PHUMELELA/RA/ABC

Well done TS I knew I could count on you to read between the lines -
still waters do indeed run deep.

Ouzo mate!

Getting back to the subject line of the thread, the coals are now on the braai..........but who is on the menu....?

More to follow on SA's most popular horse racing discussion forum.

So where does that leave owners that are non ra members on race days? If the ra run turf now what will happen? Will members be the only people allowed on course? Will we be charged? Will the ra work along with the nhra to build the membership into your yearly fees? Thus reducing their prices?

Troubleshooter,i suggest u take off the ''blinkers'' and give credit to the RA/PHUMELELA were they deserve it! U will be proven wrong,the RA will run the racecourses with the buget of phumelela imvho!

I agree with Bush that one must try to resolve this problem and move forward. It has been going on for too long. Having said this I do not say that ABC must just forget all the issues. No, all parties must sit round a table, but if a satisfactory answer is given, we must also give Phumelela/RA the benefit of the doubt. One has to say that Clyde Basel as the new CEO of the RA is not responsible for what preceeded him, BUT Clyde must then become his "own man". Let me explain....

Lets take the issue of the new lights. If an allegation is made that the lowest quote for the new lights is millions less than the accepted quote, then it is of serious concern. The members needs answers to this question, as it just does not sound right, and it does not smell right. Ignoring this issue, or this question, makes one doubt many other things. It makes outsiders think that the people asking these questions at ABC have a very good point.

Because the question has been ignored, the question now obviously is:

(a) Is anybody on the RA or involved in Phumelela involved in the company that has been awarded the contract for the supply or the errection/installation of the lights.

(b)Why was the MUCH HIGHER quote accepted, as I understand the lowest quote is the same contractor that installed the lights at Newmarket.

(c) Are everybody are ABC wrong. It is possible. The reason why I chose this example is because it should be very, very simple to prove them wrong. Do it, prove them wrong.

Surely Clyde can just answer the question as they are relevant and totally ON TOPIC. If this is not part of Clydes duty as the CEO of the RA to investigate issues like this on behalf of the members of the RA and to supply the answers, then one must seriously question what exactly his duties are?

A total outsider would have to agree with my point of view in the above example, on the other hand WHO is asking these questions, are they members of the RA? If they are why must Clyde as the CEO of the RA only respond to certain members of the RA and not to others. Surely he is the CEO for ALL the members of the RA. On the other hand we must give Clyde a fair chance and not just disagree for the sake of disagreement. If on the other hand there IS a problem with the awarding of the contract then Clyde MUST expose it. Ignoring it.....makes one ask the question....Is Clyde his "own man", or a pupet. He must be the CEO of the RA for all the members.

One of the biggest factors for me having followed this issue for some time is simply that the people on this site are making the statement that the RA and Phumelela is exactly the same thing. To me, I see this as the single biggest issue in all the statements/accusations and arguments. I ask Clyde to answer this question. Is the RA independant from Phumelela. Is the RA really acting as the main shareholder of Phumelela. Let me explain....

In the whole sorry Bear Sterns issue in the USA, a 9% shareholder is forcing his hand and questioning what is going on. At the early stage it looks as if JP Morgan Chase will improve their offer by $ 8.00 per share, in fact quintupling their initial offer. Without going into the merits of the case, is this the type of pressure that the RA is putting on Phumelela?

The lines between exactly what is Phumelela and what is RA, looks very, very distorted, and for the outsider it looks as if they are exactly the same thing..................not so? Really? Lets look at an extract of Clyde's interview with Freeracer:

"but also to an amalgamation of Phumelela and Gold Circle in the interests of racing. One company for racing!"

This is a Phumelela (listed company) issue with Gold Circle. Yes the RA, as the biggest shareholder in Phumelela, the RA has a big say in the matter,( in talking to Phumelela), but you are saying that the RA and Phumelela is looking at taking over Gold Circle. Where are the lines Clyde.....as the CEO of the RA you must concentrate on the RA members issues, like answering the questions about the lights. It is not your job to help Phumelela to take over Gold Circle. This more than anything proves the point that I am trying to make. Clyde, the RA and Phumelela is NOT the same thing. That is what the members on this site has been saying for a long time.

Lastley, relooking at my example above iro of the doubt in people's minds when an obvious question about the price of the lights is being ignored, then I state that I am watching how the issue of this weekend iro SPAMMING is adressed by the RA, for obvious reasons. For me, the handling of this issue, or the replies and or the lack of replies, from the CEO of the RA will answer many, many questions.

Let me state that I consider myself as an outsider in this issue as I am NOT a member of the RA, but a member of Gold Circle. I do not have to tell anybody that the members of Gold Circle has opposed a merger before. Suffice to say.....we are watching. Soon we may have to vote again.

A well balanced, logical and seemingly unbiased contribution from an interested party with no baggage. Well put, Sharkie!

A mature, well-construed post from Sharkie.

Just wish to touch briefly on that Turfontein lights contract.

Clyde can easily put that issue to rest. All he has to do is ask the RA Chairman and A.N.Other RA board member, who along with other members of the Concerned Owners group, had sight of the tender and the massive discrepancy.

As for the question of whether the RA and Phumelela are one and the same, Clyde has already answered that when he took office with that infamous "united we stand, divided we fall" statement, when asked about the RA/Phumelela relationship.

Before ABC, a blind eye was turned to these issues and any lone 'dissenters' (like Jayes) were ridiculed.

That cannot be allowed in a free and open society.

ABC has no hidden agenda, it is a free site for stakeholders, where debate about horseracing and sport ensues.

The proprietors of ABC dont benefit financially and rely on the generosity of open-minded sponsors to make ends meet.

Thx Sharkie!

Heard a rumour that a armed robbery occured at Durbanville racecourse on Saturday the 22nd.
Just a rumour or is it true?
Can anybody find out the truth.

What site u talking about cats?
About Freeracer? The men deserve credit,always on the button with all the news ect and u know it yourself!
Gtting back to the RA/PHUMELELA.these are facts they they are doing a great job and i dont understand why people are continuesly moaning about ''baby kak''

Bush, from Holland, your metamorphasis ito of your spelling, moderation, language is impressive.

Hope you still dipping,boet.

You not hanging out with that right wing Dutch politician, are you ?

Whats his name again ?

what good are they doing bush especially for you sitting in holland..do you now get an sms when your ponys are running and another if they win...