It’s early and the sky is downcast, reflecting the early morning kinks that leak from the displaced and sleep-deficient. Irritable at the early instant coffee, just enough to block a nap as we taxi, not enough to keep the words of the book before me in order — we nod and mumble, not looking. The runway winks.
We’re up and away between belligerent clouds and quickly. Uncertain air tangles with our wings. The turbulence bites. Now we are strangers, shaking in a grey area. Eyes glance off each other as they meet. Are these the last faces I’ll take in?
Falling is the first fear. The crown jewel of human phobia. We are over-invested in our gravity, it seems. Suspended, we radiate a primal terror. We’re unearthed live wires, dangling exposed. Not so clever now. Physics is revolting.
The arrogance of mechanical flight and its engineered tension leave iron on my tongue and knots in my superstring.
I use “my” and not “one” — I am not one, I am beginning to splinter.
Butterflies flap a vortex in my core. My solar plexus is Swiss cheese. Has my mouth got the guts for this disaster? A sweaty palm slides over the armrest — perhaps I should have had that meal … broken that hard, cold bread.
My ego is mortified. He’s seen the world a month after someone dies — flat and smooth and forgetful, a lake that’s drunk a baptism victim. Such pomp and not even a ripple. My mouth is very, very dry. The wings are flapping, they’re flapping out there in the rain, god, can you see them?
Our plane is off kilter, we plunge in silence, embracing each other with our eyelids. It’s a sad reach, and only in disaster. Now naked, there are no differences. Not in this exact moment.
Then it hits me: this is my South Africa. We are shoulder to shoulder in a pressurised vessel, aiming beyond our individual ability, our faith placed in air and invisible pilots, distorted voices trained to lull. We cannot fly, our windows look out to the side. It is not our business, just get us there, we insist. And how we will squeal if let down. It is not fair, we are too important to be lost. Our equal rights beat yours. Not once have we seen the cockpit up close, never have we tried to read the dials or enquire after the one actually flying. No, we have “made a scene”, we have developed righteous hypertension. This is what we do.
Our perception of self-importance has no matter. I am 22A … hear me roar … The crash will take us all, and leave those on the ground broken all the same. All the same.
We level out. We land alone. We leave quietly.
Aaaah…… this one requires much thought !
What an excellent simile for our predicament…but I wonder if there is anyone in the cockpit who know how to fly an airpalne? Perhaps it is best not to know…
In MY South Africa I ROAR, I strain against the chains I have placed around myself in my “isolated splendour” I fume and fret at my own inadequacies.
We HAVE to aim beyond our individual abilities and we have to believe and have faith in our equal rights.
So in the words of Neil Donald Walsch I ask “Is it possible to make a point without making an enemy? Is it possible to be right without being righteous?
I believe that it is possible and that by any and all means possible we must speak out as ALL of it is our business. There can no longer be a silent majority…..
We have to engage with each other and accept our differences as there are so many similarities, and especially NOW as we ride the current train (or plane if you so wish) of optimism brought on by the World Cup, I for one am hopeful that a small amount of unity and nation building will remain.
Now is the time as tomorrow it may be too late, you can never make up for lost time so I will reach out to my fellow countrymen and at least try to defuse this pressurised country of ours.
You see at my age I am no longer afraid to say “I do not understand” and I am always astounded at how often just saying those words brings about good meaningful debate and friendship.
Interesting perspective, although a more appropriate title might be “SA whingers and heir fear of flying”.
Its a pity the digital divide in our country gives our whingers a disproportionately louder voice.
This article appears to be fundamentally different from what we have come to expect from John Vlismas.
However every time I read the article I catch an undertone of warning to the “sweeping under the carpet” syndrome we as South Africans do so well, after all it is not our business !
Was I ever a racist, of course I was:- many a time I heard the cock crow as I betrayed my own proclaimed beliefs…
We have a democracy and it is 16 years later – we MUST take responsibility NOW and stop blaming the past, BUT never forget the past or we are doomed to repeat those mistakes.
If a black man is a racist, is it okay ? If it’s the white man’s racism that made him that way, I say no, as all bullies are the same. Racism and suppression is alive and well throughout the world.
We are so proud of our Constitution and Equal Rights, has it improved the lives of those who suffered under the “apartheid” era? No, No, No !
We have exchanged one dreadful regime for another. We have handed over our Country to those who chase the mighty $. A new class of South African has taken over at the expense of the under privileged.
But we have the power to stop it, to get rid of those who enrich themselves at the expense of the poor.
Let the people of sense and reason unite and speak out, we CAN make a difference.
