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It is not difficult to see why people flocked to the 'diamond rush' in KZN this month - our lives are so uncertain right now that anything is possible. And when one can pick up a fortune out of the dirt - then it is possible to believe people can have a bit of Good Luck when all else seems dire.
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But the strange thing is that the government was very slow and careful before they pronounced the 'diamond rush' to be a collection of pretty but worthless stones. Anyone who knows anything about diamonds will know that they are only found in volcanic pipes of Kimberlite or along the beds of rivers that have worn away the volcanic pipes (and of course, the marine terraces where the rivers eventually wash the alluvial diamonds into the sea). Just on the evidence of the first photos, it was obvious that the geology, the dispersion, and the shape of the stones was all wrong. Instead of immediately declaring the diamonds extremely unlikely, the government instead warned people that any 'diamond' must be handed to the police. Yeah, right.
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The whole phenomenon of the diamond is fascinating - diamonds are not remotely rare, the supply is artificially manipulated to keep them precious, their value is more bound up with their processing and marketing than their actual physical worth. After all, a diamond is just a piece of charcoal that handled stress exceptionally well.
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We will all be called upon to handle extreme stress in the weeks ahead. Whether we emerge as diamonds or cinders depends on how we view the world and how we meet the challenges. To remind us that there is extraordinary beauty in the world (as our Safrea photographers keep reminding us) and looking at this pastiche that is a technological marvel, we can only be cheered by human ingenuity and capacity for wonder. And, of course, the Chronicle, with the same eclectic mix of serious and light-hearted information, news and musings. Enjoy.
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Author: blakegwilkinsgmail-com
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A methodology has emerged as government slowly moves to align under-performing State organisations with 'best practice'.
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Suicide for conscience sake - the story of Chow Kwai For
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Although a stranger in South Africa, and even a stranger within his own Chinese community, Chow’s story is a quintessentially South African story.
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How to overcome content shock in 2021
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What I’m about to say is unlikely to shock you.
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In 2018, we hit the point of “content shock”; i.e. the moment when more content is published each day than there are humans alive to consume it.
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82% of South Africans favour buying property
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During the first quarter of 2021, many South Africans felt buying property was a good investment due to favourable market conditions.
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Pride, Prejudice and a Porsche
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Not quite Jane Austen and not necessarily in that order … but possibly about manners and money.
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6 Useful benefits of activated charcoal
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Author: Delilah Nosworthy
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By Delilah Nosworthy
Did you know that activated charcoal has a few useful benefits? Studies reveal that it is frequently used as a gastrointestinal decontaminant for both humans and animals.
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One of the challenges that conservationists face is to change attitudes towards insects. One way to do so is through art.
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>>roaming>> From the Fifteenth District by Mavis Gallant
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The late Mavis Gallant’s stories offer a beguiling to read – they creep up on you slowly, until you find yourself devouring each mostly lengthy story, wanting more.
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Have you been attacked by your punctuation lately?
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Every day we merrily type away, not realising that every single stroke of the keyboard can upset someone. It is not only words that are worse than sticks and stones, but commas and brackets pack a mean punch too.
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