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www.thevillagenews.co.za
FROM THE EDITOR
10 March 2021
A world in one community
As we approach the anniversary of President Ramaphosa’s declaration of a State of Disaster and we look back on the past year, most of us may want to add several exclamation marks to that designation. Let’s face it, it has probably been the toughest year most of us will have experienced in our lifetimes. As the Coronavirus spread like wildfire through the land, a new virus followed on its heels: increasing poverty, food insecurity, loss of jobs, loss of life and loss of hope.
But, because nothing is ever all bad, we have also experienced wonderful acts of kindness and concern for the welfare of others.
cines in record time is an example of humankind’s consistent ability to rise to the occasion when conditions call for it.
We have witnessed firsthand the dedication of health care workers and demonstrated our own adaptability by learning new and often better ways of functioning. But mostly, we have become more aware of the importance to us of other people and of nature. In a word, there is much to be grateful for.
Of course, changing the condition of the entire world is a daunting prospect, enough to send most of us crawling back into our shells in the hope that no one will notice us.
The development of effective vac-
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There are both wealth and poverty, hunger and plenty, a pristine natural environment and proliferating slums, flourishing businesses and unemployment, high-quality educational institutions and ECD centres operating from shacks.
Proudly South African has as its slogan ‘A world in one country’. But what if we were to drill down to a more manageable variation, ‘A world in one community’. We have every-
So what if we were able to concentrate, not on the world, country or even province, but just on our own backyard? What if we each had the
will to focus on just one action that would make a difference to our community? We have a wealth of resources, whether in the form of talent and skills, or time and compassion. Simple deeds, nothing major, could change the life of our entire community in a breathtaking way. It doesn’t need to hit the headlines, it’s a person-to-person thing, recognizing that the need in others is the same as the need in ourselves. This is the good NEWS – Ed.
From the ridiculous to the... ridiculous
By Hélène Truter
PUBLISHING EDITOR T: 083 700 3319
thing here in microcosm that the rest of the country has, sometimes in greater abundance.
I
'm staring at the blank screen. I have to find a topic for my column. My helpful editor reminds me that soon it will be the 1st lockdown anniversary. Whoopee. Ironically, just after Human Rights' Day. And just before Freedom Day. Alas, I have nothing profound to utter about either day. Somewhere way back in my muddled brain a little light bulb flickers feebly – come on, you can come up with a witty line. Nope. Total darkness descends like Eskom’s Stage 4. Is it coincidence that blackouts and cancer are measured in stages? Back up, sister. This is getting a tad depressing. Ah, but this is life. And we're only human. Apparently. So yes, people will moan. They will try to swindle you. Even mid-pandemic. Your family will annoy you. Your politicians will annoy you even more. And you will lose your temper and throw stuff at the TV. Your husband will turn off the news and you will be angry because you want to see it, because it's important to know just how crappy life is right now. I've just re-read that sentence and realised how ridiculous it sounds. But life is pretty ridiculous at the moment. The whole world is panicking and closing their borders and getting paranoid about
the South African Variant. (Which apparently isn't exclusively ours, but no one's listening.) Actually everyone's getting paranoid about everything. Period. And that's where we have an advantage. If you were born here, you've become accustomed to life being ridiculous. There's even a Facebook Page entitled Only in Africa. I would advise you not to visit it, pretty depressing stuff. However, as I was trawling the internet I did pick up a couple of titbits about Africa that made me smile. Wryly, but a smile nonetheless.
another interesting and very true titbit about the Milnerton market where you will find a stall selling second-hand dentures. I'm not sure if this is covered by your medical aid. And now for the sublime... in no particular order: We have Nando’s, Siya Kolisi, Mrs Balls’ Chutney, Pieter-Dirk Uys, Nelson Mandela, Bishop Desmond Tutu. (The latter right on our doorstep, in fact.) The CAT scan: developed by a South African. The richest man in the world: South African. The best tennis player in the world is half South African (okay, quarter, kind of – no need to split hairs, I'm on a positive roll here). Gift of the Givers: founded by a South African doctor. Cape Town: the best city in the world. JRR Tolkien: born in South Africa (yes, the guy who wrote Lord of the Rings). The Kreepy Krauly was invented in Springs. The best rugby team in the world is South African. And will probably remain so for a long, long time because no one wants to come here to play. Or allow us to go there. Always an upside, ladies and gents.
Seen on the back of a Bakkie: I'm not drunk, I'm just avoiding potholes. Do not arrest. I could have told him he has nothing to worry about, the police have far more important things to do. Like Bheki Cele holding court at a media conference informing the media that they should stop accusing him of seeking media attention. Is it just me or is there a little bit of logic lacking there? Let me take you on a quick tour of the ridiculous. Sign on a lamp post: Spouse Removal. With a cellphone number nogal. (No, I'm not giving you the number.) As we near a farm stall: Pure Horney for Sale. Makes perfect sense actually. First you remove the spouse, then you get yourself some horney. At the same farm stall there's a special on Slightly used toilet rolls. Moving swiftly along.
Because of Covid, local holidays have become dirt cheap. For a small monthly fee (well, at least less than my monthly insurance payment) I can book and pay off a world cruise in 24 months' time. And if the unions get their way we'll have even more public holidays. And finally, a note to the parents from a desperate school master: Dear Parents, we are no longer receiving chickens as school fees.
Things get even more interesting once you hit the farm roads: Trespassers will be prostituted; Close gate. Please don't steal it. Fair enough. And my own personal favourite: Bumpy road, please remove dentures. Which brings me to
And there we go: Back to the ridiculous. Welcome to Africa.
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