IT'S the winter of 2014 and the recently axed Minister of Basic Education and former ANC Women's League president Angie Motshekga is staring at the screen of her computer in her study.

On the screen in front of her is a statement headlined: "We Thought We Were Free", which she is about to e-mail to a top historian compiling a book on the role of women in a fledgling democracy as well as the dangers that come with political apathy.

Interestingly, the statement has a striking resemblance to the one issued by late German pastor Martin Niemoller, who was persecuted by his hero-turned-ruthless dictator and mass murderer Adolf Hitler more than 80 years ago. One Milton Mayer later published the famous statement in a best-selling book titled They Thought They Were Free in 1955.

Motshekga's statement reads:

"They first harassed Gauteng Premier Nomvula Mokonyane, and I didn't speak up because I was not Nomvula Mokonyane.

"Then they came for Minister of Women, Youth, Children and People with Disabilities Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya, and I did not speak up because I was not Noluthando Mayende-Sibiya.

"Then they came for Water and Environmental Affairs Minister Bulelwa Sonjica, and I did not speak up because I was not Bulelwa Sonjica.

"Then they came for Public Enterprises Minister Barbara Hogan, and I did not speak up because I was not Barbara Hogan.

"Then they came for many other women in senior political positions, and I still did not speak up because I was not other women.

"Then they came for me, and by that time no one was left to speak up."

Rewind to November 17 2010, Madame Motshekga, and you will find that your silence on critical women's issues since you were elected ANC Women's League president has been overwhelmingly deafening. It is this that will be your undoing.

Whatever happened to the dictum wathint' abafazi, wathint' mbokodo?

Beware of errant magistrates

Guluva had always thought that our magistrates were squeaky-clean individuals who did not engage in unsavoury things like regular people do.

Magistrates have been, by the very nature of their jobs, put in a position of trust where they have to uphold the law. They are always expected to be in the straight and narrow and leading society by example at all times.

Guluva had always thought they were almost saint-like.

But, if a damning report submitted by the magistrates' commission to Parliament last week is anything to go by, Guluva has every reason to be afraid, very afraid.

According to the report, the bench is teeming with drunkards, thieves, liars, fraudsters and cheats, most of whom have been suspended on full pay while awaiting trial.

If some of our administrators of justice need to be reined in, what right do they have to rein in others?

Wives and washing machines

Despite all the dark and gloom that seem to define our national mood, Guluva had a nice chuckle the other day when he saw this advert outside a pawn shop:

"We exchange anything - bicycles, washing machines, etc. Why not bring your wife along and get a wonderful bargain?"

Guluva may not be his partner's favourite person right now, but he is not contemplating exchanging her for a washing machine, at least not yet.

• This is a column, written by Bathathe Guluva. Email Guluva on: thatha.guluva@gmail.com.