On display – Been there – Done that

This week Amy of the esteemed  Lens-Artist quartet notices all the things which are On display, during holiday season. Amy I must apologize for misinterpreting your challenge, as my post focuses on politicians (and a certain blogger) being On display.

The United Kingdom just had an election while the son of the Soil’s party (see underneath), at the same time had a conference. Politicians inevitably put themselves on display.

From Tina’s post I read this quote from a song I’ve never heard (but have since listened to), written by Paul McCartney. The lines in brackets are my translation.

• Buy, buy, says the sign in the shop window;      
• Why, why, says the junk in the yard.  

• (Vote, vote, says the politician a’drool)
•  (Why, why, you blabbering fool)

I am not saying politicians are junk or fools, but the things they sometimes say and/or tweet… But no I am not here to bludgeon any politician from Africa or abroad. Fact of the matter, the teenage version of Abrie wanted to become a politician. I wrote slogans, drew political cartoons, studied speeches and party manifestos.  I delivered propaganda material with my bicycle door to door and put up those posters. I argued with everybody who were prepared to oppose me even telling a friend with different political views: “say something so I can prove you wrong”.

The teenage version of me would have irritated the living daylights out of the current version. At university I was exposed to much wider schools of thought (and girls!) and my limited teenage world fortunately imploded as I became able to discuss life itself of which politics are only a subdivision.

However during the South African National election earlier this year, lingering in the back of my mind arose a teenage Abrie wandering how it would feel to be a political leader, which gave me a hair brained idea. After doing intensive research I can report back – it is very tough on your smile muscles. Do not be a politician when the political posters are due to be photographed. Been there – done that. I am on display and have been all them politicians in one day.  I also came to the conclusion that I cannot be a politician – my teeth are not impressive enough…

You can choose if the impersonations have some merit or vote me out as an imposter at play.

It is interesting how politicians are displayed on these posters. Patricia de Lille is a strong confrontational woman, yet she is portrayed as the good auntie next door. Musi Maimane smiles very easily but on the poster as the leader of the opposition at the time, he is carrying the worries of South Africa. Son of the soil or spoiled son? The displays are in the order of the parties receiving the most votes.

⇓Beaming president Abrie. While the hue of our skins may be different our silhoeëtte is similar. And anyway in Rainbow nation South Africa colour doesn’t play a role and I can proof it. At a traffic light people from all races, colours and creeds, ignores the colour of the traffic lights!

Cyril Ramaphosa (the one on the left of course)

⇓Naturally this was the easiest pose of all. No acting, just my serious everyday drab look.

Musi Maimane and me

⇓ While this politician and his party members wear red overalls to parliament, he wears Louis Vuitton and Gucci accessories. Naturally my red shopping bag beret is a Gucci design.

Sons of the soil – Malema and me

The poster says: Now or never – Hit back, thus the boxing gloves. But in my perception this party leader does not have an arrogant hit back persona.

Hitting back

⇓I am such a lovable auntie, don’t you think?

Blooper reel:

1. The plastic beret bag looks like the Hindenburg – too much hot air
2. A successful impersonation of Bugs Bunny (despite too little hair)
3. Kojak in a pensive mood (at school looking at Kojak’s lollipop dome I would never have imagined that I would become a full-time impersonator of him).
4. Hair now – gone in sixty seconds

Even at school as a “political activist”,  I started realizing that it is easier to shoot your opponent down (for the junk they proclaim) than to defend your own party’s beliefs.  I also started to realize that what sounds wonderfully logical and extremely clever to loyal supporters, sounds like the biggest load of hogwash  to those critical of that opinion.  Being of teenager age thrice over, having some life experience, this applies to a lesser or greater extent to a lot of things in life.  I do not shout or tweet down other people’s views, but that does not necessarily mean that I agree with those views.  If my views in turn are shouted down I will stand up for what I believe in.  But it is certainly not wise to arrogantly put your views on display.

For other interpretations of ON DISPLAY visit Amy’s post

After Jesus was born in Bethlehem in Judea, during the time of King Herod, Magi from the east came to Jerusalem and asked, “Where is the one who has been born king of the Jews? We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  Matthew 2:1-2

For those celebrating Christmas have a wonderful time worshiping Christ