South Africans need to get back down to earth, become grounded. The hard, tough reality is that your nation is flying into a cliff, piloted by a Std 2 learner, who couldn’t learn, and has no proof of actually passing that year. You have no co-pilot, no one to take over the instruments, as it’s a one party gig. So, what to do? Fly the coop? I did, and it was the best decision I ever made. I advise all educated, entrepreneurial, go-getting South Africans to leave that creaky ol’ plane.
You cannot have any confidence when you’re rudderless, in flames, oxygenless and without any practical, realistic hope of surviving. But yet, SAns continue to believe all will be well. Eventually. Even thought the tail is burning, you’re heading into a sheer wall, you’re out of fuel and your skipper is a blithering, drooling fool who spends more time galloping with the air hostesses, than he does with the job at hand.
Stay, and you’re in for a bumpy ride and crash. Leave, and you might, just might be lucky and grab yourself a parachute.
Oh dear Lockstock – you haven’t really flown the coop have you? One foot still firmly in RSA looking for fault, hoping for catastrophe here and being a prophet of doom! That you have done what your heart desires is great – but do yourself a favour and take both feet out of Africa and set them firmly into the land to which you have flown…. and now owe allegiance. “He who puts his hand to the plough and turns back, is lost!” Good luck.
This is a good analogy – I guess if SAA were flying crap planes the best thing to do would be to fly with BA or some other airline. Most sensible people would opt for that route….. you know like voting!!!!! There are other options and more to come I suspect – we have to vote with our heads!
@lockstock – I’m glad you left. All the best.
@ Lockstock
I seem to remember that we have locked horns before ….. and since you flew the “coop”….. Actually you say to much – so need I say more ????
I interact with fellow optimistic and sometimes poorly educated South Africans everyday, enough not to give up and fly the coop. I truly believe that there are sufficient honest, educated, entrepreneurial, go getting South Africans prepared to stay and address the problems we face, and dear Lockstock since when is South Africa the only country faced with corruption, crime and dishonest inept politicians ?
This is MY South Africa, and I for one will stay grounded in the soil of MY country without being blind to what is wrong, but to envisage a better country and a stronger united rainbow nation.
@ Lockstock,
If this plane was flying over Zim, or the ocean for that matter, may I suggest you make the most of the in-flight movie…
@ Rose Morrow
You have made my day ! PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN as always …
@ John Vlismas vs Lockstock
My Hero !
@ Rose Morrow – re Lockstock
Take that “sports-lover” Crickey that was good Rose! PROUDLY SOUTH AFRICAN
Cathy – thanks. It’s important to make a distinction between the ANC and/or corrupt leadership and South Africa, our Nation. We can dislike what the ANC leadership is doing and still love the country and her people and still recognize the potential that exists for RSA to become a truly great nation of integrity & prosperity for all. No more hero worship of the West by Africa… Through the preparations and hosting of the world cup, we must have learnt that we can do stuff – big stuff – and to an extremely high standard. That said, we are allowed to have expectations of our government and the leadership for this standard to continue… we can expect them to deliver services. We can expect them not to steal from us and to use our tax money for the upliftment of the poor and the maintenance of the infrastructure. We can expect our government officials not to get over inflated salaries, drive vastly expensive cars and live in secure moderately expensive hotels when they travel. We are allowed to expect our leadership and government officials to lead by extemporary example and really care about the people of RSA. And we should also expect all of the above from ourselves as citizens of RSA. Let’s not follow despotic leaders, whether African of otherwise – Let’s NOT follow – Let’s LEAD the world by finding within ourselves all that is just and good – let’s get to WORK RSA! HARD WORK!
@Rose, it’s delusional to think that democracy is putting a mark next a name every 4 years. In the intervening 4 years, you have no say whatsoever. Voting is not the answer.Ttake a look at the world’s two “biggest” democracies, the UK and US…when a handful of people decided to invade Iraq, the majority had no say in the matter. Democracy is an illusion pandered to by those in power to appease the masses and until such time as people realise this and come up with a new system, voting will achieve nothing.
“You cannot have any confidence when you’re rudderless, in flames, oxygenless and without any practical, realistic hope of surviving.”
Hell but what a ride…
There is bound to be turbulence in such a young country…
This is your Captain speaking: “Apologies for the turbulence, our beautiful airhostesses are coming around with beers and biltong, its been quite a ride, but we can expect clear blue skies as we enter Sunny South Africa.
@ Dave Harris
WTF dude?
I am not blind to what is happening in our Government and Public Service, however despite the lack of some very obvious leadership skills JZ has employed and surrounded himself with some rather realistic and clever people. Alas he has also, due to pre election promises employed loyal ANC members in the public sector. Sadly most of them are unqualified for the job.
However, I am an optimist and the ANC has given me a very clear idea of who to point the finger at – so SIMPLY REPORT YOUR LOCAL DC (deployed cadre) to the ANC – and then do what I do …..
