Brutus Stabbed Caesar With a Knife at Noon

BaldOpinion09

30 May 2012

Ok, so here we are back in South Africa where the majority holds sway.  This sway is held not because something is right, or wrong, but because the majority determines the way to go.

Why is it that we forget about context, about priorities; we also forget that respect, experience and growth toward maturity – all elements that are earned?

I cannot understand why people follow blindly. Why do we accept views that are determined by “culture” without constructive question?  Maybe it is my own blindness.  Why do I get the sense that we are blind to a practice when certain people enact and bright eyed, even vitriolic, when others do the same thing?

No matter how unreasonable the practice, or outdated, we chase after the one who questions a culture, particularly if s/he is not part of that way of life.  Why?

Some contend that the ANC has lost more than its moral compass.

In reference to the 14 year old girl and King Zwelithini, remember the fracas this caused when people dared to question?  What about the Swazi King Mswati III who has seven wives and lives large, attends an English Royal wedding and this, despite his Kingdom being amongst the poorest in the world? Question that and you’re in trouble.

Readers may refer to this writing as racist. In South Africa, when you are not able to substantively argue a point, then you label the one with dissenting view.  Today the common refrain is racism. During the 1970’s and 1980’s when it was decided that certain persons were to be discredited then the label, “police informer / sell-out” was apportioned, remember? The scourge of community organisation during the heady days of resistance was those, often among us, who took money from the state in exchange for information.

I am not suggesting that South Africa has and had no racists and that the past was not plagued by those who “sold out” to the apartheid government. Of the sell-out people continue to be politicians, even in the ANC. Today culture is a shield and you use it to justify why you need so many wives, and as reason for many other socially unacceptable practices. Racism that is what it is. People who question like this are racists.

Years ago my then colleague, Thandiwe Kgosidintsi, and I were in conversation.  I respected her intellect and her experience was of another world. I remember many conversations with Thandi. Those about religion come to mind.  “You’re a Catholic Thandi, and I have spent a substantial portion of my life in environs influenced by Catholicism, yet…  I feel that the Church and reality, in many respects, are not aligned…” (I have no reason to be critical of the many splendid Catholic men and women who are my friends.)  However, I have and continue to question certain practices and beliefs within the faith.  Thandi agreed, “But… you know, I know that all of what you say is valid. I go to church each week because it makes me feel good. I cannot explain it to you.  Maybe it is the singing, the incense, others perhaps. It is much bigger than me, you see. I do not go to the building, to see the priest, or to marvel at the decorations in the more affluent parish churches. No, I go to the church to get nourishment for my soul, and it is something that I get in a Catholic Church.  After all, this is what I am accustomed to…”  

Maybe the same applies elsewhere. We support that which makes us feel most comfortable and often we have no need, desire, or concern about questioning / examining our practice for validity in the new world order?

Sis Thandi died two years ago.  It was a heart condition. Thandi was sad, I think, and I think also that it is fitting that I dedicate this piece to her memory.  I continue to wonder what my strong resilient, combative and gentle friend would have made of the recent fiasco sweeping across our South Africa.

You see, the Advocate was in conversation with a client. “Why did you allow a forensic auditor to change the document I had written for your signature?” In reply, the Plaintiff, still shaking, she said, “You should have seen these people; they were aggressive and I felt intimidated…”

“Yes, but when you experience an ache in the region of your knee, is it reasonable to consult an optician…?” – Shame, lawyers also have a role to play.

The Lawyer cried in court. Yes, Malindi wept. He was representing the South African President in a case where an artist’s impression included a painted exposed penis. It was a decent penis; in proportion with the rest of the painting I mean.  No, nothing like the David statue, better, I promise, this was decent.

A silent group, whom I may not agree with, continue to hold sway that if you have a gripe with what is immoral and what is not, then do not consult Jacob Zuma; unless you believe that he has an ability to reason about fairness without allowing old and outdated cultural practices to determine appropriate behaviour in the new modern world, particularly if you are the president where the peoples are plural. 

“I see, an advocate cried about your President’s penis”, reads an international text message I received recently.

I wondered whether all this howling was because of the penis; was it because the penis had been desecrated; were the tears as a result of relief, glee, envy, or; perhaps his sob was informed by the artist’s interpretation, which interpretation the lawyer found constituted disrespect.

Is culture not defined by what is practiced over an extended period?  This practice later becomes a norm, the way things are done, culture, voilà! 

What is the correlation between the latter and the historic depiction, which the artist uses to illustrate the person of our South African President; even though this time the image features an exposed penis? Is this relevant symbolism or artistic license in need of censure?

