My Green in Judgement Sister

In May of 2013, my sister left home to pursue a broken dream with what I presume can only be a phase. It’s a phase with devastating and damaging repercussions that I’m sure brings shame to my family. We respect that she has reached the legal age to make decisions and to leave home, but the question is ‘leave home to go where?’ and it is precisely this that is alarming. Since my sister turned 16 she has always been rebellious and somewhat green in her judgement, whatever that judgement may be I haven’t the slightest idea but like every teenager there is always going to be an issue with anything and sometimes even everything. I grew up too fast during my youth and never had time to enjoy a social life if there is such a thing. Nonetheless, I am rather proud of myself that I didn’t follow that path as I have seen the affect it has on any teenager when they come of age; my sister is a prime example. It’s disappointing factor that shows disrespect, lack of manners and most importantly unappreciative to the upbringing she as well as myself have received. Indeed it is true that it wasn’t a perfect upbringing but it was much better than others who have received the worst upbringings unimaginable. I received the same fate as she did and I turned out fine. The problem she endeavours is the fact that she is without a shadow of a doubt the most selfish person yet because she only thinks of herself instead of the needs and feelings of others. It isn’t a problem to me though I fear that in the future when something serious arises that she will not be informed of anything. Most importantly, when she is in need of those who have nurtured her and given her strength to go on that her needs will be ignored in return. It’s very sad but an awakening to the truth. I for one know that my sister will not be able to face life independently because she is too dependent on others including her family of which she distances herself away from them despite the sacrifices they have made for her. Again it is utter spite on her behalf but she doesn’t see it that way because she is young and not very wise when it comes to rational thinking. She has moved out and moved in with her boyfriend and his family. She has isolated herself from a worthy life to impress a boy. It’s a shocking revelation but it’s a very true one. She has abandoned those who have provided a life that many take for granted. It’s not only a slap in the face but simply rude too. I would like to see my sister succeed at something worthy, I know that she can, but her motives are too weak because she lacks the ability to understand that no-one is trying to make her live a life she doesn’t want but that she is living a life that she soon won’t want to even live because she ignored the best and most credible advice ever given. Ignorance is something my sister thrives on. It’s her trademark alongside the sister of ignorance, that being arrogance. I strongly feel the need to start standing my ground and giving my sister the deserved requests she desires, that request to leaver her alone is something that I’m fully prepared to do, but once it happens, there is no going back for I do not take my actions for granted as my word has always been my law and I stand by it completely. I know that my sister means well but she’s embarrassing me and my integrity that people are shocked when they discover we’re related because of how much she has changed. My sister doesn’t have any principles therefore it’s difficult for her to adhere to straightening her priorities though she had been given a set of basic principles to structure her life. I don’t know why it all turned upside down, but what I do know is that she has always been one to turn a blind eye to any wrongdoing and it’s precisely this that my sister needs to rethink of her own actions. She also needs to be aware of the fact that she hasn’t lived life to know life, neither have I but I’ve lived a lot longer than she has and can advise her properly. Getting through to her will be a challenge as she has a listening problem, either way I give up.

Clément Méric: Death Of An Activist

Clément Méric was a French student and activist who died on Thursday the 6^th of June 2013. The 18 year old student partook in an anti-fascist protest march in the French capital days prior to his death. It is presumed that he’d become a target to the Nationalist Revolutionary Youth group JNR a Neo-Nazi mob.

On Wednesday afternoon, Meric had accompanied some of his friends to a Parisian shopping district near St Lazare train station. The group had been shopping at a Fred Perry outlet before the attack took place outside. The group was said to have been in a verbal crossing match that later descended into a violent brawl. Witnesses state that vicious words had been exchanged before the JNR mob had decided to strike the group. Meric who obviously had been the target, had been protesting days earlier when the equal marriage act was legalised in France. Far right-wing groups had taken to the streets of Paris in protest against the newly passed legislation, among them were left-wing groups in favour of the new act which sees gays and lesbians having the opportunity to marry in the French Republic. Meric had been a member of the Antifasciste (Anti-Fascist Group) and was protesting in favour of the cause which had been documented and depicted by French media.

The JNR fascist mob is alleged to involve skinheads who partook in the vicious attack on Meric. An alleged 20 year old man whose identity is known only as ‘Esteban’ is seen to be the main culprit in the events leading up to the crime itself. It was Esteban who witnesses say had been wearing a knuckle-duster when he struck the 18 year old student. Meric had gone into a state of concussion after smashing his skulls against the pavement. Paramedics had later managed to ensure that the teenager had a pulse but that they were unable to help regain his consciousness. On Thursday evening, doctors attending to the patient declared Meric brain dead as the impact of his seizure was indeed delicately fatal. Shortly after, the patient was pronounced dead. Esteban has since been arrested.

