It's been a rollercoaster of a month here in our not so sunny corner of Durbs. Up the hill is def a good few degrees colder than Morningside, and even worse, the peculiar reverse thermo-dynamics of our bunker mean that the house is a good 5 degrees cooler than outside, with our bedroom doing a very good impression of a fridge freezer. Luckily the Tarts gave me an electric blanket for my birthday last year and I have perfected the art of leaving the blanket on full blast for just the right amount of time i.e. one notch down from spontaneous combustion.
There's also been the usual sort of nonsense in the South African news - the type that wants to make you emigrate on the 1st plane out. First we had the whole 'Spear' debacle, which I must admit made me chuckle until I realised how seriously everyone else was taking it. Talk about generating the type of publicity you want to avoid! As usual, the strong arm of the law won and democracy, freedom of speech and a free press were the ultimate victims!
Another high profile politician charged with corruption made it into hospital rather than prison. More politicians face corruption charges in the Manase Report. Carte Blanche literally runs the same story every week, just changing the names and locations. It's no wonder I tune into Sky News. South African news is just too damn depressing.
Next came the Durban taxi bosses dictating the laws of the land to the Durban police force. Again it would be hilarious if it wasn't true. At least it hasn't lasted with someone sensible being put in charge - temporarily at least. And for a short time we will all be treated to traffic law enforcement taxi style. On my way home from a Tarty dinner last Thursday I saw this new traffic policy in action. Umgeni Road had been turned into one big road block with every driver being breathalysed. What was so telling was the 20 to 30 bakkies and cars parked up, drivers waiting to be charged.
And that brings me to what I think is the fundamental problem with society in SA today. No-one thinks the rules of the land (or road) apply to them. Drink driving is rife. People run red lights, speed, talk on their phone while driving. It's not just the taxis! If no one cares about the small stuff, it’s no wonder people don't care about the big stuff!
Rant over - my fingers are too cold to continue. But at least there is one good thing about being in SA - I don't have to put up with the hype surrounding the European football and a certain team making it into the quarter finals. OK, life here isn't too bad after all!
