CHICKENGATE

Tuesday, January 8, 2013

Guys,

We live in a crazy country.  Last night, before bed time I did my usual social network inspection to see if I've missed any newsworthy events, deaths, marriages, pregnancies or what the topic might be this week for the South Africans rant of the week.  Little did I know that I was about to be induced into a coma by laughter.  There was a hashtag called #ChickenGate and I couldn't resist. Clicked on the thread and found a reason to love living in South Africa. Please read the brillinat Kgopedi's timeline from the bottom up to get a taste of what the action was about and then start following her on Twitter. I see a TV series in the making.  


13h
& that was a neat recap of the . I think I'll slaughter tomorrow ☑
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14h
Lots of apologies as mtg is adjourned. Chair for making me explain myself. Mom for suspecting I'm practising "other things"
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14h
Mom apologised for Dad's behaviour & tells me she doesn't hate black people. Chair says she'll brief security tomorrow
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14h
Chair tells me this is a 1st in this complex. "We've never had to deal with a situation like this before". 
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14h
Conclusion: chair is going to put my suggestion on trial. Dad stormed out of mtg, saying something about govt. 
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14h
The chair wasn't too happy. Trustees had stopped shaking heads & squinting at this stage. Mom accused me of being difficult.
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14h
In any case, the security oke on duty on the day of the 'killing' becomes the automatic beneficiary of the head 
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14h
My idea: I will alert the security guard when I drive in with my beast/s. He can then alert ALL neighbours/viewers 
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14h
In the name of not wanting to start things I cannot see through & be accused of inconsistency+intolerance I made a suggestion
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14h
I refused. It's inconvenient. Chair asked we exchange numbers with the mom & next time I slaughter I give her a heads up.
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14h
After much ado about nothing Dad came back looking more vexed than when he left. Chair suggested I change my 'killing spot'
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14h
I explained this was going to be difficult as I 'kill' as I crave. Also had to explain I don't do routine killings 
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14h
"Atleast just tell me so I tell my son not to look or maybe take him to my cousin's house on the days you slaughter" Mom 
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14h
"I understand there's no law against your 'practice' but please can you warn us when you're going to kill the chickens" mom
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14h
Mom said she spoke to other neighbours who were also concerned & approached caretaker who told them there's nothing he can do
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14h
Dad went out with son. Chair asked mom to table her concerns. Mom asked me to be considerate. She went on to explain...
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14h
It is of pivotal importance that I let you know: of the 12 people present at the mtg. 4 are black(self +1) incl. 
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14h
Son stuggled to sleep for 'a while' after 'witnessing' this. The hole in the ground with blood became an issue all on its own. 
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14h
"Then she picked up the its head from the ground & went in her house" son. He started crying again si dad asked him to stop
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14h
"The lady then closed the hole in the ground with soil where she put the blood" son. At this point faces are contorting 
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14h
Mom held his hand while he shared details of how he saw me hold the headless chicken upside down with blood dripping from it
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15h
After much ado about nothing & them reminding me of options ie NOT slaughtering, the boy was then asked to share what he saw
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15h
I was then asked to 'share' why I 'observe this practice'. I did! It was brief. "I slaughter them because I need to eat them" 
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15h
After brief intro's the 'purpose of the mtg' was explained. It was quickly pointed out there's NO rule against slaughtering
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15h
All parties attended. Trustees, chair, complainant(mom to son), son, dad who doesn't live with them & your's truly+1 . 
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15h
I just came out of a mtg called by body corp because I slaughter chickens in the complex & a neighbour's son is traumatized.
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15h
 mtg out. Quickly hugging complainants. Will update just now.
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1:52 PM 1 comments

And the winner is: my conscience.

Monday, January 7, 2013

On Friday I published a post about a young girl who had sent me an email saying that she is a fashion designer who wanted to stock Mememe.  She had shown her designs to the people at Louis Vuitton and they had wrote back saying that her designs are great.  And that she had created 4 or 5 ranges already.  I found the email totally suspect and as much as the girl is being proactive, perhaps it would have been better if a guardian had sent it because the real world is a tough and sometimes horrible place, especially for children with big dreams.  It was hard to take seriously and honestly, I found the letter hilarious to say the least and I and a lot of you had a good laugh. That post had the 5th highest number of hits ever on this blog.  Anyway, one of the people that read it responded in a way that tapped into my conscience.  Christine wrote a comment saying shame on me and invariably, you guys for being mean to a 12 year old.  My initial response was to be defensive and say I have the right to publish what I think appropriate, which I do and I did.  After posting my first response to Christine, I tried to carry on with my day but I had this nudging feeling in my gut picturing that 12 year old girl feeling really horrible for having tried to make her dreams come true.  And I just couldn't do it. So I decided to take it down.  If I was a heartless bitch, then I would left it as is but honestly, I feel bad and in this case, I do care what people think so I took it down.  I am not trying to be Missmilli Bitch.  It was kinda mean of me to publish her letter, as shocking as it was, but in this case, maturity wins.  
11:11 AM 3 comments