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Blog Details for "Gerrie Hugo"
Gerrie HugoGerrie HugoAfrica Will Always Break Your Heart is the title of my book. My blog is aimed at people with a sense of humour but I do address issues like the current situation in South Africa
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Articles
Marketing Medicine for Maniacs
2007-09-04 10:06:00 It takes a special type of person to not only read the enclosed instructions in any form of medication but to actually understand it. No doubt hypochondriacs stand to gain the most out of these detailed instructions as they spell out all the symptoms associated with the ailment. It conjures up an image of a person memorising symptoms to use the next time he sees a doctor.But to get back to the medication; you first buy it, then read the instructions and realise, yup; this is definitely what I’m suffering from, so I need this treatment. It’s a good thing I bought it.That however, is not the issue I want to address. My problem is that even something serious as medication falls prey to advertising jargon that just confuses the consumer.Let’s take the Nicotinell I’m currently using in my effort to stop smoking as an example. A listed side effect is mild diarrhoea.What is a mild diarrhoea and how did they ascertain that?Was a survey conducted and they then just used the opinions ... More About: Marketing , Medicine , Medici , Mania
My Week
2007-09-03 12:44:00 This week saw the completion of some major dental work. I decided that it’s time to make use of the Swedish Health Care system and had some bridgework done. It took my dentist the better part of four months to complete the exercise and I must say that I am suitably impressed.One negative however, is that she told me to stop smoking immediately. I left her chair with my mind made up. I decided to change dentist and continue doing so until I find one that smokes as well because my love affair with tobacco is too intense and go back a long way. I think I stopped smoking for the first time at the age of 6 and only then because my father gave me a serious thrashing.To cut a long story short; I am now on day four without a cigarette and it’s not a pleasant exercise at all. I’m cutting up plastic straws and using them as placebos. I've used approximately 2445 but who’s counting. I’m also using Nicotinell lozenges to try and keep the craving for nicotine under control. One of the... More About: Week
My Week
2007-09-03 12:44:00 This week saw the completion of some major dental work. I decided that it’s time to make use of the Swedish Health Care system and had some bridgework done. It took my dentist the better part of four months to complete the exercise and I must say that I am suitably impressed.One negative however, is that she told me to stop smoking immediately. I left her chair with my mind made up. I decided to change dentist and continue doing so until I find one that smokes as well because my love affair with tobacco is too intense and go back a long way. I think I stopped smoking for the first time at the age of 6 and only then because my father gave me a serious thrashing.To cut a long story short; I am now on day four without a cigarette and it’s not a pleasant exercise at all. I’m cutting up plastic straws and using them as placebos. I've used approximately 2445 but who’s counting. I’m also using Nicotinell lozenges to try and keep the craving for nicotine under control. One of the... More About: Week
The Best Defence is To Attack (Then)
2007-09-01 10:52:00 Excerpt no 5: Africa Will Always Break Your HeartWe had some weird and wonderful neighbours. We only saw the woman next door when we played soccer or cricket in the street and one of our balls had soared into her yard. She must have sat sentinel everyday. She would be out in a flash, cut the ball in half and throw the pieces back at us.My friend Edward lived across the road from her. When I started High School he was one grade senior than my eldest brother. Edward failed his exams so many times that he finished school with me. When his dad had drunk enough wine at night to be out for the count we used to steal his car, a DKW. The DKW had a distinctive sound and made a hell of a racket so we worked our asses off pushing it as far as possible down the street before starting it. We had some great joyrides in this vehicle — always managing to evade the local traffic cop who was on the lookout for us. Edward was a hairy bugger and would cover his upper lip with sticky plaster to hide t... More About: Defence , Attack , Then , Atta
