Snippets from South Africa

Watching an Arte programme on water projects in South African villages:

Comment: 'Yah, it'll be great to have water. But you know we have had so many projects and so many promises. I'll only be happy when I see the water'. Oh, the story of aid projects and promises - someone should do statistics on ...promises not met by international projects. It would be frightening!

Scene: In someone's house. A health worker gives education about health and hygiene. 'See this picture here - what is the man doing?' 'He is going to the toilet'. 'What is the chicken doing?' 'It is following him'. 'What is the woman doing?' 'She is giving her child a drink of water'. 'Where is the chicken?' 'On the edge of the water bucket'. ..... 'You must from now on pen in your chickens so they do not spread disease everywhere'. In the background, by the open door, a trio of chickens is scratching, listening aghast, no doubt.

Comment a bit later: 'Parents these days, they do not like it if someone scolds their children. Only they themselves are allowed to scold their children'. Globalisation of stroppy parents?