In Limbo

The president of South Africa, mr. jacob zuma, was due to give his State of the Nation Address (SONA) tomorrow night in the Houses of Parliament in Cape Town. But, for a few weeks already, there’ve been protests about this as he is seen as not fit to address Parliament and the nation. He has about 780 criminal charges against him and he has not yet seen his day in court. He is wily. And has friends in high places. For the last few years, there have been fisticuffs and blood on the floor during jacob zuma’s annual SONA and only when the EFF (Economic Freedom Front) has been thrown out for protesting and other opposition parties have walked out in disgust at behaviour unbecoming, has some sort of order been restored and he was able to proceed in his egoistic waffle.

He is NOT fit to address the nation. It seems that many in his inner circle also feel this way. Yesterday, it was announced that the SONA has been postponed. And, it was noted yesterday, there would an urgent meeting of the NEC (National Executive Committee) today to decide the way forward, given the postponement of SONA.  We took this to mean that zuma would be urged to step down and measures would be taken to ensure a smooth transition. Today, it was announced that the NEC had decided it was NOT going to meet and that the deputy president, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa (also ANC president) and zuma were in meetings today in ‘constructive talks’.

 We do not know what is going on. We do NOT want zuma to go the way of Mugabe (ex pres of Zimbabwe) who has retained much of his ill gotten wealth and creature comforts. Plus pension etc etc etc – Zuma must face his charges or face impeachment – which is also on the cards. He has NOT upheld our constitution. He must NOT get amnesty. He must NOT avoid prosecution. He has brought our country to the brink. Zillions of Rands (our currency) has left the country illegally, lining the purses of criminals.

So we wait, for the next stage of the unfolding ongoing drama. Hence feeling in limbo. A vacuum –

I can’t help but reflect that what is happening in our country is happening just about everywhere else. We have to keep standing up against the rotten apples, the snakes in the grass who believe that because they hold high office, are above the law.

The protests of the ordinary people is what is needed, at all times. It is thanks to them as well as our judiciary system and the constitution, that many in high office are falling like dominoes and being held accountable for their crimes. It is refreshing to see –

There is never a dull moment in our country. I feel hopeful, and inspired that right is might and will ultimately be victorious. The day zuma leaves office is the day I believe the rain will fall where it is needed, bringing relief to the drought not only to the land but also to where we’ve felt the drought in our hearts, minds and souls.  

Thank you for reading. Do you feel hopeful, in spite of all to the contrary, that right will ultimately prevail?

 

51 Comments on In Limbo

  1. I weep for poor South Africa–all of Africa, actually. Such a gorgeous continent with so many resources and incredible people. It deserves so much better than these miserable, murdering dictators.

    Sometimes hope is the only thing that keeps me going. I’m Canadian, but the news of Trump destroying more of the US every day upset and depressed me so much I had to turn away from it. I have to hope that somehow, some day, great people will stand up against this oppression and destruction, and win.

    • Thanks for coming by Holli – amazing, wonderfully, last Wed (Valentine’s Day) zuma resigned! Well, I mean, he HAD to – so things in SA are certainly looking brighter. The new man on the block will bring much needed change, though we are concerned about some of the inner circle of crooks that must be got rid of pronto. Otherwise, we’ll continue protesting as we always have. People and organisations have and do stand up!

  2. Hope is all we seem to have these days, dear Susan. While the U.S. situation does not seem as dire as yours, I wonder if it’s just a matter of time. Keep hope and faith. The rains will return and one day, good men will once again run the country. It’s the waiting that’s the hardest part. In the meantime, we just need to keep making our voices heard through writing, and practice the art of not reacting which for me means not using the “f” word every other minute when I’m talking about politics!

    • Reminds me of T.S. Eliot’s quartet East Coker –

      I said to my soul, be still, and wait without hope
      ——–
      ——–
      But the faith and the love and the hope are all in the waiting.
      —–
      ——

      So, yes, the waiting – thanks Pam for coming by.
      The F word is very expressive; we use all the time as we wait for our pres to go, or for him to forced out. Reacting for sure – 🙂

  3. The ego is such a destructive force. I still believe that justice will prevail. It may not happen in the way the majority would like to see, but it will happen.
    Prayers for healing to your land Susan.

