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It is almost a uniquely South African trait that we do everything differently. Sometimes almost comically so. Just as Karl Marx said: 'History repeats itself, first as tragedy, then as farce'.
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Without wanting to trivialise a national disaster, our latest insurrection was a perfect example of our topsy-turvy approach. in 'normal' regimes, an insurrection or coup is when people rise up against a dictator or political opponent. Only in South Africa would the coup be planned by a ruling party against a ruling party, ie the democratically-elected government. And this is a 'democratically-elected government', by the way, that is faithfully voted in with a huge majority every election cycle, whereafter the electorate immediately go on the rampage and protest violently against the very same government that they have just voted in.
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Another feature of our tragic recent convulsion, is that ordinary residents stood shoulder to shoulder to do the work of the police and the army, who were snoozing. Only in South Africa is the citizenry expected to protect the police.
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And another thing: the orgy of looting and burning destroyed billions of rands worth of consumer goods, manufacturing capacity, transport networks and food supply. And now the national gripe is about price-rises and shortages - those very businesses that got hit the hardest and are struggling to survive are now being accused of gouging, and those same poor people who justified their looting on the basis of their poverty are now complaining of shortages, unaffordability and additional hardships.
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There are sociologists who can explain our national proclivity for doing everything upside down, and there are many who try. But really, sometimes the only way to explain this country is another quote: 'There's nowt as queer as folk'.
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Being different is also what our Chronicle is about, so here is our latest crop of strange, interesting, eclectic and thought-provoking pieces. Enjoy.
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From one unemployed graduate to another: Sizoy’thola kanjani sihlez’ekhoneni?
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Being an unemployed graduate or active jobseeker can be discouraging and degrading, especially when it yields little to no results and you are faced with the economics of the stomach. However, the recent looting and vandalism of businesses in what has been dubbed a 'failed insurrection' in South Africa's Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal provinces is not the answer. South Africa’s unemployed, especially the youth, should move away from the employment-seeking mentality and come up with innovative ideas to become self-employed and build towards entrepreneurship, writes Buhle Ndweni.
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Giving to Charity is a Myth
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Do you give to charity? Do you donate money to Charities? Do you perform Charitable acts and give of your time to charities? Other than a little girl named Charity and in the title of several songs, Charity is a Myth. AaaaaaH – Do I hear you rebel and smugly think BS because you answered “Yes” to the questions? First, read on and you might change your mind. Charity doesn’t exist in its purest sense.
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Territorial wars – a balancing act
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Territorial wars – it's a balancing act is a video story of an incredible wildlife interaction witnessed and captured in Kruger National Park. It was early on a cold morning when the scene unfolded.
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Two female leopards squared off high above the ground in a dead tree in on the S1, Doispane Road from the Phabeni Gate.
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Watch the video to experience the story and visuals.
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Hats are part of our heritage
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Hats are part of our heritage as South Africans but I have only ever met one milliner. Her name is Dolly Sepel. I wrote a blog about her more than 10 years ago when I was living in Bez Valley. Her shop was around the corner from where I lived.
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Saving money for the unexpected with 10 simple tips
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Saving money is difficult, so many people are losing jobs and taking salary cuts. Here are 10 simple tips on how you can steer yourself to saving.
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How to use writing to create pictures in the reader’s mind
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Why use descriptive writing in the first place? Because your readers are busy. Distracted. Overwhelmed with messaging. And it’s incredibly hard for your writing to stand out amidst the clamour and racket.
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KIWI SURVIVAL UNDER THREAT
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The NZ government and communities are working together to stem the alarming decline in Kiwi the populstion.
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Coastal Radio SA- The Best Online Radio Station
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We are all going to need a little music in our lives over this apocalyptic era we find ourselves in. I met Martin Nel from Coastal Radio SA at a music gig in Durban. We realized quickly that we are both in media and have a passion for Durban and local brands. Therefore we can collaborate together on various events. …
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I never knew children came in blue
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Inspired by Sue de Groot’s column in the Sunday Times, I am writing about my own grammar gremlin findings of the past few days. In this period I read a lot of articles looking for answers to explain the looting, as I am sure many of you did. Sub-editor needed In one, I read about a blue childs toy – …
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Gin Cocktail - No 2 - Hope Clover Club
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The Hope Clover Club is a gin cocktail recipe made with fresh raspberries, syrup, lemon juice, Hope African Botanical Gin and egg white.
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