The recent formation of the Government of National Unity (GNU) must not be confused with a hairy animal called a gnu (genus connochaetes or wildebeest).
This is an uncomfortable confusion of very unlike bedfellows forced now to share the same bed.
Gnus in the wilderness are among the most specialised and successful African herbivores and are dominant in plains ecosystems.
They are unlike the common politician and are used to working together in large numbers in their quest to find food and to protect each other against any dangers. They are ordered and choose their leaders wisely.
Their leaders look pretty similar to the rest of the herd but may differ in stature and wisdom.
When gnus eat, they all eat together, and one will not find a fat gnu in the company of thin gnus.
With so many glaring differences in the parties making up our now hairy GNU, we, the common people who voted them into power, are hoping they find common ground and solve the many seemingly insurmountable problems facing SA.
With the Phala Phala situation not resolved and a little matter of the findings of the Zondo Commission not being pursued, the main actors in our pantomime are in a bit of a pickle.
Throw in the fact that neither supports the same sides in the Russia vs Ukraine and Palestine vs Israel conflicts, and we have another problem to solve.
While I personally believe our GNU will not make up a suitable herd or necessarily drink at the same watering hole, I do have hopes that they will, like their hairy namesakes, begin taking care of their youth and the old crocks in the herd.
An article written by Bongani Hans in the Independent on Saturday (June 15, 2024) caught my attention, and I urge our newly formed GNU to put everything else on ice and solve this problem first.
I quote from the article: “While South Africa produces enough food to feed its entire population, millions of tons of food are discarded every day because government regulations prevent businesses from donating it if it is damaged or just expired and still fit for consumption.”
So, while the GNU swears in their new leader and looks forward to a never-ending feast on the gravy train, 23% of children in our country live in food poverty and are 50% more likely to suffer from life-threatening malnutrition.
Those that survive and make it into our school system will be subjected to inferior education, meaning that if and when they reach Grade 4, only half will be able to read for meaning.
Throw in that more than 1 000 schools still have pit toilets and that at least one learner per month will lose their life falling into these pits.
Those that survive and pass their Grade 12 with more than 30% can join the 50% of already unemployed youth in our beloved country.
In conclusion, I admit to not having any scientific knowledge of food quality but am perplexed by a quote by Andy du Plessis, FoodForward Managing Director, who said: “FoodForward is against the donation of food left over on dining tables for health reasons. But there is still use for excess food.”
Hopefully, our new GNU leaders take some of these points seriously and decide to turn the GNU around and create the UNG (United National Government) against food poverty.
Yours in GNULAND.
BEN HARTSHORNE
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