Elderly, Revolutionary Rubbish

 How did we get into such a mess?

People are concerned that the president may go because of a unique sofa upholstery experiment. They are terrified that what will follow will make the darkness of Mordor (Lord Of The Rings) look like a Durban summer sunrise. Orcs salivate.

How did we get here?

First the audacious lie

The turning of the blind eye

The poison by and by

Orwell understood how the liars, frauds and tinpot dictators use language: 

'Some animals are more equal than others'

'Four legs good, two legs better'

'Newspeak, thoughtcrime, unthink'

"The elderly rubbish they talk", wrote Auden, of dictators. 

Here's a guide to 'elderly rubbish' in South Africa - a glossary of terms:

Comrade - someone in your party that you will probably stick a knife into someday

Patriot - all-embracing term which can include oxygen thieves, liars, common or garden thieves

Racism - useful one-size-fits-all label for anyone with counterrevolutionary or white tendencies, their policies, values, family, friends, pets and possessions.

Revolutionary - describes all beliefs, words, actions and possessions of those fortunate enough to belong to a revolutionary organization. One may have revolutionary condoms, for example. Whether anything revolutionary actually happens is beside the point and is a preoccupation only of racist, right-wingers.

Our People - people that one may manipulate, lie to and defraud  - all for their own good.

Unafrican - whatever does not suit one's narrative or purposes at a specific time. This may shift as the tectonic plates are said to shift.

The Struggle - initially, the struggle for freedom and democracy. Now, a useful concept to dine out on. Used similarly to 'abracadabra' and 'open sesame.

Corrupt - used to describe any rival, who may or may not be as corrupt, more so or less so than oneself.

The Masses - same meaning as 'our people' just with a revolutionary flavour and a touch of contempt.

Stratcom - any communication in conflict with the pure, biltong-textured, revolutionary version.

Counterrevolutionaries - usually white-tendencied, people who dare hold opposing views to the self-evident truths held dear by comrades.

Whites - see 'White Walkers' in Game Of Thrones. Sinister, mysterious, with Marvel-like superpowers.

Van Riebeeck - powerful spirit-being behind all crime, corruption, concupiscence  and greed in South Africa. A Pale Side equivalent of the Dark Side in Star Wars.

Radical Economic Transformation  (RET) - a nebulous statement of intent, out of which has come nothing radical or transformative to date. Can be used as a meditative chant.

We tolerated the lies, turned a blind eye to the elephant taking a dump in the room, and now, only a massive amputation will save us from  the flow of poison.

This is the unpalatable, unafrican,  counterrevolutionary truth. 

The truth nevertheless.

Tips for the blogger gratefully accepted 

Capitec Bank, South Africa  

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O Tichmann 

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