Mzansi Afrika

Losing our unique identity

Indian traders in Diagonal Street in the inner city of Johannesburg have been given eviction notices as the area is being upgraded for the 2010 Soccer World Cup. The shop owners are pissed off because they have been renting their shops for generation after generation, also they feel that they braved the crime and grime of the inner city and stood by it while everyone else ran away, and now they're just being told to pack up and go.

I thinks it's absolutely disgusting to treat people like this - greedy building owners wanting to cash in on soccer money and make way for branded franchises. Those buildings have character, quaint old Indian shops, there are muti shops there - what a great tourist attraction. Now they want to knock the buildings down and make way for some bland architecture that makes Joburg look like any other city in the world.

Why can't they just upgrade the buildings and let the traders stay?

This is "The Museum of Man and Science", one of the many muti shops in Diagonal Street. The Joburg City website has a wonderful description:

"The 66-year-old museum (why it was originally called a museum seems lost in time) is a traditional muti or medicine shop in Diagonal Street. Walking in to the darkish interior you'll probably bump your head on the ceiling displays: hundreds of bits of dried skins, horns still attached to skins, bits of bones, ox hooves and tails, ostrich heads and feet, strings of beads, seed anklets, and straw hats.

Once you've had your fill of the ceiling display, you'll become aware of a pillar piled with horns and several dried carcasses of monkeys, another one with black and white tyre sandals. Then you'll notice the counters. One is filled with painted clay pots (used by traditional healers for storing the mixtures), interspersed with metal candelabras. The front of the counter is decorated with walking sticks and metal "church sticks" (used by priests of Zion veld churches); drums decorate the front of another."

This picture, and the one below,  I took some time ago of Diagonal Street. The blue glass building is where the old Stock Exchange used to be. It was taken late in the afternoon so the shops are all closed. As you can see the shop buildings are pretty run down, but they have so much character. I just love them.

This picture is of a residential apartment building. To me it's beautiful and full of character and history. It what makes Johannesburg Jozi and Joburg and gives us a sense of who we are and where we come from. What would tourists enjoy more - muti shop or McDonalds? Quaint historical buildings or bland modern architecture? I know which I prefer. If we lose all of this, we lose something of ourselves.

An interesting development

Apparently South Africa's second,third and fourth largest trade union federations are joining together to form what they have called a "giant labour federation." The federations are Fedusa (The Federation of Unions of South Africa), Nactu (The National Council of Trade Unions) and Consawu (Confederation of South Africa's Workers Unions). They are all currently independent of eachother and of Cosatu.

In July this year Consawu blamed Fedusa and Nactu for delaying on allowing it to join Nedlac (National Economic Development & Labour Council). Consawu said that by doing so, the two other federations were trying to get Consawu members to defect to Fedusa and Nactu. About three months ago Fedusa and Nactu committed themselves to a merger sometime this year, and now it seems that they have bought Consawu on board.

According to a July 2005 article in the Business Report "Fedusa has a membership of 550 000 from 20 affiliates, while Nactu has 350 000 members from 22 affiliates. Consawu has 24 affiliated unions with 226 148 members." Put these federations together and you get 1.2 million members.

The question is, could this new union federation be a serious threat or rival to Cosatu - will it be supporting Jacob Zuma? Well, according to the Business Report article, Fedusa, Nactu and Consawu all claim to be politically non-aligned. Cosatu also has the support of the SACP, but they only have around 36 000 members. It doesn't seem as if the new federation will be a serious political threat to Cosatu over the Zuma issue, or if Cosatu/SACP ever do decide to break way from the Alliance, but it could be a threat to Cosatu in terms of it's position in Nedlac. The same Business Report article mentions that Nedlac "is the forum for social dialogue comprising representatives from business, the government, labour and the community." Nedlac members are able to contribute to debates around socio economic issues and shape policy in South Africa.

Judging by Cosatu's press release on the issue, they are clearly concerned.

"The Congress of South African Trade Unions has noted the announcement of the formation tomorrow of a "giant labour federation" consisting of Fedusa, Nactu and Consawu.

COSATU has always supported the vision of one united trade union federation in South Africa. However this new initiative could have two possible outcomes:

The new federation may take the narrow, short-sighted position of becoming "a significant rival to Cosatu", as its media statement says. If they take that position, it will suggest that COSATU, rather than capital, is their main enemy. Such a move would only assist the employers and government, who will seize on the opportunity to play divide-and-rule between different workers' organizations and seriously weaken the union movement.

