You've left us - by Simon Reader

It is both well given and documented that we have the ugliest female politicians in the world. We just manage to beat the likes of Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Cameroon, but we're at the top. There are teeth in the mouth of Ozzy Osbourne that I would rather be seen in public with.

It is both well given and documented that we have the ugliest female politicians in the world. We just manage to beat the likes of Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Ghana and Cameroon, but we're at the top. There are teeth in the mouth of Ozzy Osbourne that I would rather be seen in public with.

Something very sad happened last week. The government announced it's intention to start closing down municipal libraries. This government does have a nasty habit of shitting where it eats, much like the derelict buildings in downtime JHB where an empty lift shaft makes a nice toilet. But this is by far the most hurtful decision that these few idiots have made with regard to their policies on education. How can one justify such a decision? To create more balance toward other important civil services? Well, literacy is a human service that by the looks of things, our little education minister gangster has no idea of. The downward spiral will take a while; mainly because the facilitators will be so lazy. But the first step will probably involve the land being sold or auctioned. The books will then be sold at crazy prices and nothing, absolutely sweet bugger all will be donated to charities. Those who argue that should no better; if Thabo Mbeki refuses to help a nation ravaged by HIV / Aids, how can libraries expect sympathy?

We have an interesting situation suddenly; where as we once sat on the fence of international politics, we find ourselves at the orders of our President in Iraq, trying to use our diplomatic skill to appease Bush and Hussein. I fear that we may just be about to learn a massive lesson in international relations. Bugger that for a bunch of bananas! And they want to close our libraries?

These feminist, ungodly looking women are not the examples they should be. They've got too much hatred / racism to be able to display themselves in elegant and responsible ways. Someone told me the other day that our health minister's breath can only be equaled by sticking one's finger into the belly button of a dock worker, wiggling it around for 10 minutes and then smelling it.

But, as is the way with politics, they get their way. It looks like these women will receive diplomatic passes for this human shield idea. I don't know whether they are publicity-addicted or stupid or deluded but if they think, for one minute that Bush will even consider himself limited by this act then they are seriously mistaken. It's your classic, 'Here's 50 cents, go and phone someone who gives a fuck.'

Eskom, our electricity giant, has 'lent' Zimbabwe over R200 million. Our government, let it be said, has financed major irregularities in the various government departments of that country in recent years. R200 million? Think about that spent on our libraries? Makes the skin tingle. Of course, the supporters of this proposed madness all have very big words. Another ANC spokesperson was noted as saying, 'Of course this is very sad, but libraries are not a vital part of civil service anymore. There is the internet which is making a big difference.' And he's right. The internet is making a difference but only a difference to those who can afford it. Exclusive Books, undoubtedly South Africa's greatest franchise, has recently rocketed it's prices, much to the dismay of the public. So if you put the two together - the fact that our libraries are being scrapped and the punitive import duties that we are charged upon books, one could be excused for thinking that this government is making a concerted effort to keep it's people stupid; steering them away from arguably the greatest source of ideas.

Eskom, our electricity giant, has 'lent' Zimbabwe over R200 million. Our government, let it be said, has financed major irregularities in the various government departments of that country in recent years. R200 million? Think about that spent on our libraries? Makes the skin tingle. Of course, the supporters of this proposed madness all have very big words. Another ANC spokesperson was noted as saying, 'Of course this is very sad, but libraries are not a vital part of civil service anymore. There is the internet which is making a big difference.' And he's right. The internet is making a difference but only a difference to those who can afford it. Exclusive Books, undoubtedly South Africa's greatest franchise, has recently rocketed it's prices, much to the dismay of the public. So if you put the two together - the fact that our libraries are being scrapped and the punitive import duties that we are charged upon books, one could be excused for thinking that this government is making a concerted effort to keep it's people stupid; steering them away from arguably the greatest source of ideas.

We really need to celebrate the existence of libraries. Unlike some other African counties that are already dead, we have the immediate capacity to implement 'stretch' systems whereby the use of libraries are not restricted to towns or suburbs. This example has worked very well in Spain, Norway and New Zealand. But alas, according to the same ANC spokesperson, 'libraries represent the 'pre-web' education precipitation program'. 'Precipitation?' My, that's a big word for an 11 year old. But that is if the government really, really wanted to instill a culture of competent literacy. They do get what they want, bear in mind. These five female sub-humans get to go to Iraq for what I can only describe as an attractive offer to get their brains blown out in public and the arms deal has been meticulously successful in stealing from innocent people. Never, ever think that African politicians are completely incompetent - couldn't be further from the truth.

It's their way - The African Way - what suits me needs to suit 42 million other people.

Across the road from me is a small deli, run by three black waiters. If you have to ask Ismael, the youngest of the waiters, about the budget speech that took place yesterday, he would shake his head. 'Politics fail the people and then politicians destroy them.' The politicians have finally left the people, sorry, their people. The people who triumphed at their ascension, only to be disappointed by the various cover-ups. They don't communicate and are taking steps everyday to ignore the massive need of education and health. Isn't it nice to hear Tony Yengeni's philosophy, taken from Bryce Courtenay's 'A recipe for dreaming' (something he did not credit). 'When you are skating on thin ice, you might as well be tap dancing.' That quote, when I read it in 1994, had a clear reference to relationships between people. Love, not politics. When you want something, you needn't sweat the small stuff. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

And if you don't get what you want, you become the stronger for it. But that wonderful compensation, when you help yourself immeasurably by a determined and complete absence of fear is only applicable to one of those qualities.