RIP Tintswalo

Dear Mr Ramaphosa 

 

I am very sorry to put a damper on your inspirational and eloquent State of the Nation address.

 

I tried to rush this message through to you earlier but was hampered by load shedding, which I know will end very soon. I thought that I should let you know that Tintswalo was tragically killed this morning. She was caught in a crossfire,   during a cash- in- transit heist, carried out by some heavily tattooed villains. 

The ambulance carrying her to a private hospital  was delayed by some strikers,  who blocked the road.  they also tried to pull her out of the ambulance. Perhaps she would have been better off being taken to a public hospital. Yes, she might have waited all day, but apart from that, I am sure that the service would have been excellent, as per the example that you gave last night. By the way, please do let us know where this unique public hospital is. It has to be the exception of exceptions. But these things do happen. 

After all, I've heard of Home Affairs officials who can organise documents with nice names like Lerato Ndlovu in a remarkably short time. Not sure whether it's a free service.

Incidentally, Mr Cele was right to focus on alcohol and illegal smoking during the lockdown period. The villains were reported to have been chugging on beers and chain smoking while discharging their AK47s and other weapons.  Loud gqom music almost drowned out the gunfire (I think he warned us about gqom, too).

This leaves Tintswalo's elderly parents in a rather difficult situation.  Of course the magnificent ten rand increase in their pensions is a great help.  But, as you know, prices tend to rise almost daily. I think that had they been receiving the R350 grant as well, they might have been able to open a flourishing ice cream or sandwich shop business.

Tintswalo's  mother collapsed while queuing for the third full day at Home Affairs to replace her lost identity document (lost during a minor mugging).This was after the ever-helpful security person told her that there is no special queue for seniors. "This is not SARS", he added helpfully. She has had some difficulty accessing various services as a result.  

Nevertheless, one hopes that the ever helpful Home Affairs officials will be able to assist her.  I know that they did a great job for some newly arrived immigrants from neighboring states.  Perhaps her local councillor can help as well, when he's not at a budget function or SALGA training to improve service delivery.

She is due to pay her fourth visit to her local clinic today and hopes to finally get to see a doctor or nurse. The clinic has been rather busy providing excellent services to a flood of investors from various countries. (Great how we attract investors across, or under, the border fences).

Tintswalo's  father is a graduate who paid his own way in the days before NSFAS. Unfortunately, despite Mr Patel's sterling efforts in trade and industry, his sector shrank dramatically and he was retrenched. His age was against his finding other employment. Well, you and I know that even young people can find employment only by divine intervention or that of relatives or blessers in government. For older people, the gates of the economy are firmly shut. I'm sure that, in the Uhuru to come that you spoke of last night, Mr Patel or some other energetic, innovative comrade will address that.

Mr Cele might want to attend Tintswalo's memorial service (may her soul rest in peace). It would be a great comfort to hear him speak of population growth, alcohol and other matters that give us hope in the darkest times. 

Sir, you yourself, if not occupied with some think tank or task group, might want to take the opportunity to campai.., pardon, comfort us. 

In addition to conveying the sad news, I wished to congratulate you on a confident, upbeat performance at the SONA.

So good to know that, apart from crime and corruption run wild, depthless bumbling, incompetence and waste, we are doing well. Mr Gigaba did once prophesy that "we gonna be alright".

One cannot but admire the unquenchable optimism of your Party. 

'Dreams are good friends', says the song. 

Particularly when you have alienated all others.

Tips for the blogger gratefully accepted 

Capitec Bank, South Africa  

1378565477

O Tichmann 

+27 833970723