Make phone call, after phone call to Luthuli House on their helpline ( 086 717 7077) and then you send complaint, after complaint to the office of the President – be persistent and RELENTLESS…
We can stop this ” quiet corruption” and get the money flowing back to the people where it is needed most.
So expose lazy, inept Public Servants – and write letters to the media and to every public forum available BUT most of all engage with your fellow citizens and talk to them. And if, as lockstock pointed out they are “uneducated” believe me they do know how to use a telephone. It may surprise you how many DO complain.
Every 4 years – well I never, I thought we sort of had municipal elections every now and again and are given an opportunity to get rid people with bad service delivery records… true or false ?
You can all interact with as many NuSAns as you want (New – unimproved – South Africans). Drag up all the hope you wish; believe in the power of positive thoughts, trust your fellow ‘previously disadvantaged’ to do the right thing, sing Kumbaya, have group hugs and even dream up the laughable belief that the country is somehow separated from it’s political rulers and have no effect on your daily lives, but it won’t make a blind bit of difference to the truth and outcome. Your fellow ANC voters will continue to vote along racial lines, and will stay loyal to the party they perceive to have unshackled them. The ANC know this, and will continue to take advantage of this naivety at every given opportunity. Your colleagues, maids, gardeners and other ANC voters will patronise you and tut-tut at the likes of Zuma and Malema, but they will STILL vote for the likes of them over any competent whitey. All REAL hope is lost. Accept it, move on, and turn off the lights. You either do this yourself, or wait ’till the ESKOM employees and lay-abouts do it for you.
This is an uncomfortable and inconvenient truth, and a fact none of you are able to grasp. If you had any comprehension as to how deep the hatred for you exists, you would have all packed for Perth quicker than you could say ‘Stuttafords’.
When the country eventually dies, no one will listen to your desperate Mayday call.
Grant – Democracy encompasses putting a cross on a ballot paper once every four years – that is one element of it. There are other things like freedome of speech, association, thought, consultation at local and provincial level – working in the various branches of the parties and staying in touch with people there, etc, etc Presumably people put their cross next to the party which has the most appeal in terms of policy and leadership – the one cannot exist without the other – policies and the leadership to implement those policies. Individuals elect like-minded representatives and they become our advocates – who then govern on behalf of us – their electorate. Thus their decisions are ours in theory. Major decisions (such as going to war in Iraq or going to war period) I believe should be put to referendum (provided the country is not under immediate attack). Certain changes to laws involving fundamental moral issues might need to go to referendum – but seldom. Perhaps Democracy is not the answer but neither is a system that demands a referendum every time we turn over in bed – too expensive and unwieldy – so not sure if you have anything specific in mind – why not share some ideas with us of a possible replacement for Democracy.
Treehugger – I like your thinking… Every single citizen must take ownership of RSA – make it their own – care for it and love it – and give it and its public servants some TOUGH LOVE! We have shown what we can achieve with the expectation is there and someone (or several people) stand resolutely behind those expectations – we have achieved so much of a very high standard for the world cup – thus we can expect it always – but we won’t get anything if we don’t have expectations and insist on them being met…. Don’t settle for second best South Africa – become LEADERS and NOT followers….. Integrity, kindness and hard work from EVERYONE – that should do it….
Oh Lockstock you are so arrogant and full of yourself… and so, so negative – life must be tough for you.. So you are the “new improved South African” are you? Well that is open to debate but you are most welcome to your opinion – enjoy Aus!
@Lockstock – let it out, friend, it will poison you otherwise.
@ lockstock
Crikey Mate, you have some serious issues, I really need to introduce you to a rather good friend of mine, his name is Derric and he is proudly Black and wonderfully persuasive…….
I will gladly sing Kumbaya to you, goodness are we lucky to be rid of you ! You are yet another “coop flyer” who believes that just because some of South Africans have ” black African” accents – they are automatically stupid !
And no, I don’t vote ANC – I happen to vote for opposition parties, and I do this simply because I believe that EVERY Government needs strong opposition and loyal citizens who are prepared to speak out against injustice, crime, corruption, poverty you name it – if it is not good for the people of the Nation I will be there to voice my dissatisfaction.
Jeez all that hatred – man you are going to have to go for counseling !!!!!!!
Rose – I unfortunately don’t have/know of another replacement system. I’m not even sure that one exists, given all historical examples of humans corrupting and manipulating any system that has existed. Democracy, like communism or anarchism (which I believe is a system that should be explored – and which requires a huge amount of faith in humans, far more they we deserve) is great in theory….but the reality is far, far removed from the theory. I think the referendum idea for important issues is a good one. Unwieldy, yes, but worthwhile. And certanily far less expensive than the money already being wasted by governments (not just ours) around the world.
