This is why Jacob Zuma will never be a leading, first world, politician…

On the 8th of May, 2006, Jacob Zuma was acquitted of rape charges. Fezeka Kuzwayo accused him of rape. He openly admitted to the sexual conduct, and claimed that the sex was consensual. The sexual encounter took place at his private residence.

The public was disgusted with Zuma’s hypocrisy. After all, he claimed to support the fight against HIV/AIDS and admitted to unprotected sex (and the famous, deep-cleansing, shower)

While Fezeka was young, and voluptuous, many felt that Jacob could have done better

The 1st of February saw the revelation that President Jacob Zuma has fathered a love-child with Sonono Khoza, daughter of Irvin Khoza. I am not sure where conception took place, but I assume it was somewhere comfortable…and private

The public was outraged with this revelation, and Zuma’s hypocrisy. After all, the president supports the campaign to eliminate promiscuity

While Jacob Zuma is a charismatic leader and dynamic personality, many felt that Sonono could have done better

Our polygamous president faces yet another sex scandal.

And some people were (surprisingly) surprised.

It took several days, but here is what President Jacob Zuma had to say about the latest ‘affair’:

''I deeply regret the pain that I have caused to my family, the ANC, the alliance and South Africans in general. 'I also acknowledge and understand the reaction of many South Africans.''

In January, 1998, news broke of Bill Clinton’s liaisons with Monica Lewinsky. She claimed that there were 9 encounters. All of them took place in the White House. Most of them in the Oval Office

The news broke on the 17th January 1998. Bill Clinton denied all the allegations, famously saying:

“Now, I have to go back to work on my State of the Union speech. And I worked on it until pretty late last night. But I want to say one thing to the American people. I want you to listen to me. I'm going to say this again: I did not have sexual relations with that woman, Miss Lewinsky. I never told anybody to lie, not a single time; never. These allegations are false. And I need to go back to work for the American people. Thank you”

Seven months later, on the 17th of August 1998, Bill Clinton finally admitted to the “improper physical relationship” with Monica Lewinsky.

While Monica was an astute, bright woman, many felt that Bill could have done better

American politicians are famous for sex scandals and hypocrisy. Some examples:

Congressman Bob Barr of Georgia introduced the ‘Defense of Marriage Act”, only to be photographed licking whipped cream off strippers at his inaugural party.

President Warren G Harding had repeated sexual encounters with a woman 30 years his junior – in a White House closet. He also fathered a child with her

Senator Strom Thurmond supported segregation and opposed civil right, but still got his 16 year old African American maid pregnant. He ran for president in 1948, and was a senator for 47 years.

Silvio Berlusconi, Italy’s Prime Minister, has been accused of ‘gallivanting’ with young women, including a teenager. Photographs of parties at his villa include pictures of nude women.

Berlusconi has remained defiant. In June 2009, he told Italians (and the world):

“This is how I am. I’m not going to change a thing. If they like me this way, they like me this way.”

Berlusconi’s female companions are mostly young, attractive women, including models. Many feel that Sergio Berlusconi has done very well

In addition to the United States, and Italy, Australia has also had its share of sex scandals. Just last year, in Australia, South Australian Premier Mike Rann was accused of having sex with a former Parliament House barmaid – on his Parliament House desk.

Many South Africans are appalled at Jacob Zuma's behaviour. And they should be.

But, many South Africans also use Jacob Zuma's bahaviour to legitimise their lack of faith in South Africa, in general, and his presidency, in particular.

I feel that Jacob Zuma should deny the allegations (at least for a few days).

I believe Jacob Zuma should lie about the sexual misconduct (at least for seven months).

I advise that Jacob Zuma conducts his lascivious behaviour in the hallways of the Union Buildings, on the desk of his Presdential Office, on the Tuinhuis kitchen floor

Perhaps then, he would be viewed as a worthy, first-world politician.

