Mediaboss Marketing

After losing a national election, its natural that a political party goes through a period of soul-searching and internal turmoil.

The Republican Party, though, has taken it to another level.

President Donald Trump brought most of the GOP along for the ride during his conspiracy-fueled attempt to overturn the election.

His loyalists have been scouring the landscape searching for Republicans to censure or primary for insufficient loyalty to him.

The most famous Republican House freshman mused not too long ago about a space laser starting the 2018 California wildfires.

And Trump has maintained his hold on the party seemingly effortlessly.

This dismaying chapter has led to declarations that the party is doomed or calls to split it up.

A former chair of the Washington state GOP wrote in an op-ed in The Seattle Times urging, as the headline put it, Lets form a new Republican Party. This prompted a Chris Cillizza item at CNN headlined, Should Republicans disband the GOP?

Theres been a spate of articles by erstwhile Republicans announcing they are done with the party.

Jonathan Last wrote a piece in The New Republic titled: The Republican Party is dead. It is the Trump cult now. Washington Post columnist Kathleen Parker declared, The party isnt doomed; its dead.

This seems a mite premature about a party that represents roughly half the country and is on the cusp of a majority in the House, tied 50-50 in the Senate, and in control of the governorships in 27 states and both the governorship and state legislature in 22 of those.

If we are going to consider this geographically diverse collection of officeholders whose careers in many instances pre-date Trump and will outlast him a mere personality cult, the word cult has lost its meaning.

The fortunes of our political parties ebb and flow and their iterations change over time, but they are deeply embedded institutions of our public life.

As Dan McLaughlin, my colleague at National Review, points out, the Republican Party has, since its inception, been a fusion of a classic liberal wing with a more populist, elemental conservatism.

Whats different about Trump is that he represents the ascendance of the populist wing after it had long been in a subordinate position in the party. Even he, though, retained key traditional policy priorities of the GOP, from tax cuts and judges to religious liberty and abortion.

That said, the party does need to get beyond Trump, who is a three-time loser now in the 2018 midterms, in his 2020 reelection campaign, and in the Georgia special elections. In electoral terms, all the winning stopped circa November 2016.

It if feels now as though the post-Trump GOP will never arrive, American politics moves quickly. Richard Nixon resigned in 1974, leaving the GOP in utter disarray and yet Reagan won a landslide six years later. The Tea Party sprang to life from nowhere in 2009 and had disappeared by 2016, subsumed into the Trump phenomenon.

There will inevitably be an overwhelming controversy in the Biden administration or a crisis that moves us beyond the politics of the Trump presidency and the immediate aftermath.

New issues will emerge, and there are plenty of talented, ambitious Republican politicians who think they are better suited to win a presidential election and serve as president than Donald Trump 2.0. The incentives are for them to slipstream behind Trump for now, but that wont always be true.

The temptation to splinter from the GOP might be alluring to elements of both the populists and the Republican traditionalists, but this a dead end.

The Republican Party is the only plausible electoral vehicle for any sort of right-of-center politics in America. It is worth fighting over, and it will be.

That struggle is sure to be toxic and unpredictable except for the fact that at the end of the day the Grand Old Party will still be standing.

Rich Lowry is editor of the National Review.

Read more:
Dont quit on the GOP - Sampson Independent

By Se-Anne Rall 8h ago

Share this article:

DURBAN: "The enemy of my enemy is my friend" - it appears the ancient proverb rang true for two political heavyweights, former president Jacob Zuma and commander-in-chief of the EFF, Julius Malema, who met "for tea" last week.

And who is their common enemy? It could very well be President Cyril Ramaphosa.

On Friday, Malema flew to Zuma's homestead in Nkandla in KwaZulu-Natal. The visit was preceded by an exchange on Twitter where @Julius_Sello_Malema tweeted @PresJGZuma: "can we please have tea urgently?" @PresJGZuma then responded: "Thobela Moshabi. I have seen your request to share a cup of tea. As you know, Nkandla village is home for me and that is where my time is spent these days. Tea I have plenty of, you are more than welcome to come over for a cup."