Let’s examine / describe the subject:

1.    He has Five (05) wives;

2.    Is reported to have a child with his friend's daughter;

3.    Has stood trial for rape;

4.    Sports an affable personality with an inclusive leadership style;

5.    Is the President of one of the leading African countries;

6.    Is alleged to have more than 21 children;

7.    Is older than Seventy (70) years and;

8.    Continues to marry different much younger women –

If this is the subject and you are the artist, is it not reasonable to include a healthy penis in your depiction? I mean, what is the role of art if it is not also to reflect reality, create debate and examine certain practices?

How can an artist depict the described subject without reference to his enviable virility?

If asking these questions makes me racist, then I submit to being incorrigible. There is no racist as bad as the one who is benign, after all. However, before you apportion this label, think: 

·         Is your labeling me a racist defensible, given the circumstances;

·         is it justifiable, or;

·         are you using this label to shut me up, discredit me?

I saw a man being interviewed on the street the other day.  I saw it on an E TV news broadcast.  Speaking in a particular context, he said “To marry more than one wife is not love, but lust…” He was speaking as a Zulu man. I question whether this man is perhaps trying to communicate what he thinks is right in the modern world, or whether he is merely a sell-out?

View the above as funny, sexist and discriminatory, help yourself. Remember though, we are here referring to the President of South Africa.  All South Africans have him as our President.  He is my President too.

Meanwhile, here in South Africa, and on the front page of the Sunday Times, 27 May 2012, is picture of children learning under various trees and being taught by teachers who are not paid. http://www.timeslive.co.za/local/2012/05/27/suffer-the-children

Yes, whilst this embarrassing act denying our children rains down we bicker about whether a painting of the President, whom some describe as lascivious, should be depicted with an exposed penis; whether this is an insult and; whether it is an affront to the Zulu culture. 

I put it to you that this fiasco we bring upon ourselves is embarrassing.  It is also piffle and trite of law and I wonder whether this is perhaps the real reason why Malindi shed tears?

It is indeed a crying shame. I think that we should let the President, the penis, the painting, the gyrating, and the oft marauding crowds and the large wives, they should all just be man, let them be. We should allocate this wasted resources and trite, to education so that the future can be created by teachers who are paid.

I am ashamed, sorry.  I herewith apologise to those children, the ones receiving instruction under a tree in 2012.  You will probably never get this message, children, but I am so sorry and sorry is not medicine, this I do realise.  We have to do something about the state of affairs.  We have to shut up and make this talk about a better life for all real.

Stab the bastard Brutus!

So, this is Hellas

In 1971 John Lennon released the single, “So This Is Christmas”.  It has nothing to do with Christmas; instead, it speaks to a war and to a year end.

At the time of writing I am in Athens, Greece. I last worked in Hellas almost 30 years ago. There is nothing Greek about me, yet everything here Greek to me.

It was a hot Sunday afternoon when I arrived. Within an hour I exchanged a cold, wet and windy Rome for a warm, even hot Athens – National Election Day.

The usual suspects were in run-off. The conclusion, a hung result, and the government cannot be formed.  Horse trading followed for three days; but no conclusion was in sight. Some say that the Greek temperament gets in the way.  Is this an anathema, I wonder? Seems like new election as are to be held during June should the last ditch effort of Friday, 12 May fail.  Will the next result be different?

Since arriving I continue to struggle in order to understand the issues. The Temple of Poseidon, a heap of stacked stones and some remaining pillars sits on a hill over-looking the sea, no different to what I saw back in the day when my eyes were brighter and baldness a fresh developing prospect. In an acerbic tone I tell all who care to listen, “I am not here to see heaps of stones, old buildings and the like”; in the same way I think that driving, adding to pollution, and crawling about tarred roads in a nature reserve so to see an elephant a complete waste. Pictures of the wild beasts, and pictures, stones, even broken buildings, have always been more beautiful to me. The Greek temperament may not smile upon my view, so my thought stayed in my head lest I give offense.

Then I do a night tour of the Acropolis and I eat my thoughts, bitter thoughts, unnecessary thoughts, thoughts entertained in haste and in ignorance!

The cradle of modern civilization beckons before my shifty eyes. Empires, the knowledge of which make for sit up straight action in the wagon-cart drawing some 50 people up against the hill, windowing in and between the seat of history and through the most arduous of curls and bends as he, the  seemingly can’t care-less skillful driver negotiates the route. Not once do I feel apprehensive afraid or concerned that this country is in crisis. The others on the little train-bus, children in their final year of primary school, they chant (Imaste apo K R I T I) [we are from CRETE]. The children wave at ones on foot and to those in the closely arranged cafés, restaurants and bars; others who stop to look at the funny little train-car transporting excited children under the deft leadership of their man teacher who proudly wore a moustache in the style made famous by American actor Tom Selleck, those people there too exchanged waves.  I am taken by the moment and too am waving; with both hands, waving because there is no reason why my Cape Flats temperament too cannot come from KRITI, for we come from any and everywhere, anyway. The Greeks, however, are not a disparate people instead they are a proud people.

