Is this quite literary work a new standard of truth telling?
What a relief after the cynical know-it-all genre populating left-leaning publications by hot-shot commentators, those who can't critique the free market on pure economic terms, and whose sad pessimism makes them offended by the immense altruistic power of capitalism.
Here is a voice that with the subtle brutality of a stiletto puts what is right and true before the conscious reader, and leaves the choice to whatever consciousness remains...
This brilliant essay is a reminder of the thousands of good deeds and thoughts, the enacted ubuntu, of real South Africans. They are the body personal that shapes our identity, not the power-grabbing publicity of the body politic.
Beautifully written and an honest assessment of what it really is to be a South African. We live in Hamburg (not too far from Bremen (and trying to be perfect foreigners in a taxing country.
Appreciative writing, but clearly a confused South African mindset. To me it sounds as confused as most South Africans are today. We are not ONLY immensly cruel, but neither are we actually a very "good" nation. But perhaps that is what was intended to be revealed in the opinion piece? Maybe I was expecting something more analytical and less emotionally confused. But, then, it does actually reflect the South African zeitgeist of too many years now...
The author clearly loves South Africa. However she also sees the dark side of our identity at this point in time and very subtly lambasts our failings. She hasn't resorted to the typical overstatement characteristic of social media, thus leaving the reader to do some homework. It's actually a highly evolved form of humour, an elevated coping mechanism to deal with the aforementioned and oft-repeated dark side in the essay.
Is this quite literary work a new standard of truth telling?
What a relief after the cynical know-it-all genre populating left-leaning publications by hot-shot commentators, those who can't critique the free market on pure economic terms, and whose sad pessimism makes them offended by the immense altruistic power of capitalism.
Here is a voice that with the subtle brutality of a stiletto puts what is right and true before the conscious reader, and leaves the choice to whatever consciousness remains...
This brilliant essay is a reminder of the thousands of good deeds and thoughts, the enacted ubuntu, of real South Africans. They are the body personal that shapes our identity, not the power-grabbing publicity of the body politic.
Beautifully written and an honest assessment of what it really is to be a South African. We live in Hamburg (not too far from Bremen (and trying to be perfect foreigners in a taxing country.
Beautifully taxing.
Appreciative writing, but clearly a confused South African mindset. To me it sounds as confused as most South Africans are today. We are not ONLY immensly cruel, but neither are we actually a very "good" nation. But perhaps that is what was intended to be revealed in the opinion piece? Maybe I was expecting something more analytical and less emotionally confused. But, then, it does actually reflect the South African zeitgeist of too many years now...
Hi Piet
The author clearly loves South Africa. However she also sees the dark side of our identity at this point in time and very subtly lambasts our failings. She hasn't resorted to the typical overstatement characteristic of social media, thus leaving the reader to do some homework. It's actually a highly evolved form of humour, an elevated coping mechanism to deal with the aforementioned and oft-repeated dark side in the essay.
Perhaps a re-read will reveal this?
Thanks, Ian, it helps me understanding the "message" of a very touching piece from a better clarified perspective...