Originally from the city of Brest on the coastal region of the province of Brittany, Meric had lived with his family there before taking up studying at the University of Sciences Po in Paris. Flowers and cards of condolences were widespread at the university and respects had been sent to the family including homage being paid by the French President, Francois Hollande.

Speculation that Meric had been a member of the far left-wing group ‘REDSKIN BREST’ goes unnoticed by French media. The group which is an extreme communist mob that glorifies violence has been depicted in some of fashions worn by Meric himself. Unreleased photographs to the public domain show Meric wearing the clothes of his chosen ideologies which include left-wing and far left-wing motives. Lonsdale clothing which is clearly represented by far right-wing movement across Europe and the clothing representing Redskin Brest, Meric’s birth city youth group. It may be understood that Meric’s death was due to his outlandishness and that it might not have been the case if he’d been tactful in the peaceful demonstrations that saw him depicted wearing a scarf over his face during the ant-fascism march in Paris earlier in June.

Although shockwaves have spread across France in recent days with politicians breaking down on national television in disarray to the news and the impact of what Neo-Nazi and right-wing groups are causing, it’s already been at the height of the discussion boards that the cause is due to the legislation of the new equal marriage act and had it not been legalised, that tension in France would’ve soured.

 As a result, the death of an 18 year old that had not lived life to the full had been fighting a cause for what he believed in, had become a victim of the far-right. A death in any case should be avoidable; however, this was a crime that was purposely impetrated to make a point. Like former British Prime Minister, Margaret Thatcher once said “The rule of the mob cannot replace the rule of law.” It is precisely this point that France needs to take into consideration and France is doing so by arresting those responsible and dissolving the Nationalist Revolutionary Youth movement, a move that right-wing groups are not taking too well, nonetheless, crime is crime and had it not been the case in this case alone, perhaps the group would still be able to raise its concerns as the French constitution democratically gives way to freedom of speech and expression. The mob had violated their own rights and as a result is faced with the devastating consequences.

Clément Méric

05-06-2013

R.I.P

Chad C Rensburg



The Introduction Of The 'Rich Tax' & The Decline Of A Functioning Nation.

There is an average 1.5 million domestic workers in South Africa most of whom are dependent on working in homes across the country to provide for their own families. If the government imposes more taxes on the rich referring to the proposed ‘rich tax’ then employers will be unable to employ domestics. This might be seen as welcoming to the average working class citizen but what about the very poor? Who will be prepared to afford and employ a domestic worker? Will the domestic worker be paid minimum wage because of the tax increase? Will the domestic worker be able to continue work despite a change in income (lower salary)? Will domestic workers, who do a tremendous job and whom should be applauded as well as recognised, be able to provide for their families? What will become of domestics in this country if the government introduces this new tax? How many then will claim benefits from the state to make up for what’s been taken away? What will the government do when it comes to realise that by taxing more on the rich it is only going to make the poor, poorer enabling a decrease in employment, therefore, no income at all and those who are able to afford it will see a sharp decline in salary.

Above all, the government of the day has lost touch with the South African people and many, many people are soon to feel, if not experiencing it already, the damages being caused by the state’s utter greed for more. The truth on all levels is that the government barely does anything with the amount of tax it receives a year. Indeed, it is righteous to pay a tax as in any functioning, democratic country, but who benefits from it? Why are so many people still suffering? South Africa is indeed a prosperous country with plentiful resources and minerals to help growth remain sustainable with a working economy pumping in its share; however, South Africa is a hungry nation. Will it take a starving citizen to drop dead outside the gates of parliament begging for food to live an extra day for the government of the day to finally open the eyes? The answer is no! The government is happy to take the vote but are unprepared to do anything for the vote.

The Zuma administration has deceived a nation soon to be in decline if we keep up with this nonsense by ‘working together and doing more.’ We can indeed work together but we cannot do more for doing more is prevented entirely. No citizen has benefitted from the government but the government has benefitted from the citizen. I am indeed very, very angry with the state and I truly feel that ministers of state especially our insidious finance minister should be lined up and individually slapped by each and every working citizen who is emotionally and physically tired by the humiliation and degradation endeavoured by this intolerable government.