My hosts and I stop to eat Souvlaki. I do not let on how the recent experience has caused a lump in my throat. I think of stuff; the stuff about Twelve (12) Gods in Greek Mythology that pre-date Christianity - the Goddess, Athena, the olive tree and Acropolis.  I think about religion and how it is made by man because man has this need to worship, give thanks and in part be worshipped. Maybe it is because man is too little, or man is not enough, but this evening my conclusion is that, like Greek Mythology is a myth, so too are these religions we manufacture.

My friends, whom I love and who love me, know where this comes from. I cannot have a good friend unless I am a good friend first. We have to continue to do to others what we wish to have done to us though.

I speak with the Greek friends and I learn that the Germans and the French, the strength of the European Union that Greece is a part of, that these nations are at odds with how the austerity measures are unfolding in Hellas.  The Greeks have not complied; they have not held their side of the deal. The Greeks signed the agreement, but no longer wish to comply with the provisions thereof.  The brothers and sisters here in Hellas insisting that their land, the land of Apollo, Athena and others, this land is not to be exchanged for money from Germany and France.  I learn that the interpretation of austerity measures is that it, the austerity measures, is a farce and a ploy to own this land.

A better solution must be in the offing because when a people feel that exchanging their land for money is due process then this is a wrong.  This is wrong and no different to the wrong requirement, which requirement is determined by my skin colour before gaining entry to certain courses at the University of Cape Town, as example. This, no matter whether the so-called commentators, like Pierre de Vos, directs me to read articles dealing with Substantive Equality before venturing an opinion – how pompous and vile can one get! De Vos accuses me of being racist because I dare express a view without first reading a paper of his direction.

Equal fit and proper academic achievement proves ability and not skin colour. I do not support the notion that because in South Africa we had apartheid 20 years ago that I continue to require a handicap as defined by admission policies to universities.  I need no handicap because my brain is at least comparable to other brains no matter what skin colour envelopes it.

The Hellas solution should be determined by the people of this country. Debates about withdrawing from EU and returning to the Drachma based economy, a stricter application of the austerity measures and even a coup d'état informs the discussions amongst the Seven (07) parties in their animated discourse to find the most suited way forward.

Greek temperament! All of us have our respective temperaments. Greeks strike me as being a people who prefer to do the opposite.  A solution is needed though.  The solution could also be found in identifying a group of people, preferably successful business people, international beings who understand that change is required before Hellas will work in its own interest, recover and again claim its independence.  This is where modern civilization began.  Democracy as we know it was born here.  That democracy is outdated is a view I subscribe to.  Outdated, because it has become a mere label.  Anything containing a smattering of “… people by people…” is deemed to be a democratic process. This is trite because the label is not more important as the process and the result.

The solution is not to access greater loans; more loans and more money because this will result in a deeper vortex of depression emerging.  This is no different to the plans put out in spurious and gentle tones by the Minister of National Planning in South Africa when he pontificates, via little cartoons, the dream that unemployment will resolve when 11million jobs are created by 2030. Meanwhile, 700000 jobs are required per annum, as is the requirement in 2012. At the time of writing the total inclusive unemployment figure in South Africa is again 36%!

We need draconian measures imposed on education.

Sustainable jobs are required, not the little tasks that absorb some and later discard many.

The talk of people dying of long-illnesses, instead of telling that the spectre of AIDS continues is exacerbating our dreaded crisis.  Are we already nothing at the hands of the government we deserve?

In Hellas there is a need for people who know and understand economic development.  Independent people with integrity are required to facilitate an understanding and emerge with a supported inclusive plan.  I am not going to speak in fancy terms. If the plan is to be complied with then ordinary people should understand it.  We cannot find the best solutions if only some people understand the jargon used to describe these solutions.

Hellas wants an economy that can reinstate need for self-determination and independence. In order to achieve this there is a need for renewed disciplines. Austerity se moer!

Facilitate a solution that all parties can comply with. Agree to implement and do so consistently.

Develop plans to grow the GDP. Marshal the application within the country and; let the Greeks do it for themselves.

Germany and France were in the same position and the German experience was more recent, therefore, what is their insistent beef with the people of Hellas, and why?

So this is Hellas.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CT08acQ86K0

Al Pacino Plays Winnie Mandela

BalOp007

Al Pacino Plays Winnie Mandela

Part One – Being African

The terms never and always have to do with hysteria and; by talking one is bound to say something that others validate as profound.

Having worked in the USA, Australia and China, I observe that there, when referring to a public persona the person is always described as an American, Australian, or Chinese National.  This manifests when talking about politicians, musicians, sports people, and more.

