Noah keeps cracking the jokes as the moon turns red
Trevor Noah must be a relieved man.
Not only did he make Africa proud with his debut on the Daily Show, nailing it with his unique style of comedy, but he managed to complete the first episode without the world suddenly ending.
Yes, Noah must have cracked a smile during his shot at fame, as numerous doomsayers looked anxiously up at the sky, waiting for Earth to open its jaws, to swallow us like the whale gobbled up Jonah.
While photos were snapped of the moon turning red, resembling a tomato in the sky (I was sleeping at the time), back on Earth, where reality still prevails, people enjoyed a laugh with Noah while others toasted the Springboks’ win against a brave Samoan team.
Yes, Earth did not end, but it was not the end of strangeness, judging by all the excitement and hype when the Boks claimed the victory as Jean de Villiers nursed a broken jaw.
After all, we had beaten Samoa. This was not the All Blacks. Or Australia. Or Ireland. Yes, South Africans got way too excited, probably burning the meat on the braai after we triumphed against a team hailing from a small island (population of 200 000).
At least it seems the rugby supporters had more fun that those whose hopes were dashed when the blood moon grinned down on us but mankind was left behind to continue its path of havoc and chaos.
There was, however, nothing strange about the crime statistics revealing that 49 people are killed daily in South Africa.
I know most people find these stats bogus and an under-estimation, but at least we are reminded that we live in violent times.
The crime figures reminded us that even though the world did not end, we are doing a fine job ourselves of ending many lives prematurely.
At least, we don’t live in a Syria, where Russian and American war planes are raining down missiles, all the while hoping not to engage in warfare against each other.
What was rather weird following the deceleration of SA’s violent state of gloom, was the announcement that around 14 000 police officers will be promoted.
Yes, you have read between the lines. Our country is ruled by criminals, which means law enforcement is not so effective, but let us, anyway, promote thousands of officers, at a cost of around R300-million. Bizarre.
So, all you doomsayers, keep your blood moon, there is enough craziness going around right here in our small corner of Africa.
Then we have the Unite Against Corruption march, which took place at the Union Buildings, which reminded us of the reality that we live not only in a dangerous society, but also a corrupt one.
The organisers of the anti-corruption marches apparently have a laundry list of 33 demands that seek changes in every sphere of government, even from the public protector.
Good luck to them. It is like hoping de Villiers’s broken jaw will magically be mended in time for the Rugby World Cup quarter-finals (if we make it so far).
Just get used to it. Corruption is rife and, for now, it is here to stay, just like the moon in the sky and the people on this planet.
Don’t we just live in interesting times?
As a final word, let’s toast all optimistic South Africans who think marching will solve corruption, that Brian Molefe’s Eskom will keep the lights on for the rest of the year and who seriously believe National Police Commissioner Riah Phiyega’s quest for promotions is not just to counter demoralisation in the SAPS.
