It has been with some interest that I have tried to keep track of what is happening in Zimbabwe. The contender, Empty Handed Guy, seems to have had every prospect of defeating the incumbent, Robber Grab-it-all McGrubby. What thoroughly impressed me though, was McGrubby's inauguration when he took the vow of office, promising to uphold the laws the land, and shoved it in his back pocket. One more thunderous acclamation of African democracy!

Of even greater interest however, has been the wishy-washiness of the South African president, Totally Imbecile, who has at least had the political savvy not to say too much, but has equally not had the courage to take a stand. One gets the smelliest suspicion that he is taking notes.

It is also fascinating that McGrubby drew on the Zimbabwe's colonial past to rally support. This is 22 years after the colonials fled south to the last great white colony. Again, the question arises, is this going to be the political rhetoric in South Africa for the next quarter of a century as well? To see McGrubby and Imbecile embracing with ludicrous joviality as the latter arrived in Harare was to be expected, but given the anti-colonial, anti- anything anti-African rhetoric that has dominated the looting of Zimbabwe, it was surprising to see the President and the Robber being offered flower necklaces to wear. Besides adding to the circus atmosphere, it raised the question of which African culture gave rise this practice!

African Presidents making fools of themselves ... again.

19 March 2002

Dion Marc Delport

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