I do find it strange that the descendants of African slaves in the USA claim Africa to be their motherland. These African Americans can, if that is their wish, but I find it strange. I find it strange because the Afrikaner in South Africa does not claim Holland as their motherland; the Malay of the Cape have no yearning for an Indonesian, or Malaysian so-called motherland despite several words continuing to pepper the colourful language of the Cape-Malay tongue - “tamaaf” (sorry). People generally claim a nationality derived from the country that they were born in. The places where people spend their formative years more than likely determine the way they define themselves. To cite an example, people who experienced their formative years in Cape Town speak of themselves as Capetonian South Africans.  

• During 1619 the first African people were sold as slaves in North America
• The first Dutch arrived in the Cape in 1652
• People brought to the Cape from Mauritius and Madagascar were first sold as slaves in 1653.

We have to be careful about how much emphasis is placed on nationality and regional definitions because over-analyses and emphasis can result in xenophobic tendencies emerging, which in itself is a form of discrimination.

If your forefathers were born in Africa, captured and sold as slaves nearly 400 years ago and; on an opposite continent where you today form part of a minority group, does this make you African?

Others argue that your nationality is determined by where your forefathers came from.  

Palaeontologists claim that all human life began in Africa.  If this be the case then all people are African. 

What is long ago? 

Part Two – The Impact of Being Local

Johnny Clegg and Ladysmith Black Mambazo are local musicians.  Each year these local musicians entertain more in foreign countries than they do at home in South Africa.

At the time of writing Johnny Clegg is performing to full-houses on different legs of his 2012 world tour. 

In America Michael Jackson remains an American Superstar.  In South Africa Johnny Clegg is a local entertainer.  During 1988 Michael Jackson cancelled a show in Lyon, France after it became apparent that Johnny Clegg had sold more tickets than he did for a performance on the same evening.

In Stockholm, Sweden, during a world event, the South African Afro-fusion group, Sakhile (to build), were the entertainers of choice. To the majority of South Africans Sakhile were unknown - celebrated by the world, but relatively unknown at home.

Our affirmation is disempowering.

Part Three

Why are we surprised when others come to tell our stories? If we continue to talk ourselves into being less than we are then others will continue to do for us what we better can do for ourselves.

In the film “Cry Freedom” Denzel Washington tell the Steve Biko story; whilst Morgan Freeman is Nelson Mandela in Invictus, why?

Big budgets are used to pay these known actors.  Big budgets were used to make these actors known. Why are the same big budgets not used to create new actors, actors drawn from people, people who then can tell their own stories?

The American actor, Idres Elba portrays Nelson Mandela in the soon to be released adaptation of Long Walk to Freedom. Why?

Is it possible that Richard Attenborough, or Guy Richie; Steven Spielberg perhaps, or Oliver Stone would call on John Kani and Marius Weyers to play Martin Luther King Jr and Winston Churchill respectively? No, because those people tell their own stories. They create their own Denzel Washingtons, but us we allow them to tell our stories - why?

On the other hand Meryl Streep was Margaret Thatcher…

I don’t think that it is right, even here, in the “Motherland”; where our obsessions include fixing the past whilst, and possibly the Italian-American, Al Pacino, is in training to play Winnie Mandela.

Those who are dead are not dead they live inside my head

BaldOpinion 06

Dedication

For Thelma Elizabeth (89), a native from the Saint Helena island off the west coast of Africa - my mother.  Thelma continues to be concerned about my humility “Boy” she says, “Your writing is too indulgent man”  

…The transistor radio in the fisherman’s bag was concealed by the long protruding Eveready battery. The workers travelling in that third class train carriage must have found comfort in the old, but familiar sound.  Outside, the sound of the train wheels rolling over interrupted tracks, and on the inside the otherwise silence too is pinched by the intrusion sounds from the wheels and even more, that morning, by the tune from the grainy, but familiar sound… of “Smile” coming from the fisherman’s tog-bag.   

“…Smile, though your heart is aching.  Even though it’s breaking…Though, there are clouds in the sky you’ll get by…” [1]

Peter September was then a boy, maybe eight years old, on his way to school. He always had time to dream though. “When I am big I’ll drive a train like this one”. 

The burgundy and grey train wormed slowly along the sea from Muizenberg to Simonstown.  The first smell of salt on the always wind as the train leaves Steenberg Station for Lakeside, then Muizenberg and from there all along the sea edge, past Kalk Bay and Fish Hoek en route to its final destination, Simonstown; also  the Head Quarters for the South African Navy and location of Peter’s school. 

Ringing in Peter’s Head, “I want to drive a train next to the edge of the sea; across a big river, and; through a tunnel in the mountain, and if I cannot drive the train – if I can’t, even when I am big, then I’ll be a Train Conductor and clip the tickets quickly, so that I can look through an open window and see the sea…”.