And perhaps then, the doomsdayer South African public and the naysayer South African media would give him a break

Great start to 2010 for South African film industry

Skin nominated for Best Foreign Film at the NAACP Awards

(With thanks to the National Film and Video Foundation)

Skin, a true-life story about South Africa¹s Sandra Laing has been nominated for Best Foreign Film award at the NAACP Image Awards, while Sophie Okonedo, who plays the role of Sandra Laing in the film, has been nominated for the Outstanding Actress award.

Celebrating outstanding achievements and performances of people of colour in the arts, and individuals and groups that promote social justice through their creative endevours, the NAACP Awards will be held on Friday 26 February 2010 at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.

Skin follows Sandra¹s thirty-year old journey from rejection to acceptance, betrayal to reconciliation, as she struggles to define her place in a changing world - and triumphs against all odds. The film tells the story of Sandra Laing (Sophie Okonedo), a coloured woman born to white parents (Sam Neill, Alice Krige) who were unaware of their black ancestory. Though classified as white, Sandra struggles to be accepted by the white community.

Sandra ultimately falls in love with a black man and together they have two kids.

Skin is due for release in South Africa on Friday 22 January 2010. The film will be screened at the following cinemas: Cape Town - V&A Waterfront Cinema Nouveau and Cavendish Nouveau; Durban - Gateway Nouveau; Johannesburg - Bedford View Nouveau, Cedar Square Nouveau, East Rand Mall (Ster-Kinekor), Rosebank Nouveau, Maponya Mall (Ster-Kinekor), Westgate (Ster-Kinekor), and Pretoria - Brooklyn Nouveau, Wonderpark (Ster-Kinekor). For tickets visit www.sterkinekor.com during the week of release.

Skin had its World Premiere at the 2008 Toronto Film Festival in September 2008, and premiered to rave reviews in the United States late 2009. Since its international exhibitions Skin has won over 12 Festival awards including the Audience Award for Best Film at the Santa Barbara Film festival, Best Narrative and Best Jury Awards at the Pan African Film Festival, Audience Award at the Afrika Film Festival, Belgium , Audience Award at the AFI Dallas, Best Feature Film at the Palm Beach International Film Festival 2009, and Circle Audience Award at the Film Fest DC - Washington DC.

Starring Award-winning Sophie Okonedo, Sam Neill, Alice Krige, Tony Kgoroge and Ella Ramangwane, Skin is produced by Anthony Fabian, Genevieve Hofmeyr and Margaret Matheson, and directed by Anthony Fabian. The film’s release in South Africa is supported by the National Film and Video Foundation (NFVF), The History Channel, Ster-Kinekor, United Independent Pictures (UIP), and Mail & Guardian.

For more information on Skin visit http://www.skinthemovie.net/

Do not bet against the Rand in 2010

South Africa’s economy will face a challenging 2010. While South Africa is surviving the international economic disasters of the past 18 months, it has not remained unscathed.


Many indicators point to a positive 2010. The ‘science’ of Economics is (in my opinion) first and foremost a social science, but there are a number of positive comments and reports I would like to refer to.

In the 28 December 2009 edition of the Bangkok Post, Michael Preiss, Senior Investment Adviser at Standard Chartered Private Bank, wrote the following: “Borrowing US dollars to invest in Brazilian real made a 40% net/net return, the best carry trade of 2009, followed by South African rand at 33%”

Considering that the year ahead will see a less volatile Rand, returns like those noted above should not be expected. However, I believe that the outlook for the Rand, and the South African economy, should not be underestimated.

On the 21st of December, the South African Reserve Bank’s released its latest leading indictor – showing a rise at a faster pace in October than in September. The leading indictor combines a range of measures, including, among others, manufacturing hours worked, building plans approved and vehicles sold. Michael Belby of the Business Day writes: ”After a patchy start to the year, the trend has been solidly upwards”. Commenting on SARB’s leading indictor, Elna Moolman, group economist at Barnard Jacobs Mellet said “At the beginning of the year, when it started to improve, it was mostly financial market components that boosted it, but by now it is quite broad based. That is very encouraging”.

