South African News

Here are the South African headlines since I've been here:

1) The Jacob Zuma rape trial. Seems to be a repeat of the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill trial, with a very prominent public official in a sensationalist spotlight. That public official is Jacob Zuma, the Deputy President of South Africa, who has long been thought of as the likely successor to current President Thabo Mbecki, who had succeeded none other than Nelson Mandela. Zuma's accuser is apparently a long-time family friend who thought of Zuma as her "uncle" who claims she was awoken from her sleep and raped while sleeping at his house. Zuma initially denied the claims of having sex with her outright but later changed to state that the sex was consensual. The defense council has also made a big issue out of the accuser's past, as she has apparently accused others of rape three other times without a lot of evidence. As in most public rape cases I've seen in the 'States, it's very difficult to tell who is telling the truth.

2) An epic cricket match in which South Africa defeated Australia by a narrow margin which the South African newspapers have proclaimed "The Greatest Cricket Game Ever." I actually watched the end of this game on our hotel T.V. a few days back and had no idea what the hell was going on other than the fans and announcers were going absolutely nuts.

3) A new 2000-rand (the equivalent of about $400 U.S.) fine being levied against people caught throwing their stumpies out the window. What are stumpies you ask? CIGARETTE BUTTS! There is a growing concern about causing forest fires in the bush, which has been unusually dry due to a mild drought in this part of South Africa. My Dad, whose major pet peeve is people who unabashedly throw their cigarette butts out the window in America, would be proud of such a policy, and I can't say that I disagree.

Today's a "free day"--nothing planned! I think I may try and arrange a tour to Robben Island, or perhaps just rent a bike and explore the city.