The Best Defence is To Attack (Then)
2007-09-01 10:52:00 Excerpt no 5: Africa Will Always Break Your HeartWe had some weird and wonderful neighbours. We only saw the woman next door when we played soccer or cricket in the street and one of our balls had soared into her yard. She must have sat sentinel everyday. She would be out in a flash, cut the ball in half and throw the pieces back at us.My friend Edward lived across the road from her. When I started High School he was one grade senior than my eldest brother. Edward failed his exams so many times that he finished school with me. When his dad had drunk enough wine at night to be out for the count we used to steal his car, a DKW. The DKW had a distinctive sound and made a hell of a racket so we worked our asses off pushing it as far as possible down the street before starting it. We had some great joyrides in this vehicle — always managing to evade the local traffic cop who was on the lookout for us. Edward was a hairy bugger and would cover his upper lip with sticky plaster to hide t... More About: Defence , Attack , Then , Atta
A Verbal Laxative called The Peoples Republic of South Africa
2007-08-29 11:15:00 A fundamental revolutionary lesson:The enemy manouevres (sic) but it remains the enemy / Part IThe ANC must depend on itself to defend and advance the democratic revolution!I’ve been reading Thabo Mbeki’s letter to the nation part1 as on ANC Today with a growing unease. The same unease a diarrhoea sufferer experiences when starting a fart and realising that he is nowhere near a toilet, dressed in white trousers and in a crowd.At first glance it is a well written piece of rhetoric but after a few more reads the feeling of trepidation grows stronger and stronger. I had this feeling before; when I watched the planes crash into the World Trade Centre on television. I then told my boy to watch as history was forever changed in front of our eyes.First of all the president repeatedly addresses a “democratic revolution.” I have no idea what this means and to further confuse the issue he describes it as an ongoing event. The only reasonable conclusion I can draw from it is that first... More About: Africa , South Africa , South , Peoples , Republic
A Verbal Laxative called The Peoples Republic of South Africa
2007-08-29 11:15:00 A fundamental revolutionary lesson:The enemy manouevres (sic) but it remains the enemy / Part IThe ANC must depend on itself to defend and advance the democratic revolution!I’ve been reading Thabo Mbeki’s letter to the nation part1 as on ANC Today with a growing unease. The same unease a diarrhoea sufferer experiences when starting a fart and realising that he is nowhere near a toilet, dressed in white trousers and in a crowd.At first glance it is a well written piece of rhetoric but after a few more reads the feeling of trepidation grows stronger and stronger. I had this feeling before; when I watched the planes crash into the World Trade Centre on television. I then told my boy to watch as history was forever changed in front of our eyes.First of all the president repeatedly addresses a “democratic revolution.” I have no idea what this means and to further confuse the issue he describes it as an ongoing event. The only reasonable conclusion I can draw from it is that first... More About: Africa , South Africa , South , Peoples , Republic
”Sigh!”
2007-08-26 20:57:00 With a heavy heart and eyes brimming with tears I am pruning my friends’ lists on both Facebook and Myspace.I am forced to do this because I have to face reality.He does not care about me. I was just a one-night stand. No matter that I hung onto his every word and every drag he took from his pipe. I worshipped him but he does not call and he does not write. He did not even send me a sms to thank me for the cuddly teddy bear gift I sent him on Facebook. I tried to give him moral support with the hard times he is experiencing but he just brushes me aside.It is not that he has not got the time. How busy can one be steering South Africa off a cliff, defending Robert Mugabe and your Minister for Health? He clearly does not care about me.Thabo Mbeki, you brought this one yourself! I’m not your friend anymore and don’t expect a Christmas card either.Let this be a lesson to all. Never fall for short men. They will break your heart. More About: Sigh
”Sigh!”