South Africa’s inflation rate is expected to ease in 2010. According to the University of Stellenbosch's Bureau for Economic Research, CPI will moderate to 5.7 percent in 2010, down from 7.2 percent in 2009. In the 4th quarter of 2009, there was in increase in Rand Merchant Bank’s Bureau of Economic Research business confidence index. JP van der Merwe of TradeInvestSA highlights that this is the first increase since the 3rd quarter of 2009.

The IMF’s World Economic Outlook was released in October. The IMF predicts growth of 1.7% for the SA economy in 2010. This is a modest forecast, and while it may seem like a gloomy prediction by the IMF, JP van der Merwe notes the IMF’s praise of South Africa for its fiscal policy, future growth prospects and the resilience of South Africa’s banking sector.

The 2010 ‘africapractice survey’ was released on the 15th of December. It is a survey of business leaders across Africa. All respondents expected foreign direct investment to rise in 2010. 95% of business leaders expected to grow their businesses in the year ahead. And while many respondents were optimistic about the FIFA World Cup, most felt that the benefits would be limited to South Africa.

I support Jacob Zuma’s words:

"The year 2010 must be the year in which for the first time, we all communicate positive messages about our country to the world – the successes and possibilities. We have to put the culture of negativity behind us."

South Africa’s economy will face a challenging 2010.

Despite, and in spite of, these challenges, all bets are on

Oy, I forgot to ask my late grandfathers this most important question!

Two weeks ago, Sunday the 13th December 2009, my kids and I went to do some toy shopping. We were close to the Ellis Park Stadium/Coca-Cola Park. While in the area, I tried to find an entrance to the rugby stadium grounds. I wanted to show my kids where I had watched two Confederation Cup soccer games, and where some World Cup soccer games would be played in 2010.

Our attempt to gain entry to the stadium grounds was unsuccessful. I could have easily scaled a fence, but trespassing is illegal. (And I did not want my kids to experience a bread and water dinner in the local police holding cells. After all, my daughter is five, and my son, four. A bit too young for that kind of adventure).

We passed the Ellis Park public swimming pool. We stopped at the entrance. I wanted to show the kids the large pool which I had not seen since my school days. The pool was open for business, but we had no plans to go swimming. We asked the cashier and guard at the front if we could see the pool. They said that we could, but only from the entrance.

I must say, it looked inviting. The crystal clear water of the olympic size pool (and the 2 smaller pools) would surely cool us off. It was 30 degrees celsius. But alas, we had not planned to go swimming, and we did not bring swimming clothes.

The kids started begging: "Please, can we stay and swim? Pleeeeaase. Can we stay?". Over and over. (Can any parent out there relate to that?)

And I kept telling them: "We did not bring costumes. We will come back other times"

And I kept telling myself: "Don't feel bad. You are not breaking them. 'No' is also an answer"

Then I recalled that we had our gym bag in the car. So, I said that we would check the gym bag ,and if there were swimming shorts for us all, we could stay a while.

And I started to regret the offer

We found 3 pairs of shorts, as well as towels. We parked the car in the parking lot and made our way back to the cashier. R8 for adults, R5 for children. The female cashier and the female guard were so friendly to the kids (and me). What a warm welcome to the facility!

The Ellis Park pool facility is pretty large. Spacious. Open. We walked to the change-rooms. They were old, but extremely clean. We then found a spot on the grandstands, left our bag, and made our way to the main pool.

The water was great.

There were approximately 30 people using the facility. There are three pools in use, and the grounds are spacious and open. If there had been 200 people, it still would have felt empty

The kids had a blast.....all three of us. It was wonderful. People were friendly, the staff was helpful, the facilities were clean and the lifeguards were on duty. The atmosphere was carnival-like, with so much fun and laughter. People were tanning, or swimming, or picnicking. We were fifteen minutes from home, and it felt like we had left town, enjoying our summer holidays somewhere 'else'.

