Media Flaws

Yesterday I had the pleasure of listening to a Trevor Manuel who analogized any attack on the Dalai Lama as being the equivalent of shooting Bambi (Walt Disney’s adorable animated young deer). He then further stated that in March 1959 Tibet under the auspices of the Lama attempted an uprising against Beijing. Which failed.

So let’s be clear about the Dalai Lama’s intentions. The 28 of March 2009 – this Saturday – has been earmarked, by Tibetans, as the 50th Anniversary of their failed uprising. These celebrations were going to be staged on South Africa’s soil. Because they probably identified us, out of so many other countries in this world, as the more stupidly inclined to say ‘Ja Baas’ at anything celebrity-like. Come on now, why on earth would we be so gullible as to allow another man to forward their agenda under the guises of a Peace Conference? Do we not even question the fact that the Peace Conference falls slap bang on the day before their 50th Anniversary?

The Lama is said to have scheduled numerous lectures at various institutions once he’d landed in our country. So forget the Peace Conference the man was literally here to chant ’50 years later!’, ‘China Out!’, ‘Free Tibet’ rhetoric. South Africa’s Foreign Affairs minister confirmed this morning that the Lama is always welcome in South Africa, but just not now. At present we cannot afford to be a submissive state, letting a 73-year old man have his way with us by cultivating a climate of fear around our forthcoming World Cup.

This is the very same man who nearly halted the Beijing Olympics all because he levelled some vituperative statements against them in the past and even went as far as saying Beijing creates a climate of fear. There almost weren’t any Beijing Olympics. He would have obviously lambasted South Africa for having dealings with China and left us in a shady spotlight with international markets and potential visitors. How can we allow another man to come and defecate on our door-step?

The Lama has repeatedly been quoted demanding Tibet's "legitimate and meaningful autonomy". Which is all fair and well, but knowing the protests that usually follow the Lama’s ‘political’ chanting it would be wise to avoid such unrest until after the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Do not be fooled by the free-flowing spiritual gear and one-with-nature looks. It is said that all that glitters is not gold; therefore people should learn to take a much more informed approach before levelling criticism on our government of the day. Yes, at present it might seem like were shooting Bambi. But why not? Especially when Bambi has ulterior motives that could potentially ruin our 2010 harvest.

Sadly precociously conceived invitations from Nelson Mandela, Desmond Tutu and Frederik de Klerk have now put us on Tibetan hate-list, seeing as we declined them the opportunity to sing their gospel on our land. This is a China and Tibet issue. South Africa is still reeling from an apartheid hangover, so why on earth would we indulge in a Tibetan drinking binge so soon? There are bigger countries that can help them, not us, or at least until we’re over our own past.