2007-08-26 20:57:00 With a heavy heart and eyes brimming with tears I am pruning my friends’ lists on both Facebook and Myspace.I am forced to do this because I have to face reality.He does not care about me. I was just a one-night stand. No matter that I hung onto his every word and every drag he took from his pipe. I worshipped him but he does not call and he does not write. He did not even send me a sms to thank me for the cuddly teddy bear gift I sent him on Facebook. I tried to give him moral support with the hard times he is experiencing but he just brushes me aside.It is not that he has not got the time. How busy can one be steering South Africa off a cliff, defending Robert Mugabe and your Minister for Health? He clearly does not care about me.Thabo Mbeki, you brought this one yourself! I’m not your friend anymore and don’t expect a Christmas card either.Let this be a lesson to all. Never fall for short men. They will break your heart. More About: Sigh
The Cango Valley, Affairs and Fantasies (1968 - 1973)
2007-08-26 10:12:00 Excerpt no 4: Africa Will Always Break Your Heart...We discovered popular music. In Geoff’s case, The Beatles and Creedence Clearwater Revival while I was leaning more towards Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and Cat Stevens. We drove the old man insane with our newly discovered ‘satanic’ influence. He initially did not allow us to play any of it while he was around. But he soon learnt that all of our friends listened to it as well and only then did he grudgingly accept it. Geoff became a good guitarist. I think the old man was silently very proud of him.We did holiday jobs as guides at the ostrich farms and the Cango Caves. We got well paid and were therefore esteemed by our peers. We bought our own clothes and fended for ourselves.Family life was more relaxed. In an honest effort of reconciliation mom was not having any affairs. We had friends over. Most of them liked our folks as they came across as carefree and liberal. Dad had a wry sense of humour and treated our friends a lot be... More About: Affairs , Valley , Fantasies
The Cango Valley, Affairs and Fantasies (1968 - 1973)
2007-08-26 10:12:00 Excerpt no 4: Africa Will Always Break Your Heart...We discovered popular music. In Geoff’s case, The Beatles and Creedence Clearwater Revival while I was leaning more towards Deep Purple, Uriah Heep and Cat Stevens. We drove the old man insane with our newly discovered ‘satanic’ influence. He initially did not allow us to play any of it while he was around. But he soon learnt that all of our friends listened to it as well and only then did he grudgingly accept it. Geoff became a good guitarist. I think the old man was silently very proud of him.We did holiday jobs as guides at the ostrich farms and the Cango Caves. We got well paid and were therefore esteemed by our peers. We bought our own clothes and fended for ourselves.Family life was more relaxed. In an honest effort of reconciliation mom was not having any affairs. We had friends over. Most of them liked our folks as they came across as carefree and liberal. Dad had a wry sense of humour and treated our friends a lot be... More About: Affairs , Valley , Fantasies
NOT Fit to Govern 2
2007-08-25 12:32:00 Factbook on Global Sexual ExploitationSouth Africa"...The number of violent crimes against women and children has risen dramatically since the ANC came into power in 1994, says National Party. The number of rapes in South Africa had increased by 23% since 1996...""...Health officials in South Africa say adolescent girls are twice as likely to become infected with HIV as boys, a reflection of increased sexual activity, often unwilling, with older men. Mamelato Leopeng, an AIDS counselor at the Esselen Street Health Center in Johannesburg, said about one-third of the HIV-infected men she encounters have bought into the belief that sex with a virgin will cure them, and they are further convinced that the needed "dose of purity" is rendered ineffective with a condom. (Dean E. Murphy, "Africa’s Silent Shame," Los Angeles Times, 16 August 1998)The desire to "get back at women" is the most common reaction among men when they are first told they are HIV-positive, says Mamelato Leopeng, an...
NOT Fit to Govern 2
2007-08-25 12:32:00 Factbook on Global Sexual ExploitationSouth Africa"...The number of violent crimes against women and children has risen dramatically since the ANC came into power in 1994, says National Party. The number of rapes in South Africa had increased by 23% since 1996...""...Health officials in South Africa say adolescent girls are twice as likely to become infected with HIV as boys, a reflection of increased sexual activity, often unwilling, with older men. Mamelato Leopeng, an AIDS counselor at the Esselen Street Health Center in Johannesburg, said about one-third of the HIV-infected men she encounters have bought into the belief that sex with a virgin will cure them, and they are further convinced that the needed "dose of purity" is rendered ineffective with a condom. (Dean E. Murphy, "Africa’s Silent Shame," Los Angeles Times, 16 August 1998)The desire to "get back at women" is the most common reaction among men when they are first told they are HIV-positive, says Mamelato Leopeng, an...
