowed into this country it would have been like killing the goose that lays the golden egg as far as the ANC is concerned, China is their main sponsor for the election campaign.

Just how stupid can these decision-makers be? This decision throws S.A. bck 20 to 50 years to he days of "whites only". Now the very same nonsense is applied to "browns". Will S.A. deny access to the leaders of other nation-states, religions, or any other organization or group that happens to be neither black nor white ? SHAME ON S.A. SHAME SHAME SHAME

I have not missed a World Cup in person in over 5 decades, but 30 of my friends and I who have always travelled togeher (and have spent "tonnes" of money during he matches) have decided WE WILL NOT ATTEND WORLD CUP S. A. IN PROTEST . Shame on S.A.'s politicians ! ! !

I share the indignation and astonishment of Bishop Tutu and fellow South Africans regarding the SA government’s denial of a visa to HH the Dalai Lama. His Holiness and Tibet are, contrary to the stated intention of this visa refusal, now basking in unprecedented levels of attention from South Africans (abroad and at home). I hold some hope in the thought that perhaps this is the result of the SA government’s attempt to appease the Chinese 'in policy' whilst allowing the wheels of its democracy to determine the 'real outcome'.

Though my primary emotions consist of confusion and horror at this turn of events, it also reinforced the memory of the journey I have made from being ashamed to call myself a South African (in the apartheid years) to what it means to me to be a ‘proud’ South African free from apartheid, wandering the world, equipped with the story of our peaceful revolution.

For all its industrial strength China cannot boast such potency as that of our peace laureates and His Holiness – whose influence is infectious and transcends their physical presence at any rally/conference/summit. I have long brushed aside the narrow-minded words and actions of politicians who seem to have forgotten the ethos which delivered them a podium, and have, instead, drawn my strength from the resilience of ordinary South Africans who ‘just want to get on with living their lives.’

I view this SA foreign policy 'faux pas' as an opportunity for South Africans to assert their voices within our democracy (hopefully, in support of His Holiness’ participation in the peace conference), despite the preferances of a government whose country greatly benefits from trading with one of Africa’s most influential and stable countries.