As with most of my memorable experiences lately, I relate them to family, friends, readers of my blog.... and others.

I expected some questions. And I had the answers.

Surely people would ask:

• Was it expensive?
• Was the place clean?
• Was the water warm?
• Was the water clean?
• Were there life-guards?
• Was it full?
• Are the bathrooms clean?
• Can you bring in food?
• Can you buy food?
• Is there shade?

It turned out, that kind of information is not too important, or interesting....(apparently).

Most people asked exactly the same (apparently very important) question:

• Was it very "black"?

It got me thinking.

My mother's father arrived in South African in the 1930's, after leaving Germany. He was lucky. Many of his family were deported to Poland, only later to be confined to the Krakow ghetto, only later to be gassed at Auschwitz.

My father's father was from Lithuania. He travelled, and arrived in South Africa, alone, at 14 years old. He had left a region of the world (and a life) that was regularly 'interrupted' by pogroms, murder, beatings and destruction.

Both of my grandfathers seldom discussed what they had experienced, the family and friends that were murdered and the lives they had to rebuild in South Africa.

They hardly ever discussed Germany, or Lithuania...'the home country'

And I asked few questions about 'the home country'

But I do know there is one question I did not need to ask:

• Was it very "white"?

Now I know where my tax money goes...And I'm proud to be South African

On Tuesday of this week, a stomach bug got the better of me. I had not had a bug for a while, but all the symptoms followed the usual '24 hour bug' features

I started to improve on Wednesday afternoon, and felt pretty good. But, on Thursday morning, one particular, never-experienced-before, symptom, was ever present.

After searching for information (i.e. consulting with Doctor Google) I grew slightly neurotic, and wanted to know whether I should be concerned or not. I wanted to know if I should just relax, be going for blood tests, or if I should check myself into a hospital.

To get that kind of feedback, and have the (allocated) 5 minute, R300, discussion with my GP, would have meant:

• The usual 45 minute wait (despite actually making an appointment)
• The advice to take a course of R350 anti-biotics (just in case, ofcourse)
• The insistence of having R500 blood tests (because there is always some kick-back for referrals)

After company cutbacks, I was retrenched. I am unemployed and on the job market, (CV available on request). So, in order to get the kind of feedback I needed (to be concerned or not to be concerned), I decided to visit the public clinic in Wendywood, a suburb not too far from our home.

I did not know what to expect.

Actually, I did know what to expect. After all, the press is full of nightmare stories regarding South Africa's public health system.

I drove into the parking lot and had an initial chat with the security guard. He was eager to assist me, and pointed me in the right direction. I walked into the small, single-story building, expecting to see 100 or more, sick and dying, poverty-stricken South Africans. I expected to see dirt and grime. I expected to experience poor service, from ill-trained staff. I expected to see medical waste including used needles

But, I was willing to give it a try.

My first impression was: Hey, did they know I was coming? Why is this place spotless? They must have something up their sleeves. There is no way a public clinic has a floor I could eat off of!

So, I reckoned, I am now here, let me wait and see how long it takes for me to be seen. And sadly, I was disappointed. I hate waiting in lines. I'm impatient. And having one/1/a single person in front of me was a battle I had to overcome. Having to wait a full five minutes to be seen by the medical practitioner.....that was a tough one for me.... but I got through it

I was called into the consultation room.

The nightmare was about to begin

Everything I had read about and heard about was about to be realised. Every fear that is discussed at our middle to upper class dinner tables, was about to manifest itself. Every criticism of South Africa and its public health system was about to be justified.

I was attended to by two ladies. I explained everything that had happened over the past two days, and told them my concerns. They knew exactly what I was talking about. They reassured me that I had nothing to worry about. They explained what was happening, and said it I must take a course of anti-biotics. They said the symptoms would be gone within 2 days. They also said that if that was not the case, I should go for blood tests.