It is times like these that I realise the brain-drain has had a far greater impact on South Africa that what is probably generally believed. The quality of response, the ad hominem attacks, the usual platitudes ground out and the complete lack of originality is really quite worrisome. Or at least it would be if I still lived there.
What IS lacking in amongst all these pithy comments, is an actual well constructed argument and proof that the country is changing for the better, that the ANC could possibly be voted out, or even a mild attempt to convince me that your people/NuSAns have the actual capacity, experience, fortitude, ability, education, will, due diligence and skills required to turn your burning spitfire around! (Never mind put the flames out).
But no. The truth is your country is heading in the wrong direction, with the racist whore-mongers like Malema gaining ground, and the unrest and instability taking some rather nasty turns for the worst. Services are breaking down, and commerce doesn’t know how to add one single job to the country’s bottom line, as it’s not just because the entrepreneurial class is fighting city hall, but also it’s ridiculous BEE and AA requirements. Not only that, the most productive sector of your society is leaving in droves, and those that remain are hamstrung.
So, with this in mind, can someone – without the Pollyanna syndrome – explain how the country will succeed? Anyone?
Thought as much.
Eish Baas Lockstock, you use most very big words, too hard for us stupid South Africans to understand, maybe you should come back and show us how we must do this thing right, you cannot speak for us when you are so faaaar away and then only belive waht the Agents tell you ! so I can just say to you VIVA SOUTH AFRICA and we are so sorry we showed the world how they must now do the World Cup so that they can see and use us as example.
Sorry Baas that you are so angry and that you ran away ……. maybe you just don’t uderstand so we forgive you
Lockstock –
Given your approach, how does the question about South Africa’s future stick in your throat so? It doesn’t apply to you, does it?
You are allowed your opinion, but it’s weighted according to where your mouth is. You enjoyed, whether you like it or not, the benefits of a criminal system for a large part of your life. Now that the system has been corrected, you have run away to another place while we get through the nuts and bolts and blood of addressing this mess left in the wake.
Are we the only nation on Earth that suffers stupid and sly and corrupt leadership? You may call us all stupid, you’re naive, mate.
And if you feel that Justice is so important to your pristine being, why didn’t you go overseas when you became aware that the previous government legislated and legitimized human rights abuse? “Thought as much”
If you feel that a decade and a half is enough to fix the damage here, you are better off in another place. Don’t forget the suncreen.
I would much rather deal with Julius Malema’s nonsense than your wet nappy. At least his Sh&% is inside. G’Day.
lockstock – Arrogant to a fault! Your bombastic, judgmental approach masks what little intelligence you may have. South Africa owes you no explanation whatsoever – no justification – zero. Secondly, the ANC will stay or go depending on the MAJORITY vote – it’s called democracy – only in the “good ol days” would the ANC,et al have been manipulated out of power by banning and its leaders murdered and executed. But none of this is your problem any more and it’s not like RSA is begging you back so why would we pander to your demands for explanations. Incidently, it was our “NuSAns” who had the “actual capacity, experience, fortitude, ability, education (vast natural intelligence actually since most were denied a formal education), will, due diligence and skills required” to overthrow the “OlSAns” – you know, the fascist, cruel, corrupt, nasty, hedonistic dictators we had running things before – people like you lockstock! Actually you come across as very similar to Malema – self-important, bombastic, insulting, arrogant and lacking in integrity. They say you hate most in others what you hate in yourself. Actually those “leaving in droves” may well be skilled, etc, but they wouldn’t give a damn about job creation (except for their own children), umemployment or poverty – they weren’t interested in the past so why would they be now? Exploitation of the poor, deliberately uneducated masses was the name of the game in the past but it’s not tolerated any more in RSA which is why you left! Cheers!
Grant – Socialism seems to be the way forward but that is essentially an economic system lodged within democracy ……. it’s a tough one because as you say, most isms have been used for corruption and exploited horrifically by various dictators. Referendums should be used for decisions that fundamentally and irrevocably alter the lives of all the people in the country that is for certain. War, environmentally devastating decisions and laws that impinge deeply on the moral/ethical fibre of the majority of the people in the country.. otherwise the guys we voted for are the ones that make the decisions on our behalf.
John Vlismis – I really like your comment in response to lockstock…. thoughtful and sincere. We need a whole lot more like you out in the public eye and getting into the general public mind set.
@ John
An Epic novel …… lockstock under siege !!!!!!
@ Rose, my compliments, I am truly impressed by your very well composed responses !!!
Thanks John Vlismis, I echo Rose Morrow’s sentiments regarding your thoughtful response to oxymoronic “Lovestock” – someone who’s actually brimming with with bitterness and anger.
Thank you Cathy