These People are NOT Fit to Govern
2007-08-25 12:14:00 South Africa a major player in human trafficking"Poverty is the major contributing factor in ‘sexploitation’. Anthony is in charge of a project to free young women trapped in prostitution in Atlantis, an area in Cape Town. She says girls, sometimes as young as four, are drawn into the sex work industry.""While the government has acknowledged the problem, it has yet to commit itself to solving it. So it is left to non-governmental organisations to do the best they can." More About: People , These
These People are NOT Fit to Govern
2007-08-25 12:14:00 South Africa a major player in human trafficking"Poverty is the major contributing factor in ‘sexploitation’. Anthony is in charge of a project to free young women trapped in prostitution in Atlantis, an area in Cape Town. She says girls, sometimes as young as four, are drawn into the sex work industry.""While the government has acknowledged the problem, it has yet to commit itself to solving it. So it is left to non-governmental organisations to do the best they can." More About: People
What a Farking Farce!
2007-08-25 09:32:00 A fierce debate is raging in South Africa as to whether the Sunday Times had the right to expose the Minister for Health’s medical records for the sake of public interest. The right of the people to know is weighed up against doctor-patient privilege. Even academics and usually sane people are involved in this furore. As sure as God made little apples this will end up in a court battle that should lead to the dismissal of either the minister or the editor but I am not holding my breath as to either eventuality. I can just picture the legal representation of all parties concerned rubbing their hands together in anticipation of the fees involved.In the blue corner we have the Sunday Times and the red corner the government and more specifically the Minister for Health. A woman who fails to realise that she will be much better served if she can just keep her yap shut for a few minutes at any given time.Hey Manto! Do you honestly believe that the rest of the world considers you as some... More About: Farce
Fraud, Deception and Depravation
2007-08-23 11:16:00 I have mailed a draft of this article to the deputy editor of a regional newspaper in South Africa 24 hours ago. I clearly stated that I will post it on my Blog if they do not respond within a reasonable time. I have not named the paper as yet, but if no response is forthcoming by the end of the workday on Friday, August 24th, 2007 I will do so. I will also approach the press ombudsman in South Africa, the owners of the newspaper and post all relevant correspondence as wide as possible on the World Wide Web. It is high time that the normal man in the street be heard.One of the things South African society is known for is their callousness towards victims and specifically victims of violent crime. The attitude of their police force towards rape victims illustrates this. A few other aspects that comes to mind is the governmental stance on supplying anti-retroviral drugs to HIV/AIDS sufferers and lack of involvement with the plight of sexually abused children. Society as a whole is so ... More About: Fraud , Deception , Rava
The Nightmare of a Child
2007-08-21 17:34:00 In the middle of the night we were woken up by heart rendering sobs coming from the room of our 9 year old. I dragged myself out of bed to see what was wrong. The child was absolutely devastated and I got the dream out of him in panting little sobs. It went like this:“Gerrie, I dreamt of a terribly cruel leader of a far-away country. Nobody knew exactly how cruel this man was because he could hide it very well. Nobody actually wanted to believe that this man was capable of such cruelty. He was the pre-destined ruler of the country and was groomed and schooled by reasonable people to one day take charge. When he came to power he also practiced a policy of silence diplomacy so nobody could question his motives because he would not respond.A couple of years before this man came to power a terrible disease struck the people of his country. Scientists warned the world of this horrible illness and started research to look for an effective medicine. Soon they had prototypes of medicine ... More About: Nightmare , Child
Still Trying
2007-08-21 11:20:00 Posted on BNN on August 20th, 2007 and titled "Current Affairs South Africa: The Week that Was: 2"As usual the Mail & Guardian cartoon by Zapiro sums it up quite nicely. (See top of page)There are plenty valid reasons to call for and insist on an immediate termination of the ANC government in South Africa. Even their staunch allies, the Swedes, now turn their backs on the ANC.That alone should be reason for some serious introspection. Let us however push the known reasons aside and list a few more that are probably a lot more sinister.It is deemed fit to prosecute a few “apartheid” offenders. That is fine and probably long overdue but at the same time files of ANC leaders who were denied amnesty by the TRC are now missing.This does not say much for reconciliation and if true, I begin to side with the white people who believe that there is an orchestrated campaign against them.In the event of somebody else having a valid different opinion then I would like to hear about it.The go...