Political analyst Dr Ntsikelelo Breakfast said while Malema had said much about Zuma in the past, there was a common denominator between the two - Ramaphosa and public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan.

"Zuma has not forgotten the past and had it not been for Zuma, Malema would not have been removed from the ANCYL. However, Ramaphosa and Pravin Gordhan remain the common denominator between the two. They will put their differences aside," he said.

Breakfast said the question to be asked now was, does this pose a threat to South Africa, and should Ramaphosa be concerned?

He said it was not easy for Zuma to now be out of power and there was a push for the forces of radical economic transformation to bounce back into power.

"If this happens, the charges against Zuma will never be pursued. This could be a strategy where they will collaborate and use Parliament as their battleground. However, Covid-19 could save Ramaphosa as due to safety protocols, Parliament has not had a sitting," he said.

Breakfast said he believed that the meeting between Zuma and Malema was not a spontaneous one.

"This (arrangements for meeting) could have been happening in private, and when it was shared on social media, the media went overboard and played into Zuma and Malema's hands. This can be seen as psychological warfare," Breakfast said.

Meanwhile, professor of political studies at the University of the Witwatersrand, Lawrence Hamilton, dismissed the tea party as nothing more than a publicity stunt.

He added that it proved how Malema is capable of blowing whichever way the wind blows".

Hamilton said it could also been seen as Malema using the opportunity to garner support in KZN, a province he has little support in.

"We could just look it as a cabal of corrupt politicians having tea," Hamilton said.

IOL

See original here:
Nkandla tea party: Common foes brought Zuma and Malema together, says analyst - IOL

There is much speculation as to why there had to be a high tea at Nkandla, and indeed, why these specific characters were in attendance. I love high tea. I fondly recall my days at Cambridge while reading for my PhD when a group of us would gather, usually in front of the Indian Palace restaurant, and set off on our customary Sunday morning stroll along the river Cam towards our favourite tea garden, The Orchard.

It is a tea room and tea garden in Grantchester, near Cambridge, serving morning coffee, lunches and afternoon teas. It has been there since 1897 and is a popular retreat for Cambridge students, teachers and tourists, as well as locals, with many famous names among its patrons over the years, among them Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, EM Forster, Bertrand Russell, Augustus John and Ludwig Wittgenstein the so-called Grantchester Group.

As we indulged in scones and double-thick cream with strawberry jam, we felt as if we were among these great men and women. As always, we would discuss our respective philosophies and what progress, if any, we had made in the previous weeks.

Topics would range from the complexities of trade relations between the Global North and South, to making significant advances with developing a kill switch for modern-day robotics, given the advances of artificial intelligence.

Or many times, we simply cracked our heads over a simple philosophical statement, cogito, ergo sum I think, therefore I am. Whatever did Descartes mean and how did Bertrand Russell and Wittgenstein make sense of this? Those were good days with my brothers and comrades.

I mention these intellectual pursuits and deliberations because I am convinced that the high tea in the hinterland of KwaZulu-Natal between Jacob Zuma and Julius Malema was anything but intellectual, or for that matter, attempting to solve challenges that would result in a better world. No, their discussion, Im afraid, was probably rather more sinister than that.

And true to Malemas word, it seems your foe today can be your friend tomorrow. Gone are the days, it seems, of chanting pay back the money.

Nor, it seems, will those in attendance recall the number of votes of no confidence Zuma had to endure.

Lets put all of that aside and agree we have a common enemy in the person of Cyril Ramaphosa, and indeed a common problem that of wanting to stay out of prison at all cost. So, for the moment we will have to go with this malarkey and come up with a credible plan.

The coalition of the prisoners-to-be met at Nkandla to plot the way forward and to agree on a modus operandi that must ensure that all of them do not face the long arm of the law and thus circumvent justice for their wrongdoing. Whether it be for allegedly stealing from the poor in the VBS bank saga or actively stealing and corrupting our state institutions.

So, what is this plan?

The game plan, I imagine, goes something like this: our backs are up against the wall and the Hawks are closing in on us all. We must convince Zuma to swallow his pride and go to the Zondo Commission. Once there, we are expecting you (Zuma) to embarrass and more importantly implicate President Ramaphosa in all manner of wrongdoing during his tenure as deputy president. Why, because two wrongs make a right, do they not?