They were understanding. They were friendly. They were professional. They did not limit my time to 5 minutes, in order to get the next patient/client/R300 through the door

And they gave me a course or anti-biotics

And all the fears came crashing down.

I am not naive, blind or ill-informed about South Africa's public health system. I know there are many problems. And I am fearful of those issues. But I am no longer fearful of public healthcare in general.

I am also not naive about private healthcare. I am still fearful of being checked into a certain Northern suburbs private clinic, 'known' for its unusually high patient mortality rate. I am also fearful of the fraud and dodgy dealings of some supposedly far-superior private GP's and specialists. Yet, I am not fearful of private healthcare in general

Later that same day, I met with a doctor friend of mine, Peter. He's a specialist, and while he does mainly private work, he has worked (and still does) within the public health system. He was not at all surprised by my experience. And, after explaining what my symptoms were, my concerns, what the ladies had said, what they had done for me, and the advice to take a course of anti-biotics he said "I would have done, and advised, exactly as they did"

I can say, without hesitation, that I will be using my local public clinic again.

And I can say without hesitation, that not a single person within my social circle, ever will

And that is their loss

'Invictus' - South Africa remains undefeated

Last week saw the international release of Clint Eastwood's latest movie, 'Invictus' (which means undefeated or unconquerable). It tells the Story of South Africa's 1995 Rugby World Cup win, along with the fascinating socio-political backdrop of the time. It stars Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela, and Matt Damon as Francois Pienaar. Morgan Freeman may very well win an Oscar for this role.
The budget for the film was close to $US 60mil (That is over R420mil). And while the leading actors were Americans, most of the cast, production and content are South African. The film is another amazing show-case for South Africa, and is being (mostly) well received. In keeping with the actual 1995 final, Ellis Park was used for the rugby scenes, as were many other South African locations and backdrops.

Here are some of the positive comments:

"Invictus is an amazing, true story. I saw the film at a press screening but I plan to see Invictus again with my family because I want my children to see a story about leadership" (Michelle Lamar of My Gloss)

"But at its most powerful, "Invictus" operates on another plane entirely, as a depiction of pluralism at its most dynamic, unruly and inspiring. Most films trace the transformation of an individual protagonist, as he or she embarks on a quest and emerges irrevocably changed. Here, that character is South Africa itself, as Mandela tries mightily to wrench a country riven by tribal division and racism into a future of healing and peace" (Anne Hornaday of The Washington Post)

"As another Oscar season kicks into gear, Clint Eastwood returns with his annual contribution to Hollywood's self-esteem, in this case a solidly uplifting historical drama about President Nelson Mandela and South Africa's bid to win the Rugby World Cup in 1995" (Tom Charity of CNN)

"In classic Clint Eastwood style, "Invictus" is a film that not only demonstrates Mandela's genius but Eastwood's as well" (Denny Wayman of Christian Post)

"Audiences in North America will walk out of the theatre on a high, touched by the scenes of blacks and whites hugging each other at South Africa's improbable triumph at the 1995 Rugby World Cup, inspired by Nelson Mandela himself" (The Globe and Mail)

"Clint Eastwood’s “Invictus” benefits from having the weight of history, the thrill of sport and a nuanced performance by Morgan Freeman as Nelson Mandela"(Melena Ryzik of New York Times' Carpetbagger)

"It's a crafty film, made in the conciliatory spirit of the statesman Eastwood sees in Mandela" (Michael Phillips of Chicago Tribune)

Jacob Zuma Superstar

This week's Time Magazine featured Jacob Zuma, the President of South Africa. His photo appeared on the front cover. The caption read 'The Surprising Promise of Jacob Zuma'. The main article, by Alex Perry, went on to say that Jacob Zuma is being surprisingly upfront and honest in acknowledging South Africa's problems. And even more surprising, he is tackling them. Alex Perry writes: "In his new government, Zuma began by promoting the good and sacking the bad.... Pravin Gordhan became Finance Minister...Zuma fired Hogan's predecessor at health, Manto Tshabalala Msimang...and former police chief Jackie Selebi, who is charged with corruption".

