COPE - A new agenda to crash and burn?

Like politics – business is not known to be a pretty affair. A fair share of us must be familiar with the phrase ‘politics is a dirty business’. Do you think it exists merely because someone thought it would be great to string those words together?

Look at the impasse that Congress of the People (COPE) now finds itself in. There are numerous ‘leaders’, all to varying degrees seeking control over the party which has currently been sucked dry of any spark it may have had before. Could this be a phase before the death of the party or is this a mere stumbling block which will soon be overcome?

Those within COPE need to ask themselves, if the elections were a month from today, would they still perform as well as they did last year?

Party president Mosiuoa Lekota and deputy Mbhazima Shilowa are clearly not fans of one another. I wish I could document a blow by blow account of their rocky relationship, but I probably don’t even know the half of it.

In brief: Lekota accused Mbhazima of possibly fiddling with money. A debate over whether or not to hold an elective conference became news. Mbhazima and camp lodged a vote of no confidence against Lekota, which the court later nullified.

What a circus! I know of clowns at children’s parties, but I think COPE took this one too literally. This is politics – some may have to be dropped along the way – deal with it. A swift exit may not be all bad, Mr Lekota and camp. It seems you are no longer wanted.

Politics: you fight, and then those not aligned with you find reason to plot revenge – and sometimes your subsequent downfall. It is not always that you find the strength to rise again. One wonders if there is some kind of addiction to control here or if it is just the nature of politics (as we know it).

Parliamentary leader Mvume Dandala has recently added his name to the list of those who saw some kind of light and took a stance to resign. Reverend, you know that the church doors are always open. Perhaps politics is not your niche?

As for options available to COPE, it’s simple. Those who run things – whoever they may be – can continue on their path to destructing the party (as they seem to be doing) or they can redeem themselves and restore the ‘hope’ of their supporters.

In 1989, the aftermath of the recession left American property mogul Donald Trump battling to meet loan repayments. Times were tough. Money in its purest form was not common commodity. It was not a pretty time for business. Had he held a checklist, it would most likely read: business bankruptcy, check; personal bankruptcy, highly possible. It was at a point in his life where he could have closed shop and moved on to something else. He didn’t – look at him now.

Cope is the official opposition in five of South Africa’s nine provinces, which means it has a responsibility to those who voted for it. If COPE were a house it would be built by cement mixed with fizzy drinks sold at snacks stands at the circus. The party obviously benefited mostly from impulse voters, but that does not mean it is hopeless.

When it was launched on December 16 2008, COPE looked like it could be God’s answer to – among others – those who were not keen on being ruled by current South African president Jacob Zuma. Any current affairs follower knows he is a man no stranger to controversy – be it to do with allegations of rape or corruption. Sorry to say this, but right now Zuma must be grinning with satisfaction, saying “in your face!”

What happens from hereon? COPE, please assist.

The vuvuzela really must be annoying

The vuvuzela really must be annoying. Comedian Trevor Noah described it on Twitter as being "obnoxious" and "loud" - going as far as likening it to wayward ANC Youth League president Julius Malema.

There have been resounding calls to have it banned from World Cup matches. Popular goal-netters like Portugal's Cristiano Ronaldo and Argentina's Lionel Messi have expressed displeasure at the metre-long instrument South Africans love so much. FIFA president Sepp Blatter has (thankfuly) somewhat expressed support for the vuvuzela, also through Twitter.

Teams have blasted the 'plastic trumpet' - claiming that it hampers their communication on the field. Some audiologists have said that the vuvuzela has the potential to cause permanent hearing loss over time.

Self-appointed critics of the vuvuzela need to respect the fact that this is South Africa, and when soccer is concerned, the vuvuzela is culture. Blowing it is the country's signature celebration.

Let's face it, the vast majority of those too quick to criticise and judge the vuvuzela have never even blown one. Their lips, it seems, open to criticise them - not to examine them. They are so narrow minded that they deprive themselves of the infectious and joyous blowing locals are so fond of. Ai, deal with it.

Patriotism – is it really a wonderful thing?

Patriotism is loosely described as a love of and a devotion to one’s country.

It seems South African citizens who have been gripped by football fever ahead of what I hope will be remembered as 'the best Soccer World Cup ever' cannot say or ‘display’ patriotism enough.

Like many others, I admit that I love my country dearly. I would go as far as donning a gold and green badge with the words "proudly South African".

Ask me, however, if I would kill for it. Ask me if I would risk my life or die for it. As much as I say I love South Africa, I will without hesitation say no. Killing someone else's family in the name of patriotism? I'd much rather order take aways.

Academics and creatives, it seems, are not so keen on this devotion to one's country. Or is it just my observation?

Here are some interesting quotes on patriotism:

I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him. ~Abraham Lincoln.

Our country is not the only thing to which we owe our allegiance. It is also owed to justice and to humanity. Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong. ~James Bryce.

Heroism on command, senseless violence, and all the loathsome nonsense that goes by the name of patriotism - how passionately I hate them! ~Albert Einstein.

I have no country to fight for; my country is the earth, and I am a citizen of the world. ~ Eugene V. Debs.

Today I envied South Africa

Writer's block was hellbent on having its way with me, but I decided to publish this either way:

Today I envied South Africa

I witnessed her enthused children honor her in earnest. They unashamedly blasted their plastic trumpets – vuvuzelas as they passionately label them.

Many others preferred silence. Nevertheless, they were beaming with unprecedented pride and joy. Adoring crowds within her offspring received the rest of the world for their winter stay down south.

The world's greatest stars had landed, there to illustrate their ball tricks on her groomed grounds.

Her own representatives donned gold and green. Their recent wins had indisputably captured the support of their inconsistent country.

I observed that swollen lips were really no stranger to her many children. A handful of whom you would incorrectly assume blew vuvuzelas for a living. Dusk, dawn and in between, vuvuzelas sounded. In all areas – rural, remote, urban, and wealthy – they still sounded.

Her children's minds were palpably stuck on a winning atmosphere, as euphoria clung to the roof of their mouths. Their waving flags shook critics who doubted her capability. She exceeded expectations and stood tall against disapproval; momentarily deafening pesky pessimists.

Her children had breathed new meaning to the word ‘patriotism'. The Soccer World Cup had arrived in South Africa, and they said they were ‘feeling it'. While I, the rest of the world, watched and envied South Africa.