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:
- The plastic beret bag looks like the Hindenburg – too much hot air
- A successful impersonation of Bugs Bunny (despite too little hair)
- 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).
- 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
Hahaha – well
Done with your costumes and the post thoughts for display – 😂
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Thanks Yvette. Part of treating madness is by acknowledging that I sometimes am 🙂
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Hahaha
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Sal vir jou stem… net as jy lyk soos in jou swart klere.
Seënwense vir jou en jou gesin oor die Kersgety.
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Dankie Kameel, ek het pas ‘n swart hemp gaan aantrek! Geseende Kersfees vir jou ook. Ek neem aan jy is nie weer hierdie Kersfees in die Knysna omgewing nie?
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Onthou daardie gesig by die hemp!!! Hierdie jaar is Kersfees in Pretoria ons voorland. There is no better place than home…. sê hulle. 🤔
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Kameel bere vir Camilla!
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Dink jy Camilla gaan haarself laat bêre???
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🙂
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I laughed so hard, I lost for words for a while, am still laughing. No, it’s not arrogant, it is brilliant to put your views on display!!!
Thank you so much for this cool post, Abrie!
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Thanks Amy glad you enjoyed the display (‘Tis the season to be jolly Fa la la la la, la la la la)
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Merry Christmas to you and yours, my friend! 🙂
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And to you Amy
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You have my vote.
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Thank you kind sir
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Ha ha! Clever and FUN!!
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Thanks John (‘Tis the season to be jolly Fa la la la la, la la la la) and part of treating madness is by acknowledging that I sometimes am 🙂
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An injection of what we all need in these trying times – a lovely read.
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Thank you Anne glad you enjoyed it
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Abrie for President! Now that is a candidacy I could get behind (if I were So African of course😊). Very creative (if slightly hairbrained) post Abrie, I too laughed out loud and had to read it twice to fully enjoy all of the nuances (having never Heard of any of the real politicians). If yours are like ours, they too must be able to talk out of both sides of their mouths, pandering to whomever they are addressing at the
moment. I say we scrub them all and start over!!!
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Apologies for only responding now. A president has a lot to do 🙂 🙂
Glad to notice that I am getting a few votes for becoming a stand up comedian I mean politician. Is there a difference? Glad you enjoyed it Tina. Initially our previous president Jacob Zuma sweet talked everybody saying totally conflicting things depending who the audience is, until nobody believed him anymore, including non-corrupt members of his own party.
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I’d vote for you as the Auntie 🙂 🙂 But I suppose I should ask about your policies first.
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Thanks Jo, you will have to vote for me because I am such a beautiful auntie as the policies are baloney
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PS. And Happy Christmas to you and your beautiful girls Abrie
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Thanks Tina same to you and yours
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I’d love to vote for a “beaming president Abrie”! Who would not want a smart, warm hearted and humorous president? Thank you for the creative display, Abrie, and Happy Holidays to you and your lovely family!
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Thank you, not sure if the humour will restore confidence in the economy but a beaming I will be despite a beating at indexes. Happy holidays to you and your family as well Anne-Christine
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♥♥♥
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Kostelik en skerp en wys. Jy verryk mens se leefwêreld en denke. Ek kan nie ophou lag nie, daai Gucci pet🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
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Ek voel diep ge-afronteer dat jy vir my Gucci pet lag. Ek het baie betaal daarvoor!! Dankie vir die wonderlike kommentaar en geseende Kersfees as ek jou nie weer in blogosfeer raakloop voor dan nie.
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Haha ek het dit nou geniet, sal eder vir jou stem
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Baie dankie hier kom my politieke loopbaan 🙂
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Haha.. first time I visit your site, at least I think so, and you made me sit here in front of my computer with a big smile! Thanks for that and I wish you All the best from Malta! 😀
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Hi Anita. If not the first time you have visited, is the first time you have commented. Thank you very much I appreciate it. Computer screens like it a lot if they see people with big smiles. I must be a family of them because I also like to see those smiles. All the best from Cape Town South Africa
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You have my vote, Abrie. I was laughing out loud at your wonderful post. Fabulous. I think my favorite is you as “auntie.” Love it!
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Hoe lekker lag ek nou, Abrie!
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Dan het ek in my doel geslaag Aletta – dankie
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Your impersonations are hilarious Abrie. I enjoyed them all and thanks for the laugh especially in these times when there isn’t always much to laugh about.
Best to you and yours for a wonderful and happy Christmas.
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Cooooooool!
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Fabulous stuff Abrie, you’d get our vote any time!
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Truly appreciative your loyal support and I didn’t even kiss a baby!
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Ek hou altyd van jou humor Abrie!
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Dankie Seegogga
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