When watching our teams play abroad I’m saddened. It’s not about ignorant referees transforming epic battles into damp squibs. However, this does become flinging scatter cushions at the plasma screen, awakening hibernating French expletives.
Honte, quel idiot!
I’m alluding to the spectacle of thousands of ex-patriots, with jerseys and flags, supporting their home teams.
And what is particularly sad is seeing these longing souls unabashedly shedding tears during the singing of their anthem.
I grope for the tissues.
OK, so we call them traitors, cowards who can’t take the heat, leaving us to face the political inferno. Truth is, most of them had been forced to seek a way to make ends meet. Among them scientists, doctors, nurses, bankers, accountants, and tradespeople.
Also among them are university students with degrees in professions that can contribute to a vibrant economy.
The reason is palpable. It’s thanks to a government refusing to see the nation as a rainbow, embarking on a course of action that ignores the contribution of other colours. Through unfair retrenchments, firing and discrimination, good people are having to seek pastures elsewhere. In most cases landing up in countries foreign to their way of life and who will never be accepted by their new compatriots.
They also have to find a means of properly educating their children, as here the system has crumbled into chaos and led by weak leaders. What chance do scholars stand if the simple matter of supplying textbooks hasn’t been addressed?
Against their will they go through the agony of emigrating, leaving behind loved ones, friends and an exciting and stimulating mix of people own to South Africa.
Blame it on a political leadership bereft of vision and whose aim is solely to accommodate one sector. And it hasn’t yet caught on that by persisting with this course of action the whole country suffers.
Wouldn’t it be great if president Zuma becomes an astute referee, blowing the whistle on corruption, nepotism and incompetence? And unlike the present bunch and blind TMOs, red card the real culprits who inflict body blows on a work force with painful labour policies.
And invite back ex-patriots, allowing them to compete fairly for jobs. They’ll jump at the chance and catch the first plane home.
Daydreaming? Probably.
But thankfully the next rugby action takes place here, so no tissues, scatter cushions and reasons to swear. Unless the referee is a Frenchman, of course.
cliffb@telkomsa.net
www.cliffsclout.wordpress.com
