Thank goodness there is a thing called a pause button. Timely to hit it and put to one side for a moment.
Fortunately, in the current level 3 scenario of our lock down, one is able to spread those wings just a bit. A week ago, we did just that along with close friends, Brett and Lorraine Wilson Jones, when we left the confines of our homes for the first time in weeks and headed for the Schotia Safaris Private Game Reserve which abuts onto the eastern side of the Addo Park. This is an upmarket game park which caters primarily for the international market but the virus has virtually shut down their operations. In business, when backs are to the wall, one does what is necessary to ensure survival and Schotia have recalibrated and now target the local market. They have applied their minds to the challenge and, realising locals dont have the benefit of foreign currencies, the packages offered are extremely affordable. In our case for R200 per person, we were able to partake in a guided game drive, with our vehicles following
a game ranger vehicle. With a radio in each vehicle, we set off on a seriously enjoyable outing in pristine eastern cape bushveld. This 1600 ha reserve was once a farm but, a good one hundred years ago, the Bean family converted it to a natural park and stocked it with wild animals. The game viewing was exceptional and there was no evidence of social distancing as we encountered herds of buffalo, elephant and many of the antelope species, a pride of lion, a tower of giraffes, a pod of hippopotamus, a dazzle of zebra, a crash of rhino and a confusion of wildebeest. Our guide was able on radio to tack anecdotal stories onto the game viewing experience and this outing was a superb release from the repetitiveness of the lengthy lock down up to that point. Nature somehow brings perspective to our chaotic World and these animals were simply doing what they do, day in and day out, and that is to find enough food to eat and then keep a watchful eye for anything higher up in the food chain. They avoid dabbling in the crazy stuff humans gravitate towards and consequently their life is simpler and
purer. Anyone needing time out and an urge to go and embrace a bush experience, do not discount a day trip to Schotia 0836548511).
Back in the real World, there is plenty unfolding which will add to the depth of conversation around the campfire five years from now. America has gone crazy with massive upsurges in infections causing confusion and panic around what measures are needed to reverse the situation. The majority view across many states seems to be lets save the economy and accepting that there will be more deaths due to the virus not behaving as misguided political leaders led the population to believe. And then, the #blacklivesmatter movement has mutated into a rampage of destruction which targets any statue or person associated in the distant past with slavery. Thats what it is supposed to be about, but increasingly it seems there is little distinction as statues of those who were are ripped down. No one could ever condone slavery but where does one draw the line in terms of denigrating history? Many of the early Presidents and leaders owned slaves so does this mean that any and everything associated with these people
should be destroyed? Imagine the extent of cities, towns, streets etc., having to be renamed. Maybe those on the loony left see this as an opportunity to provide a nuclear charged boost to the economy by creating employment for thousands to tear down street signs, demolish statues and shred the currency given those whose faces are imprinted thereon. Rather than looking back at history and the distant past, these architects of destruction should turn their attention to slavery in our modern times. There were numerous reports in late 2017 of a migrant slave market operating openly in Libya. Thats almost a case of an inconvenient truth best avoided.