South Africa is getting so much press coverage. So much positive press coverage

But, what has changed in the past year?

Has our leadership changed to one that is less corrupt? Have we found new, highly valuable, natural resources? Have we won major international sporting events?

Leading up to the elections, many (Tarot-card reading) South Africans (unsuccessfully) predicted the imminent collapse of our beloved country. We were facing a future of certain darkness, with our African sun being blocked by the evil giant, Jacob Zuma

Months before the certainty of a Zuma leadership and the certain darkness it would bring, the Tarot-card readers had predicted another certainty of darkness. That earlier prediction of a future of certain darkness was less metaphorical, and a lot more literal, and was thanks to Eskom's inadequacy

Alex Perry of Time Magazine must be metaphorically, as well as literally, blind. Why can't he see the Zuma and Eskom darkness we are living in?

Apart from my retrenchment from work, we South Africans have not only come through recent crises, mostly unscathed. We are actually thriving.

Jacob Zuma is being praised. The number of tourists to South Africa is at an all time high, currently at approximately 9 million. South Africa is being featured, on a daily basis, on CNN, BBC, Al Jazeerah.

In 2010, South Africa will be the focus of the sporting world's attention. And while many of us may not even be sports fans, the evidence is clear: South Africa's commercial, tourism and entertainment industries are benefitting from all the positive, and extensive, exposure that our country is experiencing, and will experience in the near term future. A day does not go by when I don't see a good-news story about South Africa on one or all of the international news channels.

At the end of this week, the draw for the 2010 World Cup takes place in Cape Town. All the world's media will be there. As will international business leaders, sportsmen and sportswomen and famous actors and actresses.

South Africa is on the pages of many newspapers, on the covers of international sports magazines, in the theatres of international movie-houses, on the lead stories of international business news

South Africa is the place to be. And if you are South African, you should be proud that you are

So, back to my question: What has changed over the past year?

I believe, it's the world's perception of South Africa.

And I believe, it's time for us South Africans to make that change too

The Gravy-Train Revolutions

“South Africa's cabinet ministers are by law entitled to the jet-set lifestyle of the filthy rich” (The Times, Oct 17, 2009)

Why are these stories appearing so frequently? Should we panic? Should we be concerned?

At some point the ones with the power try to protect 'society', 'the State', 'the kingdom', 'the kingship', 'the elite', ‘the religion', 'communism'. Civil liberties slowly get eroded. The average human’s mind gets slowly undermined. The ‘we-know-better-than-you’ people with the power, start to ‘protect’ The Thing. (The Thing can be society/State/kingdom/elite/rich/greedy capitalists/religion/monarchy/Communism)

Gravy Trains replace the Ideal

Gravy Trains happened in ancient Egypt. They existed in Ancient Rome. They happened in Jewish Temple times and even in Stalinist Russia. Revolutions followed. Revolutions took place all through history. One happened in the United States in 2008. Another in Honduras in 2009.

At some point, the people/serfs/masses/poor/humans mobilise. And revolt. For justice. For freedom. For the public good. For the greater good. For the ideal. An ideal that got replaced by an elite, who’s goal is to protect themselves, or The Thing. At some point, people realize that they too have brains/souls/minds/requirements, and that these are not being met or realised. They realise that maintianing The Thing has replaced striving for The Ideal.

There will always be Gravy Trains. And there will always be Revolutions. Some revolutions are peaceful. Some are not. Jacob Zuma, as president, signals a start of the South African revolution. He, and his (we-understand-the-masses) cabinet, replaced former like-minded people, who subsequently became Gravy Train passengers.

And, as we see in the press, cabinet ministers and other Drivers of Liberty, are now becoming Gravy Train Passengers. And countries/states/organised religions/cultures need to recognise that they are all at some point in the Gravy Train cycle. Leadership needs to recognize this in themselves, and in others. Countries and cultures fight one another over being either too focused on civil-liberties or too focused on authoritarian control.