There are people in the Ramaphosa camp who have also participated in State Capture lets expose them too. Scorched earth tactics are what is needed now. Give ample credence to the submission made by Brian Molefe and add a bit more spice, as only you can do. Once this is done, we will find a patsy similar to the one who recently laid charges against the president to lay charges again.

In short, Mr President, be all you can be.

This will give us the ammunition we need to then do two things. One, in keeping with the ANC national conference resolution, demand that the president must step aside for the accusations to be investigated. Two, a motion of no confidence will be placed on the parliamentary order paper.

The reasons for this are the revelations coming from the Zondo Commission, the sorry state of the economy, the corruption involved in the PPE tender scandal, the mess with the recently acquired vaccines and we will think of a few more good ones in order to make it believable.

The point is that once we have removed Cyril, we are almost home free. Free, quite literally.

Because he who controls the West Wing of the Union Buildings controls all the levers of the justice and security cluster the courts, the NPA, SAPS, the SSA and the Hawks. This is a no-brainer, Zuma, we can pull this off. Now, lets be merry and partake not in scones and cream, but in true African style with a whole spit lamb.

By the way, all this is possible because we on the other side, the right side of history, are dragging our feet. For the life of me, I cannot tell you why. We are giving these guys ample time to plot, connive and plan.

The manipulation of ANC branches in all provinces is next: after all, the 2022 national elective conference is practically here already! This is where the Tea Party will perform its final act removing Ramaphosa as president of the ANC and electing its members back into power.

Its a great plan concocted at Nkandla. But it wont work.

What in reality is going to happen is that Zuma, Ace Magashule and Julius (the troika) will be arrested and will see their day in our courts. The Hawks are in the final stages of finalising the charge sheet for Julius theres no avoiding this one.

Ace will be forced by the NEC next weekend to step aside, with everyone else that has been formally charged by our National Prosecuting Authority, indicating that it believes there is a case to be answered.

This will most certainly destabilise and scupper any chances the RET grouping thinks it has. But lets not stop there.

I furthermore propose, Mr President, with the untimely death of our beloved comrade, minister in the presidency Jackson Mthembu, that the time is right for you to announce a Cabinet reshuffle. David Mahlobo must be the first to bite the bullet, thus demonstrating that what went on at the SSA cannot be forgiven or condoned, and criminal charges must surely be brought against him.

This must be followed swiftly with Madam Lindiwe Sisulu, who has been a thorn in your side from the minute she lost at Nasrec. In addition, incompetent ministers and deputies will also have to be shown the door, Im afraid. Ill leave these up to your imagination.

In short, Mr President, be all you can be.

Come this Thursday evening with the opening of Parliament, remind us all why we voted for you in 2019.

Demonstrate how caring and thoughtful your governments approach has been during this devastating Covid-19 pandemic. The speed and rapidity with which you dealt with the PPE corruption we are already seeing the positive results from the investigations and the bringing to book of those responsible.

Tell us to all take a bow with regard to the revenue collection of SARS, even during this difficult time. Inform us that even with a stringent and constrained fiscus at this time, your government will finalise the legislative requirements for the introduction of a basic income grant for the poorest of the poor in our society.

Remind us why we should still all shout, Thuma Mina!

This is the narrative that will prevail not the ones from Nkandla. DM

Oscar van Heerden is a scholar of International Relations (IR), where he focuses on International Political Economy, with an emphasis on Africa, and SADC in particular. He completed his PhD and Masters studies at the University of Cambridge (UK). His undergraduate studies were at Turfloop and Wits. He is an active fellow of the Mapungubwe Institute for Strategic Reflections (MISTRA).

