The South African contingency at the 2012 London Olympics has been making waves, and not just in the swimming pool.
Local authorities at the Games are up in arms about comments made by the South African Director General of Diplomatic Relations, Kgamalema Mbumola, regarding the Saffa's Olympic aspirations.
''We are not here to compete. Or even just to take part. We are here to show these foreigners that we are not joking when we say we are here to revolutionise this movement'' he was quoted as saying in line at the McDonalds outside the Aquatic Center.
''For too long there has been political freedom, but not medallic freedom. We shall address this issue at these games. And if we meet resistance in any way, we'll argue for the nationalisation of all medals and accolades. The gold in those things were mined by the people. It should belong to them. I'm not saying we have an inherent streak of malevolency, but we cannot guarantee the safety of the Phelps' and the Wiggins' of this world''.
When questioned further, he was unavailable for comment, since he had reached the front of the line. The latest confirmed news the BBC is able to bring you is that he was last seen muttering something about KFC vs McDonalds chicken, and that such factionalism is another key battle they (the movement) is facing at the moment.
It's not just the issue of the impending medal-grabs that's causing a stir, though. The lone athlete for South Africa in the martial arts division, Kallie Van der Merwe, has lodged a complaint at tournament officials, because he feels he was mislead at his competition, leading to him missing out. Here is his press statement (Translated from Afrikaans):
''No, is like, it all started way back in March, when I was watching the day's Super Rugby games. In between the Sharks vs. Cheetahs and Bulls vs. Stormers games, this one guy tells me I'm having too much karate water. So I figured, like, I might as well enter karate, since I like the water this much. So now here we are, but the only screen in the arena is showing random numbers and scores. Then, while I was asking them to put the rugby on because I want to see Bob Skinstad's build-up, this small oake kicks me before I could even do karate. Makes no sense at all''.
Whilst the panel of appeal was Googling Bob Skinstad and the Bulls, he later withdrew from the event because he ''at least wanted to see the second half of the Semi''.
In further developments, the National men's hockey team were also the center of controversy. A player central to the success of the side, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke out about the poor treatment the team received in the run-up to the games, and attributed this to their sub-par performance at the games thus far.
''I mean, I sold a kidney to afford my trip here. I'm no doctor, but that has to effect my performance, surely?'' he said, clutching his side.
''Fortunately, ja. They're chilled about it. I mean, they check for performance-enhancing drugs and stuff, but selling organs on the black market is a federal issue, so they let that slide. I just blamed the blood in my urine sample on stress and the guy winked at me, whatever that means. I'm stoked to take part and all, but it's not nice coughing up blood during team-talks while our competition are pros, man''.
When questioned, Mbumola was quite irate with his reply.
''I couldn't help but notice there is an over-concentration of coloureds in that hockey side. If they want to vote for a madam and her tea lady, they must suffer. Let them lose. Let them see we will be dishing out the money 'till Jesus comes back!'' he said while biting open a sachet of McDonald's ketchup.
Amidst all the chaos that seems to be surrounding them, the South-Africans seem to be doing alright at the Games. With a gold medal to show for their efforts, won by the new swimming world record holder Cameron van der Burgh, one gets the feeling that in spite of these Games at least not being worse than Beijing 2008, the vast majority of South-Africans just want to get back home where everyone understands them. As Kallie Van Der Merwe put it while watching Banyana Banyana lose to Canada: ''Ja nee kyk, swaer''.
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