Job Reservation 

Ten years on and Peter could not become a train driver!  He could be a conductor, yes.  He would wear a brown suit with matching cap. The other conductors; men at the first class end of the train; they wore black suits, white shirts and matching uniform black caps – not as smart as the South African naval officers, those who also travel on the train.   

Women were not conductors, nor were they train drivers…, but they were in the navy; smart, was what they were in those uniforms, elegant and smart…, swans that is what they are called, swans.  

“… If you smile through your fears and sorrow…” 

… Certain parents tell their children “Finish your studies. Go overseas… find a job there.  The colour of your skin is not right for you to find a job in South Africa…”   

The young adult is often away for a year; next it is two years, and soon six years will have passed. Back home the father tires from listening to the mournful shaky tone in the mother’s voice when she repeats the now familiar…, the one always ending in “… Peter September! Will our youngest boy, Robbie, ever come home? …”  “mmm” says Peter, “… he might, but I don’t think that he will stay for long …” Peter then turns, and with that silent faraway expression, clutching the lip of the kitchen sink with his thumbs and index fingers, he gazes over the nothingness that is the windswept neighbourhood; their home, their house, but now the place where they raised their four children – now living in other countries.  

Sydney Bikwani, the Head Boy in Robbie’s Matric year, also, like Robbie, became a Civil Engineer after graduating from The University of Cape Town (UCT). Soon after graduating, cum laude, Sydney was appointed against a position of General Manager. In the Annual Report the construction company, Sydney’s employer, boasted that they employ a dark-skinned person at a very senior level. Sydney was 28 years old.  Sydney was always a brilliant boy though; complete with presence and the gift of charm – a raconteur of note and a natural leader.   

Over the past six years Sydney was General Manager with four different companies - all different industries.  Today, at age 34 Sydney is the Chief Executive of an Investment Company.  

Meanwhile, Robbie wants to come home to where the sun shines differently, to where his earliest memories are rooted.  Instead, his posting is, this time, as Site Engineer to build yet another bridge – this bridge will cross the river Tyne as it slithers with polluted water past Newcastle upon Tyne in the North East of England en route to the North Sea. 

Peter often thinks about his train ambitions; but more about Robbie’s journey and compares it to Sydney’s. Peter is cautious, cautious not to have his silent pain consume him. 

“…Smile and maybe tomorrow you’ll see the sun come shining through for you…” 

A few wines later and on a Saturday afternoon is when Peter speaks softly and gently with Valerie. He says “…One has to be careful because we paralyse ourselves with wonder and wonder can become envy.  You know, I have difficulty forgetting about the past and, even the people who are dead are not really dead, but they live in my head; our children, though gone, they too live in my head; but why is it that I only remember the recent experiences? I remember the old experiences differently and then often only the good parts. For instance, I remember you telling the children to have confidence. You constantly reminded them that confidence is not something that they have, but that they give to themselves – I wonder if they apply your words there in the foreign lands?

“Light up your face with gladness

Hide every trace of sadness

Although a tear may be ever, ever so near

That’s the time you must keep on trying”  

Nonetheless Valerie, time is a good healer. It heals the way we feel. That is why we forget the bad experiences, but we never can forget what those experiences felt like; the bad experiences, I mean.  Like the time when my mother was marched off the beach.  She watched over me while I stole a quick swim.  It was a hot Wednesday afternoon.  I had the Wednesday afternoons off in lieu of my work on Saturday mornings.  That Wednesday we decided on Fish Hoek Beach – there’s a fish shop there too. I remember those men, the one who dragged my mother because of her dark skin from the bench she was not supposed to sit on. I also remember her calling whilst being dragged, “Boy!” she shouted “Don’t swim too far, go back to the beach…” and later she said, “Those men were doing their jobs because they also have families to feed…” - strange how we could buy fish at the beach shop, but could not swim in the sea.

Yes Valerie, amnesia is a funny thing. 

“… How every good is tinged with a measure of bad? Look at our children.  They worked hard at school, achieved at university; they never stop studying, learning and becoming better at what they do.  It is a real pity that they cannot find suitable employment here at home where their skills are needed more. I think that to have a fair skin in South Africa is a curse.  In the past, to have a dark skin in South Africa was also a curse. 

Job reservation is for people with darker skins. In the past job reservation was for people who had fair skins. Why are we not having job reservation for people who have the better ability, the better skill, are more passionate and committed to their work? Instead we obsess about the damn past, correcting the past. Who can correct what was done; who can unsay what was said?”

BBBEE (B³ E²) 

The motive is to redress past imbalances.  The importance of this is widely agreed upon. However, the method applied is warped and onerous. 

Will B³ E² policies remain relevant?  The quick answer:  “yes, in part.” 

Will these policies as applied in South Africa be relevant for businesses to prosper and compete favourably with the rest of the world? The quick answer: “No.” 