Read the original:
The Nkandla Tea Party cabal wants a scorched earth policy answer it by sweeping clean the Augean stables - Daily Maverick

Small Business Spotlight: Spartea, combines a day spa with tea parties

Updated: 6:08 PM EST Feb 7, 2021

Hide TranscriptShow Transcript

COULD ARRIVE. SO KEEP CHECKING THE FORECAST. LISA: THIS IS SPAR T, THE PINK DOOR DAY SPA FOR GIRLS. THIS IS THE OWNER, SERRITA MURRAY. COME IN. WHAT A GREAT IDEA FOR A BUSINESS. HOW DID YOU COME UP WITH THIS? >> SO SPARTY ORIGINATED FROM 16, ALMOST 17-YEAR-OLD DAUGHTER. I ADOPTED HER FOUR YEARS AGO. SO WE HAD TWO GREAT THINGS TO CELEBRATE. WE'RE CELEBRATING HER ADOPTION AND HER FOURTH BIRTHDAY. SO BECAUSE IT'S ME, I HAD TO BE UNIQUE AND OUT OF THE BOX AND WE DECIDED TO DO A BIRTHDAY PARTY FOR HER. WE WANTED TO DO A SPA BIRTHDAY PARTY. ALONG WITH THAT, I WANTED TO DO SOMETHING UNIQUE. WE DECIDED TO DO A TEA PARTY. SO THE SPA, WE DID THEIR NAILS, THEY GOT PEDICURES. THEY MADE BRACELETS AND THEN AT THE END OF THE PARTY, WE ENDED WITH A TEA PARTY. HAVING SAID THAT, I THOUGHT THIS IS A GOOD CONCEPT. THE PARENTS DROP THE KIDS OFF TO MY HOME. THEY ABSOLUTELY LOVED IT. THE GIRLS HAD A GREAT TIME. I THOUGHT WE MIGHT BE ON TO SOMETHING HERE. >> SO YOU HAVE THIS GORGEOUS SHOP. SO WHAT HAPPENS OVER HERE? YOU GET DIFFERENT PACKAGES. THE GIRLS CAN COME IN -- >> SO SPAR-TEA, IF YOU LOOK AT THE NAM, IT'S SPAR AND THEN YOU SEE THE PAR, AND THEN YOU SEE THE TEA. ALL PUT TOGETHER, IT'S A SPA TEA PARTY. THE DIFFERENT PACKAGES, CANVAS PAINTING, YOGA, ZUMBA, SLIME, OR JEWELRY BEADING. AFTER THE GIRLS GET FINISHED WITH THE FIRST PART OF THE SERVICES, THEY GET LITTLE NANIS AND PEDDIES. WE DON'T DO CUTTING OF CUTICLES OR ACRYLICS. IT'S FOR LITTLE GIRLS. WE SOAK, CLEAN, POLISH. AFTER THE NAILS ARE DONE AND THEY'VE PAINTED AND DID SLIME OR YOGA, IN THE BACK ROOM WE DO A HAND AND FOOT MASSAGE, ALL PRETEND NO DEEP TISSUE. A LITTLE HAND MASSAGER AND THE GIRLS LOVE IT. THAT'S PROBABLY THE FUNNIEST PART FOR THE GIRLS. THEY'RE DYING LAUGHING, SCREAMING AT THIS POINT THAT THEY'RE GETTING A MASSAGE. AFTER WE GET FINISHED WITH EVERYTHING, WE SIT DOWN TO THE TABLE HERE AND WE DO A FRUIT AND VEGGIE PLATTER, FOLLOWED BY CUP CAKES AND TEA AND HAVE A TEA PARTY. LISA: SOUNDS LIKE A LOT OF FUN. WHAT DO THE PACKAGES START AT? >> THEY START AT ABOUT 650 AND GO TO 675 FOR THE FULL BIRTHDAY PARTY. INCLUSIVE. WE DO EVERYTHING FROM THE INHAVE ITATIONS TO THE CAKE, THE TEE, THE DECO, ALL INCLUSIVE PACKAGE. LISA: COME HERE AND YOU DON'T HAVE TO CLEAN ANYTHING UP. >> YOU DON'T HAVE TO DO ANYTHING. WE DO IT ALL. LISA: IN THIS TIME OF COVID, HOW ARE YOU MAKING SURE EVERYBODY IS SOCIALLY DISTANCED. YOU HAVE A LOT OF MOMMY AND ME THINGS GOING ON NOW. >> SO, UNFORTUNATELY, WITH COVID, WE'RE NOT DOING THE VERY LARGE PARTIES LIKE WE USED TO. THEY ARE STILL AN OPTION IF PEOPLE WOULD LIKE TO. BUT WE'RE DOING A LOT OF MOMMY AND ME EVENTS. MOMMY AND ANY SPA DAY. SOME MOMS COME IN, EITHER BEAD JEWELRY, MAKE SLIME OR CANVAS PAINT WITH THEIR DAUGHTERS AND THEY GET THE MANI AND PEDI. THE WHOLE TIME THEY'RE HERE, THEY'RE HAVING MASKS ON. WHEN THEY SIT DOWN, BECAUSE WITH THE PLAY DATE, AFTER YOU GET -- WHILE YOUR NAILS ARE DRIVING, WE SEND YOU LEMONADE IN A CHAMPAGNE FLAUT AND A SNACK. THEY'RE SITTING TOGETHER, DRINKING LEMONADE OUT OF A CHAMPAGNE FLUTE, HAVING SNACKS WITH MOM. THEY TAKE OFF THEIR MASKS, BUT WE KEEP OURS ON THE ENTIRE TIME. A LOT OF SANITIZING WHEN THE CLIENTS LEAVE BETWEEN OUR PLAY DATES. WE'RE MAKING SURE EVERYTHING IS CLEAN AND SANITIZED. >> ALL RIGHT SO PEOPLE JUST NEED TO GIVE YOU A CALL AND MAKE AN APPOINTMENT. >> ABSOLUTELY. GIVE US A CALL. COME IN. WE'D LOVE TO HAVE YOU. LISA: WHAT ARE YOUR HOURS? >> WEDNESDAY THROUGH SUNDAY BY APPOINTMENT. OPEN AT 11:30. CLOSE AT 5:00 DURING THE WEEK. ON THE WEEKENDS, WE'RE HERE UNTIL 6:00. >> SERITA MURRAY AND SPAR TEA. >> THE PINK DOOR DAY SPA. WE'VE HAD RED DOOR. WE'RE THE PINK DOOR. WE'RE LOCATED IN CROSS KEYS. LISA: THAT IS

