J' Accuse

Dear Fellow South Africans 

"And what dictators do

The elderly rubbish they talk" Auden

Mr Zuma is as pure as the driven snow. Dr Ace Magashule is Mr Clean on steroids. Julius Malema and friends are politicians of substance. The ANC is a movement worthy of respect. Carl Niehaus is a knight in shining armour, defending virtue and, especially, truth.

So much for the commercials. Now to some simple truths.

Mr Zuma and cronies could have prevented this disaster. But that would have taken real leadership. And that's rare in South Africa. Real leadership is selfless. It's for big people.

I cannot say whether Mr Zuma is innocent or guilty of the many charges hanging over his head. This I can say: for a man who protests his innocence, the kindest description of his behaviour is that it's been extraordinary, bizarre. For one so keen to face his accusers in a court of law. And the beans he has threatened to spill? Still on the trellis?

But the ANC is a collective. Let's share blame. Remember the  'pastor' who farts on his congregation. Dear fellow South Africans, if you cannot see how The Party has been doing the same in word and deed for years, stop reading here. Perhaps that's why the poet, e.e cummings wrote that:

 'a politician is an arse..'

In our context, that was kind. Even a..ses don't let their houses go up in flames around them. Oh, and it's not on the heads of the ANC only. 

 .

If a politician is an a..e, what does that make the placard waving, slogan chanting supporters? There is a simple test for whether a public representative is worthy of your vote. Has he / she built anything of value? Anything lasting. Whether it be tangible or in the hearts and minds of people. 

A humble schoolgirl without wealth or authority starts a feeding scheme that feeds over a hundred needy schoolchildren. You follow sleek, well-fed revolutionaries who have never had an original idea. Except to blame, burn and howl curses at the moon. Those who burn seldom build. 

Herein lies another simple truth. When the smoke of their abominable sacrifices to the gods of power, greed and hatred dissipates, who will be next? Such gods are insatiable. They devour their children.

To all you passionate supporters of dubious causes and even more dubious politicians, save that energy. Go build something. Like that schoolgirl. 

Yours in the struggle to distinguish between rational thought and brain farts.

Richard 

Tips for the blogger gratefully accepted 

Capitec Bank, South Africa  

1378565477

O Tichmann 

+27 833970723