Mbeki

The President of South Africa was forced to resign over the weekend. I didn't hear Mbeki's speech, but I did hear the Secretary General of the ANC make the announcement. He wasn't very convincing. It seemed like he was dodging questions and giving the typical bland responses one expects from a politician. It also seemed like the press corp were not exactly well known within the press conference. Perhaps I've been watching too much West Wing. Perhaps the people involved were simply not used to calling on the press. But surely asking 'the guy in the orange t-shirt after the lady over there' is not the most professional manner in which to address the press. Moreover it shows that hte moderator was really not sure over who she was giving the microphone too - actually the sound quality was so appalling I don't think there were microphones. I didn't hear any foreign press either, but that could be due to the lack of microphones. Surely it is sensible for government to be aware of who they are giving voice to - not in order to control it necessarily, although that certainly happens, but because being aware of who is speaking because they represent, or claim to in any case, the public sphere and the people in all their diversity within that sphere.
The press here, it seems, tend to speak in the same direction - they don't all say the same thing - but diversity of opinion and a good old fashioned dust-up between different perspectives within the fourth estate doesn't seem to occur regularly.
Anyway, the President has been recalled and so now we can expect a new one to be appointed over the next few days. Interesting times - a Chinese curse.
On a happier note, it's Heritage Day tomorrow - no one seems to know what that's all about but it scores me a day off so yay! Then the Brotherus Minimus' birthday on the 25th! Hurrah!

things...

It's been too long. I'm alive and well despite my moving company having gone into liquidation. My stuff, thankfully, is still at sea and should arrive in Durban on Tuesday, which means it will only take about another fortnight before I actually get to sit on my couch and cook with my pans and cut with my knives and add colours to my outfits besides black, black, black and red. Actually, some more red would be nice. I am very sick of my clothes, with the exception of my 'John Allison' skirt. It's still just lovely!
Anyway, this weekend I have hired a car - it's a snazzy little Daihatsu. I was meant to have borrowed Michelle's car, but her parents, who have the keys, are busy tonight and I have to get home and get back to School tomorrow for the engagement program, so I need to be mobile! Anyway, it's also Priscilla's birthday so I'm taking her out for Indian in Greenside (where I went for the fantastic deli lunch a month or so ago!).
I NEED to get a car soon. I'm trying to work something out so that that can happen in the next couple of weeks. eish.
Anyway, I should be about ready to leave. I have a whole pile of marking that the students handed in today - so I have a fun weekend ahead if nothing else! They handed in at 5pm and I've already found one case of plagiarism! Students. blah.
But, my new flat is just lovely! The space is wonderful and the light just divine! So on balance, things are good.

trials and tribulations...

I've had an eventful week. Last weekend I did a tree identification course with Lisa. We were accompanied by the Grey Hairs and the additional bonus of some racist Afrikaners. On Saturday afternoon I found a flat - in Northcliff. A lovely 2 bedroom, 2 bathroom place (why on earth does the place need two bathrooms when the second bedroom looks like a broom cupboard!). I'm not really complaining. It has great light and a wonderful balcony. It's only two years old and it has that luxurious 'we have too much money' look. Sunday was spent with Priss - trying to find an open bed or fridge shop. We failed.
I had the usual preparation and teaching on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday. It was also my Mum's birthday on Wednesday - Happy Birthday Mum!!! I went and saw Tropic Thunder on Wednesday night. Yesterday, my old Head of School gave a paper on campus - which was great. The less exciting aspect of yesterday was discovering, via Craig's List of all places, that my moving company has gone in liquidation. Hurrah. So all of my worldly possessions are now somewhere unknown to me between Melbourne and Johannesburg - I hope. I've been trying to contact the liquidation firm, but they haven't returned my calls as yet. My Dad is suggesting I contact my local state MP from Victoria... It might yet come to that. Anyway, I suppose what doesn't kill me will only make me stronger...
Except the heat. The heat is just plain nasty. We had a heat wave this week, with three out of the last four days with a max temperature over or on 30 degrees. And I only brought winter clothes with me - thinking I would have my stuff here by late August. Ah, the dreams of youth - how naive! How foolish!
I am still waiting to hear whether I have the flat yet. Although, happily, the kids were only up until about 11.30 last night. Or, at least, that's when I ceased to be conscious to hear them yelling up the corridor anymore.
The missing of Melbourne and of people in Melbs and Perth is really starting to kick in. Especially since two sets of friends are getting married in the next month or so and I won't be there for the parties... I think that's the bit that sucks the most. To not be there to celebrate with them.
Still, it could be worse. And I'm mostly just annoyed with myself that I chose an incompetent moving company...
Please excuse my whingeing. Things aren't really that bad. If the real estate lady gets her act together I should have a really lovely flat to move into! Wait until you see the photos - the place looks like a country club! And it has a pool! Start putting in your reservations for my tiny spare bedroom for 2010! It also has an amazing balcony which I intend to take full advantage of in the splendiferous Jo'burg weather. Especially if we hit summer weather in mid-September every year! They tell me it's going to be warm and barmy (if not downright hot) from now until early June. People think I'm crazy that I miss Melbourne weather, and they're probably right. I get less work done when it's warm and sunny. Still, if I have to live in the perfect climate, then I will do my best to have a stiff upper lip, lie back and think of England, and drink cocktails with the little umbrella's and floating fruit in them every night.

no longer illegal!

Sorry for the lack of updates. Things have been a little busy.
I now have a visa though! So that is most definitely a moment for celebration. I can no longer be kicked out of the country without just cause! Hurrah! Plus I scored the five year version, so I'm set! I'm a 'valid' resident until 2013!!!
Anyway, with my visa I can now do some really basic things like get a bank account and a car loan. Hurrah! First I have to convert my driver's license to a SA one. But Malekwa in admin knows someone who knows someone... so hopefully it will be an hour trip not a three month wait...
I gave a paper today on my webcomics chapter. So now all I have to do is make sure I have a much stronger conclusion than the one I gave and find those final footnotes, do a last polish and Rich can have it. Hopefully by the weekend at the latest... eish. Sorry Rich.
Funny, that's something I've picked up quickly - the use of 'eish' as an expression. I rather like it!
Now all I have to do is find a flat or a cottage. The idea of a cottage is quite appealing - I'm going to go and look at one in Westdene on Friday and hopefully some flats in Northcliff too... Both safe suburbs, not THAT far from work (closer than Prahran to Clayton, anyway) and close to Melville and Greenside - both places I 'need' to be near in order to feel normal (coffee shops, bars and bookshops - the three necessary elements of life). So things are finally (hopefully) coming together. It's been a long and frustrating period - one which I haven't shared here so much (what's the point whingeing, won't change anything) and because there literally was nothing I could do until Home Affairs decided I was legitimate and the best candidate for my job. And yes, they checked. They rang the poor dudes who didn't get it. Man, that has to be salt in the wound!
Ok, on to drinking the very lovely Savannah Dry Apple Cider I have acquired in order to celebrate my legal status!