There will come a time when Robbie and others like him come home to the air they know.  They will be revered for having persistently grown their experience in chosen industries and professions.  Business requirements in this ever increasing global economy will necessitate that those skilled persons be identified and appointed irrespective of their skin tone – lest we want to lag further behind the rest of the world… 

Whoever shares this view is dreaming. In South Africa we will continue to lower the standards of our education and lower entry requirements will favour dark-skinned people.  Fair-skinned people will have to comply with the higher entry requirements. We will insist that dark-skinned people remain preferred employees – after all, the employment of dark-skinned people in South Africa remains synonymous with equal employment. In the rest of the world equal employment means the employment of people without prejudice. In England there are currently concerns that women are not given sufficient opportunities in the world of work. The British Government will not facilitate this correction by lowering education requirements for women, even if they are forced to bring about correction by legislative means, as is the case in South Africa. No, academic entry levels for women will not be reduced and neither will women be able to secure positions without a demonstrable ability. The same criterion is not applicable in South Africa. Instead, no matter superior skill and ability, it is us who are born with a dark skin who will be classed as the better employee – the so-called equal opportunity candidate. 

When the fruit of this South African discriminatory employment fiasco is realised, then those who have moved from one job to another on the back of their dark skins, but without developing provenance through honing their ability, these people will be rendered less employable.  Talented women and men, like Sydney, will be retired or forced to take jobs less senior than those against which they are currently appointed; but which are more in keeping with their ability and experience.   

Will the reason for B³ E² policies have attained its objective? The short answer here too is, “no”.  

When this is realised then the accusation, “RACISM”, will again be levelled. Apartheid will be blamed; global warming perhaps; Yes, even the extinct toothless ferret of the North Pole could become a likely candidate for blame, but never will we look at ourselves, this dastard policy, and admit to how damn stupid we are to inflict our past at the expense of our future prosperity as a world contributing nation. No, instead we will persist in correcting the past by replacing one form of oppression with another, whilst expecting a different outcome from what those who have done so previously expected, but who have failed embarrassingly - Ben Franklin. Will the Chinese increasingly do in South Africa what they so vigorously are doing in Angola and other African countries? A new scramble for this Africa we call home…perhaps that is what South Africa wants? 

But then, how are we going to restore an expectation of entitlement caused by the form of affirmation herein discussed, and; how do we build a conducive environment for education when teachers are increasingly seen gyrating in the streets, often during teaching time, and at the expense of those whom they have to instil the discipline of learning for?  

“…Smile, what’s the use of crying…you’ll see that life is still worthwhile”

How easy it is to criticise!  In seeking an alternative I fail to see a quick fix.

 “…If you’ll just smile.”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kmw1yYRdDOM
Taken from the silent film, Modern Times, 1936 (Sir Charles Chaplin); sung by Mr Michael Jackson

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[1] Interlude – “Smile” by Sir Charles Chaplin. The music as we know it, is composed by John Turner and Geoffrey Parsons

Sometimes the body is limp and then…Sometimes the mind is limp

Baldopinion 05

Introduction: This article is in two related parts. (7 pages incl.)

PART One:

·        Comparative overview - Middle East and Afghanistan.  In this part I explore the possible use of Affirmative Action policies to correct the imbalance in practice between mainstream genders of Afghanistan. I set the scene for a comparison between employment practices in South Africa.

PART Two:

·        Compares the practices of previous South African government administrations with the current administration and relate particularly to inclusions of the recent State of the Nation Address, 2012.

·        I compare the wording used by Mr Nelson Mandela during the treason trial of 1961; wording from his inaugural address as President, and; the wording used by President Zuma in the said speech.

·        I conclude the article by asking whether sustainable jobs and business growth can result from the current practice of selective employment as determined by skin colour. 

PART One

An early morning broadcast, the BBC HardTalk programme with Fawzia Koofi. People seem to disagree more frequently than agree. There is either this, or that dispute, an appeal hearing and occasionally the odd acrimonious pre-trial discussion that I participate in, and I live in the world, hence my views. Prevention remains better than cure and left over feelings linger longer than actions. Hard talk is the nature of my business; do you have to do a lot of hard talk in your life too? I find hard talk exhaustive and over time it makes one into an ugly person.  After all, it is said that bees are better caught with honey than with vinegar.

Consider the difference between justice and fairness. Justice is about applying the law, but fairness, fairness is found along the path of a journey, which journey result a discovery of what is right. In previous articles I tried to explain about my friend teaching me that WHAT is right is superior to WHO is right.

