Publications
Partners
I was completely amazed at the mixed bag of comments to my previous upload on News24: Farewell Rainbow Nation. (More than 20,000 “hits” at last count.) I’ve decided to respond.
Good morning, South Africans! Comment allez-vous?
I hope you are enjoying the start of winter in your country, and that you will not suffer from influenza, or infection, or viruses, or bedbugs, or respiratory tract infections, or colds, or visits to your home by Jehovah’s Witnesses, or corrupt politicians in the coming months.
Unfortunately, things being what they are in your godforsaken country, I cannot guarantee your wellbeing. Quel sera, sera, mes amis.
For many decades, winter has traditionally been the time for rioting, striking, burning, and public violence in South Africa. Remember the old struggle song by Jacob and the Mshini Wammers: “Now is the Winter of our Discontent made Glorious Summer by Burning Tyres and Other Garbage?” Well, it’s that time of the year again. Enjoy.
But, back to business. Or as we say in French: “Kom, lat ons aangat mêrrie biesagheit.”
The comments to my previous article serves as proof of what I have long suspected: South Africans, for the most part, are a deeply divided, aggressive, and obnoxious nation.
I have always maintained that the motto on the South African Coat of Arms: “!ke e: /xarra //ke,” which is supposed to mean: “diverse people unite,” is a gross misrepresentation of the truth at grassroots level.
Unless South Africans can get their act together, and pretty damn quick, they will become exactly like the empty begging bowls in the kitchens of the rest of Africa.
The comments to my article clearly illustrate that South Africans are a widely diverse bunch – divided by race, gender, sex, level of education, pregnancy, marital status, ethnic and social origin, colour, xenophobia, sexual orientation, age, paganism, disability, religion, veganism, conscience, belief, culture, language, and birth.
And some other stuff as well...
But, being civilised, we won’t be discussing the poo-throwers and non-poo-throwers today.
I would have liked to highlight some of the more caustic and racist comments to my original article, but unfortunately, they’ve already been deleted by the delightfully vigilant N24 moderators.
Now here’s the thing: I don’t mind if South Africans disagree with me or my article, but the way in which they bicker and attack ONE ANOTHER, is utterly beyond contempt. Obviously they have no respect or affection for their fellow countrymen and women. So much for your !ke e: /xarra //ke.
Well, mes amis, I leave you to your own devices. Keep well, and, as we say in French: “Hou die blinkkant bo, en die stinkkant toe. Adieu.”
Sacha Coquelin
