This blog has become something of an occasional endeavour - apologies to anyone who takes the trouble to check it regularly (hi Mum andDad!). The past couple of weeks I was in Italy - so couldn't post on SA (good excuse). Now I'm back to pre-election SA - there's a big rally in Johannesburg today but it's easier to see the highlights on TV than to actually attempt to get there through the vast crowds - I feel a bit guilty about not seeing Nelson Mandela live on the podium, but on the other hand he's too old and weak now to actually make a speech (a pre-recorded contribution was broadcast at the rally) - he just sits quietly in an armchair, smiling and waving his hand to the music occasionally. His presence alone however is a good boost for the ANC - Jacob Zuma, whose corruption charges were dropped by the prosecutor's office two weeks ago, looks very happy to have Madiba (as Nelson Mandela's called here) give him this very visible endorsement. In fact Zuma seems to be in victory mode already - there's no question that the ANC will win the elections, and as a newly elected President he'll presumably be in an even stronger political position than he already was. BBC World has been showing interviews with people who intend to vote for parties other than the ANC - they all know they can't win, but they all hope to reduce the ANC's "arrogance" and make the point that SA isn't a one-party state, even if it seems that way sometimes.
Other thoughts on returning to Joburg after Europe: well I have to get used to not walking anywhere again; that's a freedom that can be taken for granted in Italy, at least in the places I go to. The weather was good in Italy and it's also wonderful here, very similar in fact, the storms have stopped as we enter the dry "winter" season - so blue skies every day and temperatures of 23 degrees or so during the day. My sense of the seasons is completely confused - at this point I've had a full year of early/mid/and late summer; the cold weather, when it comes, will be a shock.
Above: Sperlonga beach
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