Small Business Spotlight: Spartea, combines a day spa with tea parties

Updated: 6:08 PM EST Feb 7, 2021

In this weeks Small Business Spotlight, we visit Spartea, a small business that combines a day spa with tea parties for young girls to enjoy special treatment. They offer birthday parties that include everything from getting nails done, to arts and crafts, massages and even the cake.

In this weeks Small Business Spotlight, we visit Spartea, a small business that combines a day spa with tea parties for young girls to enjoy special treatment. They offer birthday parties that include everything from getting nails done, to arts and crafts, massages and even the cake.

Read this article:
Small Business Spotlight: Spartea, combines a day spa with tea parties - WBAL TV Baltimore

Happy Birthday, Reign-Beaux! The daughter of Toya Johnson and Red Rushing turns three years old today. Toya took to her Instagram to send birthday wishes to her baby girl and share the fun details of Reign's tea party themed birthday.

"Wishing my little princess the Happiest Birthday! May your day be filled with sweetness, wonderful surprises and fun! May all your dreams come true! I love you@reign_beaux#happy3rdbirthday," Toya captioned the adorable photo.

Toya and Reign wore matching Dolce and Gabbana floral dresses for the adorable event while kids ate sweets and treats and sipped juice out of the cutest teacups.

Toya and Reign wore matching Dolce and Gabbana floral dresses for the adorable event while kids ate sweets and treats and sipped juice out of the cutest teacups.

Reign's big sister, Reginae Carter, also took to her social media to share an adorable photo from the pretty in pink tea party, which she captioned, "Happy birthday to my little mini-me ! I love you so much !! I can't believe you're the big 3 ! I'll forever be right there in front of you . if anybody wanna get to you .. they gotta get through me happy birthday to my reignyyyy@reign_beaux."

Read more here:
Toya Johnson Celebrates Reign's 3rd Birthday With A Top-Notch Tea Party And Table Filled With Sweet Treats! - BET