Comments on: Ich bin kein Berliner

By: Tertius Kapp

Tertius Kapp — Thu, 05 Nov 2009 17:10:21 +0000

Thanks for all the comments.
“like the Bokke use player 23″ – gotta love it. I’m starting to see the immense effect the weather would have on war, social welfare or even just peeing on the street here…Snow just started falling. We watched Jerusalema with the students the other night, and they loved (or let’s say, were fascinated by) the idea that private security is bigger business in SA than mining. And also quite concerned when I told them that ADT is the biggest armed force in the country.
We all know SA is beautiful, tragic, violent and ruled by money. But more than any of these it is fascinating, and quite unique, from whichever angle you look at it (historically, linguistically, sociologically, take your pick). This, I think, explains a lot of the academic interest in SA.
TK

By: Twitter Trackbacks for Thought Leader » Tertius Kapp » Ich bin kein Berliner [thoughtleader.co.za] on Topsy.com

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 14:52:22 +0000

[...] Thought Leader » Tertius Kapp » Ich bin kein Berliner http://www.thoughtleader.co.za/tertiuskapp/2009/11/02/berliner-is-as-berliner-does – view page – cached JFK famously called himself a doughnut (a specific German variety known as a “Berliner”) during a 1963 speech underlining the USA’s support for West Germany. Recently, party poopers have… Read moreJFK famously called himself a doughnut (a specific German variety known as a “Berliner”) during a 1963 speech underlining the USA’s support for West Germany. Recently, party poopers have been pointing out that he was technically correct in using the abstract form of the sentence, that this kind of doughnut is not actually called a “Berliner” in Berlin itself, and lots of other boring facts which detract from the fun of the story. Firstly, there is no way JFK calling himself a doughnut is going to reduce my respect for the man who could handle Fidel on the phone and Marilyn in bed at the same time, while smoking a cigar. Secondly, a Berliner is what some call a doughnut in Berlin. (It also refers to a sausage and a beer, both quite Read less [...]

By: MLH

MLH — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 12:29:45 +0000

What’s love got to do with it, Mundundu? Think it’s raw fear that builds walls and sheer terror that puts razor wire on top.
Interestingly, my sister lives in a Cape Town gated complex of town-house units that was recently broken into at night. One woman moved to her son’s home within a week and her grandson was sent to occupy her home (well, he had no bedroom with mum and dad any more, did he?).
In the long term, I think we all react the same way.
But let me know once the criminals have again moved south for the summer…

By: mundundu

mundundu — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 11:48:28 +0000

mlh — no, i don’t think more south africans would have made the break. germans, when they have guns in their hands, are pretty good with them. [ask the namibians about that one.]

remember, it was the russian *weather* that sank the germans on the eastern front, not the red army. [of course, the red army used the weather like the bokke use player 23.]

but it’s such a shame that people in gauteng are so enamored with their high walls and razor wire. this is better than cape town in what way?

By: MLH

MLH — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:39:54 +0000

I am fascinated that people over there care about things South African and also wonder how long it would take South Africans to climb that wall with an AK47 trained on them. Bet more of ours would have made the break…

By: Shelagh

Shelagh — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 10:11:56 +0000

Love your writing, Tertius.

By: Lynne

Lynne — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 09:01:43 +0000

I wonder if our own SACP could find Germany on the map? Perhaps they will have the privilege of meeting the old man, and then “Gott sei dank!” we can get rid of them too.

By: Anza Mehnert

Anza Mehnert — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:04:51 +0000

Hey Tertius. Remember me? Who’s Who, back in the day. Loved your blog, laughed about the wall “God sei dank!!!”
I am attempting to track down old Whosies, as we are doing a reunion. I guess you are too busy dealing with the cold winters in POland. Ag shame. It is sunny and 24 deg here in CT.
Have a great time…will keep reading your blogs.
Anza

By: CB

CB — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 15:53:12 +0000

Lol – an amusing read. (I’m sure even the Great Wall of China would look small to a Jo’burger!) I can especially relate since I’m married to an East German who grew up behind that wall, and our first two years of marriage were spent living in a small village Northeast of Berlin. Those were interesting times for an ex-Capie!