The Rich Tax will financially destroy innocent lives. It will be indeed easier for the rich to enjoy the comfort of remaining employed irrespective of such taxation but while they will still be able to provide for their families by bringing in a regular income, those who could’ve also benefitted will serve a shattered lifestyle merely because good income families will be unable to afford domestic employment. I suppose that people can do things for themselves and that not having help will be okay for a while but still, what will become of the domestics? What does the future hold for them? Are they even guaranteed a future under these new circumstances? It’s shady I know to say that the rich cannot function without the help of domestics but nevertheless, who will employ them after the introduction of the new tax? Will those domestics continue to give their loyal support for the government of the day? Will the 21^st century see a new political uprising where everyone will fight to be treated as equal citizens? Most importantly will people from all walks of life, rich and poor finally realise that this government of whom has government almost 20 years just doesn’t care for you!  It’s hard to come to terms with this if you’re a loyalist of the state but nonetheless, it is in fact, merely the truth.

De Gertruda Hoeve: The Stench Of Unappeasement!

Recently, I have been thinking about a little restaurant in the Dutch town of Son en Breugel that I worked for whilst undercover. The restaurant is called ‘De Gertruda Hoeve’ (The Gertruda Homestead) the restaurant is known for their use of local produce and is popular with the extravagance of Dutch cuisine with a French twist and awful taste. The restaurant has made some changes since I was last there in the winter of 2009

It all started when rumours had hit the hospitality and management industry about a little restaurant called de Gertruda Hoeve which was said to employ new staff members and belittle as well as degrade them publicly. I was given a small task to do some investigating since I literally lived in the town of Son en Breugel. At the time I was a stubborn 19 year old student enjoying the stages of being ‘green in judgement’ and always knowing best and being right.

I remember my first encounter with Evert Thielen, the owner and head chef of De Gertruda Hoeve, whilst on the telephone, he had a soft briskly voice and sounded like a charming and reasonable man. I managed to make an appointment seeking a part-time job as a waiter. It was on that very same day after I told him that I lived in the same town that he urged me to come to the restaurant immediately. I just about managed to put on something sensible to wear. It was a very cold day, so I put on my grey coat, scarf and gloves. I got onto my bicycle and cycled steadily towards the restaurant just two roads away from my house. As I parked my bicycle and approached the main door of the restaurant I thought how homely the restaurant looked. Outside, was his wife Marlies washing windows, she is the head waitress of the restaurant. “Good morning” she said with a stern voice “Good morning” I replied with a slight grin, she opened the door and guided me in.

Inside, the empty restaurant was dark and gloomy and had this very musky smell to the place, a smell I would in time become prone to but will never forget. There was an unlit fireplace facing west of the bar and restaurant area, in front of the fireplace was a small seating area where I was told to wait for Mr.Thielen. As he approached, I immediately stood up and introduced myself and likewise vice-versa. Evert was a very stocky man who obviously enjoyed his food; he had the biggest and shiniest bald head I’d ever seen and was dressed in his usual white chef’s uniform and very proud of himself.

After our talks, Mr.Thielen came to a conclusion on his part alone, this being that I would be employed full-time as well as weekends. I didn’t like the idea but I accepted. He noticed that, despite my appearance, that I wasn’t the average foreigner in the Netherlands to the over-populating Moroccans and Turks. I think that I was the first and only South African to work at de Gertruda Hoeve. My first shift would be that evening, Mr.Thielen told me to wear something nice but not to arrive over-dressed reminding me that after all, I am just a waiter.

That evening I freshened up very well and put on my ‘smart’ working clothes (pleated trousers and waist-coat) and was all set to go. When I arrived, I was told to always enter from the back entrance from now on. I accepted and went in; Mrs.Thielen gave me a full tour of the restaurant and told me what my job was and what I needed to do. As I went into the kitchen, I greeted Mr. Thielen and the first thing he said was “good grief boy, you reek” I was so stunned, I didn’t know what to say, so I just shrugged. I was shortly introduced to the under-chef and a chef-in-training, a teenager around my age, I never got to know his name but it was this kid who would truly get on my nerves when the reality of rumours would come to life.

My first night at de Gertruda Hoeve went well, I didn’t like the atmosphere but I wasn’t going to allow that change my mood. After a hard night’s work, I managed to have the silver polished and ready for the next day; the dishes and glasses had all been washed and put away. I decided to help clean up behind the bar and it was at this time that Mr.Thielen decided that he was finished in the kitchen along with the chef-in-training; the under-chef was of course still in the kitchen washing the rest of the used pots. Both Thielen and that kid sat at the bar and ordered drinks and refreshments, he specifically ordered five bowls of nuts and five different drinks, I asked him to repeat his order as he was a very fast speaker, he gave me this diminishing look and said. “What are you disturbed? Don’t you understand? You’re useless, I said I want five (mockingly gestures five fingers as the kid laughs out loudly) bowls of nuts, two beers, one glass of chardonnay, a glass of rose for Marlies and what do you want?” I nodded my head. “Coming right up, and I don’t want anything to drink thank you.”  After I served them their drinks and refreshments and declining a beverage myself, Mr.Thielen said I could go home, I yawned and went upstairs to get my coat, scarf and gloves and off I went home.