Just A Thought
2007-08-21 08:51:00 Maybe it's better for me sitting on the sidelines to make an observation. I am fortunate not to be bombarded daily by farcical political antics in South Africa.Something is wrong with the ANC government's approach to the investigation of "alleged" misconduct by the Minister for Health."This mirrored earlier responses on the matter by the Presidency. Spokesperson Mukoni Ratshitanga earlier on Monday said the Presidency would not launch an investigation into the matter until the evidence was produced." Mail & Guardian.They first want evidence before they investigate!From watching TV I've learnt that evidence is a result of an investigation.They don't want evidence. They want to know who the sources are so that they can use their Intelligence Agencies to try to discredit and intimidate the ones who were brave enough to speak out.These politicians should watch a bit more TV and spend less time scheming how to hide incompetence before they come up with crap like this but I guess ... More About: Thought
How to Recognise a Swede Part 5
2007-08-20 11:57:00 1. After realising that someone is standing on their foot in the subway, they think it best not to say anything at all and maybe cough or nod a little in order to attract attention.2. They are stuck in front of their TV’s watching curling during every Olympic Games.3. They actually understand the rules of curling.4. They have been accused of being from Switzerland, repeatedly.5. They never use public transport without a valid ticket even though it’s ridiculously overpriced.6. They can not see why the 1st floor they walk into should be called anything but the 1st floor and the next one up the 2nd and so on. They get confused by this with every multi-storey building they enter.7. They look forward all year round to August when they gather their friends, put on stupid paper hats, drink vodka, sing and eat crayfish.8. They don’t mind ladies using the men’s bathroom in clubs if the queue to the ladies is too long.9. They all love Carola and know almost all her songs by heart even... More About: Part
More Plain Truth
2007-08-19 10:37:00 An extract from a letter by Peter Karaszi as published in the Sunday Times dated Aug 19, 2007."Soiling the struggle"The editor of the leading Swedish daily Expressen writes, regarding the sacking of Nozizwe Madlala-Routledge, that “the ANC has certainly soiled the struggle that crushed apartheid”.When previously staunch allies like Sweden turn their back on the ANC, then something is seriously wrong. And it is not only the HIV/Aids mess that raises eyebrows around the world. The ANC government’s refusal to criticise African dictators like Robert Mugabe and the recent perceived witchhunt of apartheid leaders — “Hey, weren’t you guys supposed to be reconciled?” — all contribute to the erosion of the enormous international goodwill that South Africa had built up during the Nelson Mandela era... More About: Truth , Plain , Ruth
The Plain Truth
2007-08-19 10:22:00 An extract from an article by Dr Lucas Ntyintyane of Cresta as published in the Sunday Times dated Aug 17, 2007."Criticism bolsters democracy"...Advocate Christine Qunta has declared it heresy for any black person to criticise the government of the day. To do so is worse than being a racist and you would belong to the “right-wing” agenda.Difficult as all this may be to fathom, these are the beliefs of Qunta, who is, by the way, an inspiration to many of us, and a struggle hero.Nevertheless, coerced silence is contrary to the principle and spirit of democracy. Blind loyalty to party leaders is the reason for the flourishing of dictatorships — and Africa’s economic stagnation... More About: Truth , Plain , Ruth
I am a Racist
2007-08-18 14:46:00 Sigh!..why am I not surprised to have this accusation levelled at me?In the past I have been accused of fuelling anti-white sentiments so it probably figures. Rather practice "silent diplomacy" like thabo mbeki (lower cases intended - read my previous post in this regard) and have no opinion on anything. I actually believe that this was a term thought out by his political advisors who warned him "do not have an opinion on anything at all as it might incriminate you."The source however, is somewhat surprising as it comes from a politically correct liberal and saw the light because I dared to address political incompetence bordering on criminal insanity. Nowhere in any of my posts did I ridicule any other race or ethnic group. This person made race an issue, not me. Maybe my observations are starting to cut too close to the bone. I shudder to think that this person is a teacher and responsible for influencing fertile young minds.I am also trying to address the plight of all the law-ab... More About: Racist
