Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni, a taxi boss, recently testified before the Madlanga commission, where he took issue with being referred to as a "sheriff" in a WhatsApp message. Sibanyoni insisted that he was, in fact, a taxi association "president," highlighting the importance of the pecking order in his world. This incident showcases the significance of titles and respect within certain circles in South Africa.
During his testimony, Sibanyoni concluded with a quote that he considered fitting for a self-respecting "president." The quote, which he claimed was one of his "quotable quotations," read: "As the lapsing of chronometer, symbolically indicating the twinkle tingling of conte conte, mine at this present juncture is just to evacuate this arena, leaving you with these few words: See me when I see you, and if you don’t, we shall see one another in the near future. And there we shall smile because this was well planned by the almighty God." This quote drew comparisons to former President Jacob Zuma's infamous gibberish.
The issue of quotes and authorship was also raised in relation to a 123-page monograph published by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation. According to a colleague who read the entire document, most of its content consists of direct quotes from speeches and reports written or delivered by Mbeki during his time as president and deputy president. This has raised questions about the originality and authorship of the monograph.
The monograph reportedly concludes with a story told by apartheid general Constand Viljoen to Mbeki and a colleague in the early 1990s. The general shared a valuable lesson he learned as a young man: "never start a fire in the veld unless you are sure you can put it out." This story serves as a reminder of the importance of careful planning and consideration.
In contrast to the complexities of South African politics, a recent event in North America highlighted the issue of presidential competence. US President Donald Trump hosted a meeting on AI, where he obtained signatures from Big Tech company owners and CEOs on a "White House Accord on Super Intelligence." However, Trump's signature included a spelling error, with his title listed as "President of the Unites States."
Meanwhile, in South Africa, two individuals, Ngizwe Mchunu and Phakel'umthakathi, who gained national attention for their portrayals of Shaka Zulu warriors, recently disrupted an investment conference organized by the Ingonyama Trust. The two men, accompanied by armed individuals, claimed to be acting on behalf of King Misuzulu but eventually apologized and claimed they had been misled about the event.
The incident involving Mchunu and Phakel'umthakathi raises questions about the motivations and actions of individuals who claim to be acting on behalf of traditional leaders or authorities. It also highlights the need for greater accountability and understanding of the complex dynamics at play in South African society.
Key points
- Taxi boss Joe "Ferrari" Sibanyoni insists on being referred to as a "president" rather than a "sheriff."
- A 123-page monograph published by the Thabo Mbeki Foundation consists largely of direct quotes from Mbeki's speeches and reports.
- US President Donald Trump makes a spelling error on a official document, listing his title as "President of the Unites States."
