Opinion By Masibongwe Sihlahla
Sam Sole brilliantly as always dishes up any little bit of data up as facts, in fact he knows very well that to journalists and reporters data is nothing but unqualified facts. He did not do the due diligence to seek further information to convert his data into facts.
Was it because the data was obtained under dubious circumstances or with the intent do sow disinformation as is his hallmark? The reading public needs to obtain knowledge from any article they read and the take-away expectation is a certain knowledge about aspects of the article.
The way Sam Sole wrote the Lithium article was done in such a devious way as to leave the reader focused on misinformation, half-truths and innuendo cooked up in Sam Sole’s contorted mind.
When looking at Sam Sole’s writing about the Lithium mine there is a law I call Masibongwe’s Law “ facts spreads linearly across media networks but fake news increases exponentially across media networks” Fake news with its attendant hype and sensationalism is deliberately dressed up to appear as facts to achieve parochial interests.
Across all media networks there was today and article exposing a white mining manager viz Johan Breedt who extorted suppliers to the tune of R600 000, yet Amabhungane chosed to issue a completely fabricated story – I guess any dung dinging is by nature fabricated news- about how , Zunaid Moti a highly successful and respected black businessman is trying to con a very large international Chinese company by selling them fake claims of lithium deposits.
Open Letter to Amabhungane and Sam Sole by Zunaid Moti
Sam Sole in his haste to spread his typical lies neglected to do a simple Google search otherwise if he did so his story would not add up but hey since when did Sam Sole let the facts stand in the way of a good digging dung story. Google shows as follows “Zimbabwe has been identified as one of the world’s largest producers of lithium, solidifying its position in the global market, United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported.
The study revealed that while Australia continues to dominate lithium production, Zimbabwe has made significant strides in harnessing its vast lithium reserves.”
It is sad that in his blind obsession to denigrate black business success Sam Sole will stop at nothing to undermine black excellence.
This is not surprising when one considers this is a man who used to patrol black townships in Buffel or Casspir behind a R1 rifle dressed in his proud to wear SADF battle fatigues, and battle they did- shooting dead hundreds of young black boys in the townships of Port Elizabeth as Gqeberha was then known each weekend the Black Sash organised local and international protest against this indiscriminate shootings.
This was a man who willingly and enthusiastically elected to protect Apartheid from behind the barrel of a gun instead of joining the ranks of the ECC (End Conscription Campaign) who was willing to sacrifice their lives instead of shooting young defenceless black boys who was fighting against the occupation of townships by the SADF.
Due to various strategic reasons Zimbabwe as one the largest producers of lithium in the world has placed a ban on the export of lithium ore.
The Moti Group already operates a huge lithium processing plant in South Africa and thus their Chinese partners preferred to reduce their stake. Sam Sole instead of familiarising himself with the facts elected to rather spread half-truths and slander as is his wont for many years now.
Just as the oil sheiks in the 70’s realised that the longer the oil stays in the ground the more it becomes worth Zimbabwe is also realising that they need greater control over the export of lithium ore as the income from lithium mining can be used to accelerate the economic growth of the country which is facing various illegitimate sanctions from the west.
Because lithium is becoming more and more important in the drive towards E-cars the price of lithium is going to increase as well as the production which both ways will lead to increase to the fiscus in Zimbabwe.
Not millions but billions are at stake. In such a multi-billion dollar industry the stakes are huge because the profits to be made is also in the range of billions for the astute investor.
Media houses like Amabhungane we know by now are agents of international capital and it is obvious by now that there are big investment firms who has their eyes on the lithium claims of the Moti Group in Zimbabwe, hence the hatchet job their loyal henchman has done on Zunaid Moti. For totally irrelevant reasons it was mentioned by Amabhungane that Zunaid Moti arrested and imprisoned for five months.
What they did not mention, conveniently is that the charges were later withdrawn as it was trumped up charges by an embittered business rival, similarly Sam Sole in desperation bordering on the insane also mentions that Zunaid Moti was charged with murder which was later thrown out.
Sam Sole selectively curate his data to the public who assumes it is backed by relevant information so as to give the impression that Zunaid Moti wants to con the Chinese investors.
The Chinese are highly sophisticated executives and knowledgeable of mining themselves and is quite capable of not only reading the US Geological Survey Landsat 5 and 7 maps but also their own Satellite Geological Survey maps which is interpreted by expert software as to the validity of pegmatite deposits or not.
These are highly sophisticated businessmen who are billionaires in their own right and has at their beck and call the best geologists in the world with the best up to date technology and software.
For Sam Sole to suggest that these Chinese businessmen can be conned by “slap pap” as they say in Afrikaans is outrageous and borders on the bizarre to even think it.
It is clear that Sam Sole is either mentally impaired to suggest such a scenario or he has a hidden agenda to sabotage the Moti lithium venture. The question is , is he getting paid to dig this “dung” my dignity and decorum prevents me from using the “s” word? You the reader decide.
He accuses Zunaid Moti of trying to sting the Chinese but who are really trying to sting whom here? If the Moti Group deal is successful and they can find an investment partner blacks will benefit and that seems to be just the thing Sam Sole seems to be having a problem with.
Masibongwe Sihlahla
Independent Writer and Political Analyst
Central News Issue 022: Download the latest weekly edition of Central News Print and Digital Newspaper. Top Stories : “ANC Free State maintains Silence on controversial RDP tender”
Download Here:
Read our latest publication on magzter:
https://www.magzter.com/ZA/Central-News-Pty-Ltd/Central-News/Newspaper/All-Issues/
________________________
Central News offers sponsored articles, Print Media, Social Media Marketing, Door To Door Pamphlet Distribution, display branding partnerships, podcast services, newsletters, live streaming , Radio & Television Content Development and paid interviews.
We guarantee exceptional exposure, reach, and engagement, with an excellent return on investment.
Advertisement:
To place your advert on our platforms (Print Newspaper or Digital Platforms) : Please email : sales@centralnews.co.za
For Business Related:
business@centralnews.co.za
Newsroom:
Send your Stories / Media Statements To: newsroom@centralnews.co.za
General Info:
info@centralnews.co.za
Office Administrator:
admin@centralnews.co.za
Whatsapp / Call: 081 495 5487
Website: https://www.centralnews.co.za
Social Media Platforms (@centralnewsza) : Linkedin, Facebook, Tiktok, Twitter, Instagram, Youtube
#centralnewsza #fscentralnews #nwcentralnews #gautengcentralnews
CENTRAL NEWS
1 comment
What a brilliant article exposing the StratCom operatives who are now operating under a new guise, the guise of fighting corruption. this is fresh coming from gusy who protected the Apartheid state.