New Kid on the Block

So new kid on the block COPE (Congress of the People) popped into Durban for a chat to their supporters. They played it safe and ensconced themselves inside the Diakonia Centre where access is strictly controlled. In an airless room they told the converted how well things were going and to keep the faith. One Smuts Ngonyama who is their “Policy Director” will always be remembered for his “I did not struggle to be poor” comment. Pity that this once booming party now have their own internal struggle with who sits on top of the heap. Such a pity as it is the first really multiracial party that could have mass appeal to take on the ruling ANC. They also need to learn a thing or two about their backdrops. White screens do not work well with TV. Still I guess give them a few precious years and they might get their act together or just simply implode upon themselves as more members also claim they did not struggle to be poor!

Room with a view

What’s the good of having one of the best views in the Berg if you freeze to death at night. Just outside the town of Bulwer in the Drakensberg many people are wondering how they will repair their humble homes. No government relief, no emergency tents, no food parcels zilch. On Sunday last a violent storm swept the region casually tossing roofs hundreds of meters. Some of the traditional thatch survived but many steel roofs were simply blown away to end up in crumpled balls. Worse a mother and daughter were swept away in a raging torrent. The body of the mother was recovered but almost a week later the child was still to be found. No helicopters or major searches, just the anguish of not being able to bury ones family.