People, and societies, need to keep questioning themselves, their values, and, most importantly, their leadership. And this is indeed happening in South Africa. The mere fact that Gravy Trains are being exposed, is great for the country. It means we can hold people accountable. It means, we still have an ideal and a goal that we are trying to achieve.

It means that neither the public, nor the politicians, are able to claim ignorance.

Plausible deniability is impossible.

The ‘we-know-better-than-you’ people with the power, will fight to protect themselves. These are the rich/elite/king/State/Empire/politicians/landowners/bankers/religous leadership/capitalists/communists. And, they continue to tell us that they are fighting in/for our best interests. And, we believe them.After all, we need them. We are not as clever, humane, wise and Godly as they are, are we?

There will be a revolution in South Africa. Everybody knows what's going on. Society's capitalist greed, politically sponsored theft and white-collar crime, are all being exposed. We are all aware of these issues. Many of us contribute to these issues

All societies and cultures are in Gravy-Train cycles. South Africa's Gravy-Train Revolution will come. And when it comes, it will be mostly peaceful.

If we let it be

South Africa rocks

I am currently in Cape Town, South Africa. It’s almost 1am, Tuesday morning, and I am sitting in my hotel room, on the 19th floor of the Ritz hotel. I’m looking at the new Greenpoint stadium, and Cape Town city lights, and it’s all beautiful. I’ll be here for 4 days. The new Greenpoint stadium is one of the 2010, soccer stadiums/stadia. And the city is gearing up. There is construction and development. There are banners and billboards.

(Oy.... I hope I didn't breach any intellectual property laws by saying the words '2010', 'soccer' and 'stadium'.......... all in one week)


I flew down, with my kids, yesterday. The experience has been wonderful. The service at OR Tambo was efficient. The people we met, and who served us, were friendly. For example, as my son Caleb and I entered the men’s bathroom at OR Tambo, the cleaner stationed within the facilities said, in the most joyous of voices “Welcome to my office”. He had so much pride in his ‘crap’ job.

My kids, Noa Ariella and Caleb, were invited to help check in the luggage. Following their great work behind the counter, Kulula only had 7 complaints of lost luggage when we arrived in Cape Town* (see note at the end of this post).

We had a great airport experience followed by a wonderful flight. My kids, even got to do catch up on some in-flight work.

In Cape Town, the service has been equally great. And the hotel where I am staying, is packed with German, English, Japanese and Indian tourists. This hotel is also gearing up for 2010. It is going through a major refurbishment, and many signs display, proudly, that they will be providing official 2010 accomodation.

There are many international tourists staying here. They clearly see something special, unique, and enticing about South Africa

Why don’t we start doing the same thing?

South Africa has its issues. Crime, corrupt politicians, dodgy policemen.

So many ‘unique’ issues

Why can’t we have a ‘normal’ country? Why can’t we have a country where the president is not involved in unscrupulous sexual relations? Why can’t we be like America

Oh, in that sense, we are

Okay, why can’t we have a country where politicians are honourable, and conduct their financial dealings in an above-board manner? Why can’t we be like England

Oh, in that sense we are

Okay, why can’t we have a country where the police force is not dogged with corruption? Why can’t we be like Italy?

Oh, in that sense we are

Why can’t we have honest bankers? Why can’t we have moral business leaders? Why can’t we be like Germany, Switzerland or France

Oh, in that sense we are

Why can’t Johannesburg be a safe city? Why can’t we be safe, like the citizens of Los Angeles?

Oh, in that sense we are

Do I really need to go on to prove my point?

South Africa has so many issues. And so does everywhere else.

And South Africa has so much good. As does anywhere else

Let’s focus on all the good that this country has and gives us, in the same way we choose to focus on the good things that other countries possess.

We are too eager to ignore the crap that every other ‘great’ country has. Let’s also start ignoring our own crap for change

South Africa rocks




* For all you bitter South Africans……….that was only a joke. Relax Max