Current Affairs South Africa: Sexually Abused Children
2007-08-18 09:58:00 This article nearly did not see the light. It was written in ice cold anger. Researching this topic had me seething and kicking inanimate objects all over the house. This is intolerable. Belonging to different cultures are not an excuse for inhumane attitudes and practises. We all live in the 21st century and should be judged and treated accordingly. To expect me to have an accommodating politically correct approach when addressing where the blame lies does not wash. I will however, now, refrain from doing so as I fear that my feelings of disgust will diminish the significance of the facts I need to bring to your attention. I will address the blame at a later stage.I quote liberally from a well researched document of The infant trust. I am not going to list their sources as I want this post to be read and not be considered as “yet another boring research” document. (The sources as well as the full document are available on request) I also take the liberty to edit their document ... More About: Children , Africa , South Africa , Current , South
How to Recognise a Swede Part 4
2007-08-16 19:11:00 1. They take their shoes off when entering a house and don't understand why non-Swedes find that funny.2. They have a tendency to make Swedish verbs out of English nouns and do not consider it slang or grammatically incorrect. This leads to a language called Swenglish.3. They don't even realise that they use Swenglish whenever they address Swedish people.4. They consider Denmark and the Danes as "rather continental."5. They think they understand Danish.6. The Danes think they understand Danish.7. Ultimately, when spoken, they don't really understand Danish.8. They can survive on just fish and prawns and still manage to have a different dish for every meal for a month. They even put it in cake.9. They are obsessed with health issues. Everything is bad unless it comes from Sweden, in which case its ok.10. Making fun of Norway is considered a national institution and vice versa. More About: Part
I am Begging
2007-08-16 12:24:00 I have a few causes that I promote with a passion.I am begging the good people in cyberspace not to turn a blind eye to the plight of Sexually Abused Children in South Africa.This is a charity well worth supporting.No exact figures are available, mainly because of political indifference, but an estimated 1 million infants and small children are raped or abused annually in South Africa.Please help!
The Good Old Days
2007-08-15 17:33:00 Where have they gone?The days when Presidents of the USA screwed around instead of being screwed by a cave-dweller.When it was understood by a president that soldiers actually fight and die when sent to war. What on earth did Bush, his supporters and advisors expect? That the people of Iraq will roll over and play dead? Even the most docile dog will snap at the hand that tries to shove a cactus up its arse. Invasion and occupation of a country is not a corporate take-over. I just need to point that out as George W Bush seem to have a problem with grasping the concept.When a lynch-mob forcibly removed a thief from jail and solved the problem, permanently, there and then. Horse thieves were hung because their actions threatened the existence of the victims. Exactly what is the difference between the anc politicians who steal from the tax-payers and threaten the lives of law-abiding citizens with lack of health care, policing and implementing laws that marginalise the minority and a ho... More About: Days , Good , Good Old Days , The Good , The Go
By The Way
2007-08-14 19:33:00 I see that ronald suresh roberts have come up for air long enough to respond to his critics.
General Information
More articles from this author:2007-08-14 18:16:00 I have made an executive decision for this blog. Henceforth I will not use or tolerate the use of uppercase when referring to the african national congress or any of their political leaders as well as others that irritate me. I believe that this practise leads to undeserved credit. This should be seen as the first guideline for comments on this blog. More About: Information , General 1, 2 |
