A habit for sensationalism
2007-10-29 09:15
Wernardt Toerien, News24 User
It would seem that the old adage "power corrupts, absolute power corrupts absolutely" proves true.
Whilst JK Rowling is bent on making a statement and being controversial by giving old Dumbledore a push out of the closet, it would seem that some others who wield considerably less power in the greater scheme of things regress to stirring the pot to get themselves noticed.
Just like the media circus which erupted over the "SA Male prostitute" sex blog, it would seem that any old clown pulling a trick or two gets his 15 seconds of fame. This habit for sensationalism, at the lack of any virtues to fall back on, seems to also be pervasive in local political circles.
Now, let's forget for a moment that politicians are, for the most part, spineless orators who advance through inciting the masses through exactly the mechanism described above.
It would seem that some of them are particularly useless and in desperation, have to resort to illogical but controversial acts and utterances to get themselves a pedestal from which to proclaim their worth to society (and from which to justify their luxury 4x4, no doubt).
Not a chart-topper
Something which has gone largely under reported seems to be that the Honourable Mayor of Nelspruit is bent on changing the city's name to Mbombela. Allegedly, he has not consulted properly with the business community and the public. However, since nobody would really know who he is unless he stirred up some controversy, who can blame the ever so important mayor?
What I wish to know is what the petty excuse will be this time. As far as I recall, Nelspruit was initially a white settlement of Pioneers (or Trekkers, if you will). There are nearby settlements which are, rightfully, named Kabokweni and Kanyamazane.
Eliminating the possibility that the city evokes memories of Apartheid through its name, and eliminating the possibility of the settlement having been established by somebody else than Mr Nel, I really am left at a loss trying to guess the lame justification which is bound to be forthcoming.
This leaves me with the conclusion that the Honourable Mayor's perception of his own importance is urging him to prove that he is also able to make things happen. Failing to make anything useful happen, perhaps he (and many like him all over the country) has learnt well from the shining examples of Britney, Lindsay and the like.
In fact, these Hollywood puppets and our politicians seem to be very much alike when one thinks about it. They're useless, rely on sensationalist media coverage and cheap controversial stunts, get paid by a population of brainwashed consumers and don't lose popularity regardless of their actions.
At least Britney churns out a chart-topper now and then.
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