The next two weeks would become a drastic endurance that I would come to hate. Mr. Thielen didn’t like it when I mentioned anything overachieving when it came to my studies or personal well-being, most of the time his vicious character spelt out ‘I am someone, you are no one’ caused many who worked for him to dislike him including a fellow college friend, Thielen had grown fond of him.

Before Christmas of that year I missed one of my shifts at de Gertruda Hoeve as I was expected to be at the South African Embassy in The Hague, I was applying for a new passport as it was my intention to return back to South Africa the following year. As the day was drawing to a close I new that I would only be returning home late in the afternoon which descended into early evening due to the traffic, I didn’t know what to do, so like a lame old sod, I asked my mother to telephone Mrs.Thielen and tell her that I won’t be able to make it to work. I wasn’t able to bear the response if I was to speak to ‘them’ personally.

The next day I returned to work only to find that I was ignored by Mr. Thielen, again his usual comments would be “Boy, you stink” with gales of laughter from that pathetic kid of whom I despised of. Mrs. Thielen gave me my evening routine. That night would become a storm for the establishment. I was actually liked by diners as well as a group of foreign business men and women who addressed me in English and since the English is my mother tongue, I was able to address them in a profoundly high English manner which was welcomed on their part. Mr.Thielen didn’t like this relationship as he only spoke French and Dutch of course, it was Mrs.Thielen who took on the responsibility of speaking English when it came to tourists who dined at the restaurant.  During the evening, Mrs.Thielen told me to attend to a table and observe as Mr.Thielen was to prepare his famous Liquor Sabayon at the table. As I observed he raised a brow and growled angrily under his breath. “Get back to work!”  I didn’t bother explaining why I was observing despite the fact that Marlies told me to do so; I immediately departed from the dining area. The same thing would occur when she told me to observe how the prawns were being prepared in the kitchen. “What? Don’t just stand there get out of my kitchen and do your job!” This time I said out loudly “Marlies told me to observe the making of the prawns” – I don’t care, GET OUT OF MY KITCHEN!” he shouted. I couldn’t bear this kind of attitude, let alone abuse any longer. That evening I cycled home quietly thinking about how this ridiculous restaurant treats and humiliates its staff. It was late into the night or early morning as it was, I was completely exhausted. As I arrived home, the house was completely dark and everyone was asleep. I went into the kitchen to find my dinner wrapped up and neatly presented on my mother’s best china, I thought ‘Now this is restaurant quality, Ha!’ After enjoying the meal, however cold, I went upstairs to my study with a cup of hot cocoa and recorded the day’s events in my journal, after which I crashed on my bed and went straight to sleep.

The next morning I received a telephone call from guess who? Yep, Mr.Thielen, he told me to come to the restaurant immediately to bring some papers that needed to be signed. When I arrived, the kitchen was full of people, most likely friends of Evert and Marlies, they were testing dishes of course and as I entered the kitchen he looked at me, snatched the papers out of my hand and said very loudly in front of everyone. “God forbid, you reek bad kid!” I was then led into his little dusty office where he signed the papers with his cheap but ‘expensive looking’ pen, he told me to leave out the backdoor as he didn’t want me upsetting the people testing the dishes. At that moment he left the room and I took a deep breath and exhaled calmly. I disobeyed his command and went through the door I entered, and of course he noticed but I didn’t care. As I stepped outside I told myself that I will never return to this wretched place again for it was a working place of deceit and terror. The rumours had proven to be true and unlike many, I wasn’t going to tolerate it. I left the restaurant without notice and never went back ever again. No human-being is fit to work there under Thielen’s standards. I reported his aggressive behaviour towards me but it went unnoticed. As of that moment I vowed that if I was ever be treated in such a manner again, irrespective of whom you are and what you do, I will always be prepared to stand my ground.

All my life I have been taught to have and show respect to others, and like an aristocratic gentleman should, I have shown nothing but decent kindness to everyone and I will continue to exercise this small duty that costs so little. As a reference, de Gertruda Hoeve is not a place of interest in my mind, the food is horrible, the owners are disgraceful and terribly rude and the restaurant itself is a deceiving picture of tranquillity and a countryside heaven.