The HardTalk interview sound bite that captured my attention was, “…Yes, but what about your own life; your two daughters, do you not and, do they not fear for your life?” In her recognisable Middle Eastern accent Fawzia’s response sounds flippant; even blasé.  She wears this reply like a hijab, “Sooner or later all of us will die, but do all of us make a difference when we are alive? I speak with my daughters and they share the concern in your question; but when they saw that we built a school they were excited; they could see and feel the difference we make…”

She spares no pause for an interruption from the seasoned interviewer.  The 43 year old Fawzia is already a seasoned politician and availed herself for the office of president in Afghanistan. The interview I refer to is not available: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2jPbRtnzayU&feature=related

In South Africa, the same day as the HardTalk interview was also the day that the affable President Zuma would address the nation. ‘Will the content of his speech to the nation also be affable?’ We hold this first sitting of Parliament of 2012 in the evening, so that more people can watch on television and listen on their radios. It is interesting to watch President Zuma.  He has warmth and his occasional chuckle is “so cute”, says my girl child. With the last elections the same child warned, “Dad, don’t again vote for a party whose ideas have expired.” She would not say what was meant by that comment.

In this article I attempt a flit between my President’s speech, its content, the interview, the Middle East and I conclude with a hypothesis, which hypothesis compares all of what is here written, but relating to South Africa today in preparation for tomorrow.

The Middle East: In the west we think of the Middle East politics as determined by the media we are exposed to. The subliminal and often not so subtle labels, Islamic Fundamentalism, oil and Zionism came to mind in the past when news about the Middle East was presented. The media changes public perception. Over the past decade, when the term Middle East was presented the overwhelming thought that came to mind was Islamic Fundamentalism.  This represented a hangover to cite a small number of reported incidents, viz. the Lockerby air disaster, the declared intifada against Salman Rushdie when he published the book, Satanic Verses, and 9/11.  Whilst working in America, shortly after 9/11, I overheard a whispered conversation between two elderly New Yorkers. I listened to them speak for a while because I find the New York accent interesting.  They were, both of them, ex-textile workers. Said one woman to the other, “any bugger wearing a beard and a dress and with a doily on his head is a terrorist, beware”.

However, compared to mainstream Christianity the way of Islam is one of difference. In this instance, do we conflate difference with the term fundamentalism? The way of Judaism and, for that matter, every religion and belief is one of difference, one from the other.

Put differently, there are Muslim fundamentalist who, according to me, do strange things. I think that certain Christians also do strange things in the name of their doctrine, and; the Jews? The media participate in creating and reinforcing public perception, shape norms, even stereotypes.

At first, what became known as the Arab Spring was portrayed as a fundamentalist revolt. Soon after this hot “spring” had begun and once juxtaposed against human rights abuses we experienced a shift in western public opinion. At the time of writing Syria was unfolding – from what is reported the Syrian spring is burning hot.

In the West people whisper about cultural oppression in the Middle East and the rest of Asia. Oppression of this ilk exists in the West too, lest we forget. In Afghanistan, it is a woman who seeks appointment against the highest office in the country. During the HardTalk interview Fawzia sounds almost as if she condoned, among others, that her mother was physically abused by her father.

Let us for a moment assume that the cultural revolution of women in Afghanistan becomes a reality. Will women there too have to catch up? Surely, Afghan women will have been previously disadvantaged after their “emancipation”? Women will then be able to, alongside men, go to school, drive motor cars, and get secular, real and senior jobs. Will this happen automatically, or will Afghanistan have to create Affirmative Action policies; maybe have a Broad Based Women Empowerment Act promulgated, and; each year amend this Act, introduce policing components and ensure that the Act is enforced in perpetuity? Why not, after all this is what currently happens in South Africa? I tried to establish whether women in Afghanistan are also in the majority, like the beneficiaries of Affirmative action in South Africa and Malaysia.

Part Two

Does the allegation of discrimination, the creation of norms and later the application of stereotypes make for the West to think that its definition of freedom is most fair and most right?

Much as this is a hard / difficult question to digest, the need to create an atmosphere of freedom is found in the exercise of choice. After all, the need for self-determination is prevalent with every homogeneous group throughout history – this being one of the reasons for the creation of self-governing territories, federal, multi-cultural and independent countries. Those who have no perceived freedom, can they exercise choice, and if so, are they then not free? Having lived in the West all of my life I am conditioned to believe that freedom is represented by democracy.  Is democracy the only right system of government?

South Africa is a constitutional democratic republic. The majority imposes its will on those who subscribe to their broad ideology. Those who share the ideology, but who from time to time disagree are swamped into submission by the democratic practice. Those who do not share the ideology are permanently swamped and ruled to be out of order. Democracy says, “Tough if you are in the minority…” However, even the minority and those who disagree from time to time have to pay taxes according to the same formulae.

… in the speech that evening the South African President said, “On economic transformation, we are amending the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act. The amendments amongst other things, establish a statutory Commission that would deal with non-compliance and circumvention.” (sic) - State of the Nation Address, 2012.