    • The ego can be destructive when it rules and does not give way I agree Liz. And, the majority is often not right anyway –

      Well, I am being contrary – this is my day for utter contrariness. Thank you for coming by and for your prayers for healing of our land. Each bit helps of this I have no contrary view 🙂

  5. I always feel hopeful and that has nothing to do with the world, it has a lot to do how I look at the world. Thank you for your post!

  6. Hi Susan, reading this post made me feel sad; and its not only in your country, here in our country too there are similar issues, might is right, the powerful ones get more power and the poor suffer, burdened with all types of taxes and the problems of unemployment, and atrocities against women continues …. every day there is one news that will speak about suicide and rape and violence…. I like the image which you have placed at the end… yes we all hope for the better and from our part, do little bit for peace to prevail.. love and hugs to you:) sending vibes of peace and harmony…

    • Yes, it is sad making I agree Genevieve that the so-called leaders do so little to make the lives of those who most need help, better. We have exactly the same problems. The fat cats get fatter, feeding at the trough … we also do our little bit when and where we can. Peace, harmony to your country … have a great weekend xx

  7. I’m so sorry, Susan. Thank you for educating me about what’s happening in SA. Our government actions are like dealing with constant deaths in the family. They keep us grieving and guessing and afraid. The Dark Repressed side of human nature is in full view and seems acceptable to most (in the United States, the president’s poll numbers are going up which is impossible to believe but true–because people were given a few tax breaks which we’ll pay for later). Money talks. We will hold hands around the globe and keep praying and protesting for this shadow eruption to end in a positive way. I love your image of the drought, although I know drought is bringing suffering to many. Even if the land is not dry here, we are in symbolic need of cleansing, healing rain.

    • Thanks Elaine – my sympathies too with the US. How strange it is, but maybe not. Very unsettling. Though maybe a call for each one of us to face the shadow. Cleansing healing rain – bring it on! Have a lovely weekend and thank you for coming by!

  8. We seldom hear about the shanigans in South Africa here in the States because of our own turmoil. It’s hard to find leadership with integrity, leadership roles filled as they are often with “the rotten apples.”

    Yes, I think right will ultimately prevail even though I have no idea when. Otherwise, I would descend into despair.

    • Thanks Marian – I’m only too aware of trump – and I’m afraid I do despair. Might is right seems to be the mantra – mine’s bigger than yours, that sort of mentality. Change WILL come for the better, but golly, it’s taking its time ..

  9. Oh, Susan. What a situation for your country. How dreadful to have a criminal in command. I do hope that rain falls and washes away all your country’s ills. It won’t happen overnight, but I hope the day is coming.

  10. Dear Susan, Thank you for sharing real news (as opposed to more fake news) about what’s happening politically in your country. Those initial sugar-coated promises (like narcissists offer during the “love-bombing” stage early in relationships) have promptly disappeared and the monsters emerged! I can’t help but sense somehow there’s a profound connection between these dark, greedy, corrupt officials and the present arid, heart-breaking drought.

    Difficult as your words were to read, they are essential reading! I agree with the idea that perhaps South Africa is facing Mandela’s long shadow. Even so, limbo is a midpoint, a halfway place, and the only thing we can be sure of limbo is that things do move, and usually fast. As an eternal optimist I’m hopeful many will see this two-eyed story (one inner, one outer) for what it truly is and find ways to further integrate their own shadows. In soul, Deborah.

    • Thank you dear Deborah .. it’s a thought that once things start moving, that the energy of filling the vacuum happens fast … nature abhorring a vacuum, that sort of thing. That’s the normal course of events.

      Once rain starts falling where it’s needed, it will be bountiful. (We’re getting plenty of it up here on the highveld. The thunder and lightning storms speak loudly, and for us). But I like to think that rain will drown out all the filthy greedy politicians once and for all, and that zuma and his minions will get their come-uppance. Whether they get it in parliament or in the courts, they’ll get what they deserve. I better end before I say things I regret … but thank you for your thoughtful soulful comment. Susan.

  12. In reading your post, I feel that I am reading about my country, the U.S. too…. Greed, Power, Hate, It seems that Good and Caring has departed our world. I can only hope that our President will be impeached, but there is too much corruption and idiocy in our government. Evidently, our politicians did not read their history books to learn about the bad that exists in politics. I’m PRAYING for the entire world! We need all the help we can get.

