The N.R.A. and the land of the alligators

One day a group of animal lovers lobbied for the right to keep alligators to protect their property against other people who had bigger alligators. 

It was illegal to keep alligators, although many people did so. The constitution of the country was amended to protect their right to own alligators. And so the animal lovers created an organisation called the National Reptile Association (NRA).

Being under no threat any more, the alligators multiplied in numbers. Some people had so many alligators that they could no longer feed them all. So the crocs escaped from their cages and disappeared into the swamps, rivers and dams.

Alligator owners were not worried, because they just made sure they had the biggest alligators in the neighbourhood.

Before long, the first attacks happened. Innocent people were attacked in their own homes. Crododiles are not good at distinguishing between friends and enemies. It was mostly the men’s alligators that attacked the wives and in some cases even the children.

When the first child got killed by a alligator, all hell broke loose. The media reported on the shocking attacks, but nobody blamed the alligators or their owners. They defended the second amendment to the constitution.

The NRA was very well organised at this stage and had a slick PR campaign in defence of the alligators. “Don’t touch our alligators. It’s not a alligator problem! We have a right to keep alligators to defend ourselves.”

They persuaded the government to remove all obstacles that could harm the alligator industry. The more alligators everyone had the safer the whole country would be, was the argument.

Alligator breeders made huge profits and became very, very rich. There was no restriction on who could own a alligator. Even a 12 year old could keep as many alligators as she wanted. 

Nobody could control the NRA and the alligators any longer. They became bigger and more aggressive. Brazen attacks became a daily reality — in homes, in nightclubs and public spaces. Their favourite feeding spots became schools and campuses. Scores of people died.

The students rose up, marched through the streets and shouted: Enough is enough!  But nobody heard. The lawmakers played golf. When asked for his comment, the President responded by sending more alligators to teachers to protect the rights of alligator owners.

Because it’s not a alligator problem, can’t you see?

Student protests in South Africa: Will that lead to real dialogue?

As thousands of students march on the Union Buildings today they come with a message: Take us seriously and understand that our future is at stake.

They are protesting because they are sick an tired of not being heard. So now students talk truth to power. Let us hope this leads to real change. But real change will only be sustained when there is real dialogue.

Dr Brigalia Bam wrote in 2012: "We may have been doing many remarkable things, but we seem to have unlearned the power of real dialogue, which has served us so well in the past. We confuse dialogue with robust debate, conferences and consultations, which leave most people deflated and disillusioned. Tired of talking and cynical about efforts to bring people together, we resort to radical tactics, blaming or withdrawal.

Our negative experiences of being in contested spaces where the battle for the supremacy of ideas destroys our ability to unite around a common vision are reinforcing a growing fatigue and a belief that it does not help to talk...

Our young democracy is now entering into a phase where we can no longer ignore the value of dialogue.

No longer can we rely on our struggle credentials and our past heroes. We need to become the heroes of today and tomorrow.

Our legacy should not be sought in monuments for fallen heroes, but in a united nation that unlocks the potential of all its people, especially the youth."

To this I say "Amen"!