Past South African Prime Ministers and later Presidents used similar wording to reinforce separate development. Separate development resulted in millions of people being relocated, certain beaches being declared in favour of one group; the segregation of train compartments and; the introduction of what were referred to as the Immorality Act - and many more.

The then Prime Ministers, Presidents and Cabinet Ministers dressed in black and wore matching black hats – the original men in black; one, wore a hat that was slightly too small for his head, or maybe that was my child perception. Given the size of his ears I was convinced that he could hear a lot better than his colleagues – but was he listening? Then there was no “so cute” chuckle. Instead, a solid wag of the index finger warned about an uprising from the marauding masses who share my complexion would be suppressed with “deadly force” - a term recently resurrected by the modern day South African Police Commissioner, General Bheki Cele (now suspended and facing charges of corruption). However, the hearing does not want to listen to the finding that led to these charges – how bizarre.

The empirical value of what was said then seems to contain little difference with what is said today. The Afrikaans metaphor comes to mind, “al dra ‘n aap ‘n goue ring bly hy nog ‘n lelike ding” loose translation (even if the ape wears a gold ring he remains an ugly thing). Whilst on this subject, why do politicians laugh with their mouths wide open? I notice that some have beautiful molars whilst most lack wisdom teeth.

Contentious as it may sound, but Broad Based Black Economic Empowerment, Affirmative Action and the New Apartheid all broadly have the same meaning - discrimination. Some argue that B³E² is positive discrimination applied in favour of the majority and geared blatantly to curtail a minority irrespective of the skill and ability equation.  How is this positive?

"We are not anti-white, we are against white supremacy … we have condemned racialism no matter by whom it is professed", said Nelson Mandela, in the defence statement during the Treason Trial, 1961, and;

"Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another…" said Nelson Mandela at the instant of his Inaugural Address, after taking the national oath as the first democratically elected President of the Republic of South Africa, Pretoria 09 May 1994.

Because people earn dignity through being employed I wish to develop a conclusion to this opinion piece by a focus on employment, its role, its need and the current practice.

EMPLOYMENT: A business intent on growing, creating more jobs and remaining in business can do so only if the properly skilled and trained persons are in its employ – this is ongoing. Businesses that focus on the employ of poor, under-skilled, inexperienced and untrained persons for appointment against positions that require ability do not stay in business, and as a result the jobs in such businesses are not sustainable.  Sadly, this principle is not applicable in South African government departments. The Public Works Department is on record about the poor state of its service as brought about by poorly skilled employees.  After repeatedly experiencing bad service from the Department of Home Affairs I wrote to a Deputy Director General.  She replied, twice, on the same day.  I was pleasantly surprised and said so. However, try to call any Government Department and count yourself lucky if the telephone is answered, irrespective of whether the answer is courteous and whether the person answering is helpful.

The notion of employees being the greatest asset in a business is a myth. Only good employees are assets; poor employees ruin businesses. Does affirmative action and its practice ensure that the best employees are employed; does affirmative action ensure that the would be employees equip themselves in order to be measure for being the best, and is affirmative action fair, or is it fair like apartheid was fair?

Ability is superior to skin colour. Skin colour is not going to grow businesses and create jobs.  Why do we need stringent legislation to exclude less than 9% of the population?  Business growth and the resultant job creation alone should make it possible to accommodate all persons who have potential, skill, ability and who are willing to work. I know of no country that has successfully replaced the ownership of its economy with a previously excluded group through affirmative policies as applied in South Africa. It is argued that Malaysia is such country. Examine that example and derive your own interpretation.

Government enforcement to employ persons drawn from the majority group is discriminating – it forges the experience warned against in the words of President Mandela “…will we again experience the oppression of one by another…"(sic)

We cannot fix what happened in the past, but we can challenge people to rise to the occasion by equipping themselves through striving for better than the best of their ability.  Does affirmative action do this, or does affirmative action create mediocrity by enabling entitlement to prevail?

Our labour laws are stringent. It is complex for those who have limited experience and training in the employment law discipline. The complexity of procedures to correct poor performance at work supports mediocrity, particularly for small businesses.

An alternative would be to ensure that selection panels are constituted and efficiently regulated. We need a recruitment code that is legislated in greater detail than the current inclusion. Only the best candidates should secure positions of choice. The demographic composition within which the business operates should be a factor in terms of who is employed, but skill and ability should be greater determinants.

If business fails to employ the best candidates, then in time business will fail. We need sustainable jobs in South Africa. Creating jobs with no sustainability programme in place is not being productive.  South Africa is small country.  Can South Africa afford not to have a sound, sturdy and high quality yielding Business Sector, and; can South Africa afford this largely incompetent and embarrassing Public Sector?

Sometimes the body is limp… other times the mind is limp.