I like to listen to the 2 pm news on my radio station. The first news item today was a News24 report about minister Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma’s proposal to keep the cigarette and alcohol ban in place until the country reaches Lockdown Level 1. I screamed at the top of my voice, totally out of character, I have to add. So much so that Roger came running to find out what was wrong. I think the complex folk must have thought that he had beaten me up. I realise that it is just a proposal at this stage, so we will have to wait and see…
Another man died after consuming home-brewed alcohol which he bought from an illegal local producer. His stepfather is in ICU. Mmm, I rest my case.
After a lot of back-and-forth banter on our WhatsApp group today, Francois reminded me of an incident that happened a long time ago.
The boys were both preschool and always playing outside, busy with secret and often mischievous activities, most of which the parents knew nothing. They both had brand new blue one-piece overalls which they loved to wear. Eugene was especially adventurous and this particular day they were climbing a rather high tree towards the back of the plot. He lost his footing, resulting in one almighty tumble to the ground. Fortunately, the overall, which was still too big for him, randomly caught on branches on the way down, breaking his fall. He was not without injury though.
I was totally unaware of all this when he came running into the house, wailing at the top of his voice, his nose bleeding profusely. I calmly lay him down on the floor and got some ice to place on his forehead to stop the nosebleed. As he started calming down he asked me through the tears, blood and snot, what sounded like
“Lyk ek soos ‘n slaghaan?” (do I look like a slaughtered chicken?)
I burst out laughing, very impressed with his sense of humour, and said “yes”.
To my dismay he started wailing again. Once the bleeding had stopped and he calmed down, he sat up, eyes as big as saucers, and asked again:
“Was dit ‘n slagaar? Gaan ek nou doodgaan?” (was it an artery, am I going to die?)
Oh, my word, all the while the child was thinking that he was about to die because I confirmed his artery was severed! Being farm kids, they were well aware of the slaughtering process. It took a huge hug and repeated assurances that everything was going to be OK and he would live. I don’t know if he ever forgave me for the angst my answer caused. What I do know is that it did not dampen his spirit of adventure.
Back to now:
Interest rates were cut again yesterday. This is good for the consumer, but I shudder to think what is happening to my investments, i.e. my ‘pension’.
Widespread snow is predicted for South Africa and Lesotho from Monday next week. And we cannot even escape to the much warmer Marloth Park.
Four JMPD officers have tested positive. One of them became sick, was tested and then isolated. His three co-workers did not quarantine until their test results came back positive. They continued working and dealing with the public!
Number of positive cases: 19 137
Number of deaths: 369