    • Good and caring will never depart from our world Gwynn! Too many pols have no idea what it means, this is clear, but you can still be caring as you are. Each person can keep their eye on the ball … xx

  13. Hi Susan – life isn’t easy being part of the populace … I remember thinking in 2000 and for a few years afterwards things and life can only get better for everyone … sadly power and greed take over – I don’t see how people can hold their heads up … it bewilders me and how other leaders can agree to let things go I fail to understand …

    I am watching SA and hearing the news regularly … I seem to be hooked into BBC World News – the BBC doesn’t give me the best … but way better than so many … it’s interesting being on another continent.

    Cheers Hilary

    • Thanks Hilary – it’s extraordinary how power corrupts and how initial promises about improving the lives of all, especially those of the downtrodden are forgotten as greed and corruption take over, with seeming ease. At least we can be aware and not part of it.

      Are you still exercising your muscles shovelling snow? Hope all very well with you. xx Susan

      • Hiya … no, interestingly my brother had snow for his birthday yesterday (7th) in the UK, while here last year they had snow on the 7th … we had a 90th family birthday here. I can see the snow on the ‘mini mountains’ nearby, while two family members have gone up the island to ski today so the snow is still around – and lots in the interior of the continent. We have had loads of rain though … which I know is desperately needed down in CT – cheers Hilary

          • Hiya – life is interesting! Ups and downs … difficult adjusting – though I hope in the long term it was the right decision to make … cheers H

  14. Tricky question that you ask. I’m a somewhat cynical optimist so I’d say that: “Yes I do believe right will prevail… but that it might not be in our lifetimes.” In the meantime, keep on, keeping on– as they say.

    • Thanks Ally Bean – I had to smile at your being a ‘cynical optimist’. I’ve regarded myself as either a pessimistic optimist and/or an optimistic pessimist. So, meantime, chop wood, carry water –

  15. I wish I could heal the planet of these diseases that we find in governments led by the corrupt. I feel so frustrated that my health does not allow me to peacefully protest as I did in my younger days. I feel sadness and disappointment for those who overlook the criminal acts in favor of one or two issues that a negative politician encourages. And I feel anger toward those who support the anti democratic policies of leaders such as Zuma and Trump. Some of those supporters are my loved ones. I refuse to discuss anything concerning government with them. I pray they will observe the facts and admit the dangers.

    Oh well! I will continue to support the positive as long and as well as I am able. Great writing, as usual, Susan.

    • Thanks Marsha for coming by. We feel pretty much the same way about our corrupt politicians. It’s awful, those feelings of being ‘…frustrated … sadness and disappointment …’. But, as you say, continue to support the positive. On the radio, the anchor is mentioning the parallels between trump and zuma … I’m listening with half an ear ..

  16. Thank you for this on-the-ground information. Living here in Canada, we are inundated with information about Trump’s behavior and tend not to be as aware of what’s unfolding on the other side of the world. I appreciate knowing, at this delicate time, what you are holding.

  17. I have been following developments Susan ( can’t not!) There is this curious balance that has always been the South African psyche between truly good and principled people in the judiciary and some others elsewhere, and the utterly corrupt pocket lining of Zuma, Guptas et al. Before Mandela that was true too, brave Jewish judiciary in prison for defending him, employing him too. Helen Suzman and others.This is not often mentioned now.

    Perhaps Mandela’s bright light brought inevitable dark shadow?

    I hope he is toppled without amnesty. Mugabe’s gentle easing end was a betrayal of the Zimbabweans but then his successor was in ‘blood stepped in so far that….returning were as tedious as go o’er,”

    • Many have fought the good fight in our history Philippa, too often overlooked. I was thinking the other day about van Zyl Slabbert in the earlier days and the Progressive Party –

      Now that’s an interesting thought – that we’re facing Mr. Mandela’s dark shadow.

      Zimbabwe and mugabe’s successor – well, I don’t know what to say. Maybe mugabe and zuma are in discussion right now … thank you for your comment.

  18. This is the time to which Winston Churchill referred when he said, “Democracy is messy”. There’s no accounting for the will of the people. Wouldn’t we all love a benevolent dictator who did What Was Right for the people. Sigh.

  19. I feel hopeful that God will prevail in the end. For a season though we will be facing worsening times as long as humankind think they have all of the answers.

    I wish you and your nation well.

    Lee
    Tossing It Out

    • Thanks Arlee. We sure don’t have all the answers and never had – divine intervention seems necessary ..
      I wish you and the US well, thank you for your good wishes.

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