On the other hand, this initiative could be a stepping-stone towards bringing to fruition the historic vision of "One Country-One Federation", something all workers desire but which would be impossible without COSATU and its 1.7 paid-up million members.

We appeal to the leaders of the new federation to take the second route and open talks with COSATU, so that we can move towards the strong united federation we all aspire to create. We are ready to engage with the new leadership on this.

Whatever the new organization decides, COSATU will continue to pursue this historic goal of unity, place the issue firmly on the agenda of the trade union movement and fight for the workers' voice to be united and strong.

'Unity' without COSATU, which represents the majority of workers, cannot be true unity."

Countering xenophobia

I happened to stumble accross a website for the DFW (Dallas Fort Worth) International Community Alliance in North Texas. The website serves a community in which 40% of the residents are immigrants from around the world, mainly developing countries. What I find so interesting is that the aim of the alliance is to bring these communities together with eachother, and with the American locals so that the immigrants are accepted and integrated into society. Considering the problems with xenophobia and racism in Europe, particularly the recent riots and car torchings in France, this is a really amazing initiative. According to the website:

The Mission of DFW International is to promote and link North Texas ethnic and immigrant groups, empowering them as respected members of the community and giving them a forum through which to express, share and celebrate the richness of their cultural heritages...For eight years DFW International has used the arts, technology, and education to connect schools, researchers, journalists, and civic organizations with grassroots ethnic communities. We also help ethnic arts groups share their traditional arts with the public and expand their audience base beyond community boundaries. We believe that communications and mutual respect among all of our peoples are crucial to DFW's continued growth and development as a richly diverse society and strong player in the global marketplace.

The North Texas area is home to 1600 different ethnic groups which includes 1 million Mexicans, including 300,000 people from the state of Guanajuato, 60 000 Chinese-Americans, about 50 000 Iranians and a similar number of Pakistanis, 80 000 people of Vietnamese descent and nearly 100 000 people from India.

Even more interesting to me are the African communities, 450 Gambians, 8000 people from Ghana, 300 Ivorians, 25 000 Nigerians,  200 Senegalese, 4000 from Sierra Leone, 5000 South Africans, 1500 Ugandans and 3000 Zimbabweans.   

Some of the cultural activities advertised on the website include a South Asian travelling film festival, the opening of a Native American Arts Center & Gallery, a 1st Friday African Village Night with Kumaasi, and a Jingle Bells on Bishop with Venezuelan Group "La Parranda".

If only there were more initiatives like this. South Africa could certainly take a leaf out of DFW's book considering the way we treat our immigrants.    

Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM)

The Commonwealth is made up of the following 53 countries: Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, The Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belize, Botswana, Britain, Brunei, Cameroon, Canada, Cyprus, Dominica, Fiji, The Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guyana, India, Jamaica, Kenya, Kiribati, Lesotho, Malawi, Malaysia, Maldives, Malta, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Nauru, New Zealand, Nigeria, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, St Kitts and Nevis, St Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Samoa, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Tuvalu, Uganda, Vanuatu and Zambia. Don't let the name fool you, the wealth isn't common at all.

The Commonwealth met in Malta over the weekend and discussed trade, especially the fact that Europe needs to stop subsidising its farmers to give farmers from poorer nations a chance to compete.

The Commonwealth summit ended in Malta Sunday with members urging the European Union to reduce farm subsidies to make the world markets more accessible to the developing countries. Trade dominated the talks of the 53 heads of government attending the three-day Commonwealth summit in the Maltese capital Valletta. The issue was of particular importance, coming just weeks before crucial World Trade negotiations in Hong Kong. [Source]

Well and good. Fair farming practices and competitive trade are essential issues that do need to be sorted out. Handled right, such issues are probably what will pull poorer countries out of the spiral of poverty in which they find themselves. Poor countries do not need handouts, however much they may want them. I keep hearing that old adage, the one about teaching someone how to fish instead of giving them a fish.

The attendees also discussed climate change, migration issues and terrorism. Well and good, again. The problem is that human rights, democracy and political fairness are being danced upon by many of the poor countries in question. Bob immediately comes to mind. Commonwealth leaders, however, "set aside concerns about democracy in Uganda after the arrest of opposition leader Kizza Besigye, and decided they will hold their next summit in Uganda in 2007" [Source] anyway. Some time ago they did (actually Britain did) get Bob to yank his country from the organisation -- but was that enough? And if it was, why do other members keep going scot-free? What makes the Commonwealth so afraid that it prefers to spend money talking about benign issues like competitive trade, instead of capital matters like freedom and human rights, both of which are essential before any beneficial trade can go on?

If we're to have associations, if we're to belong to clubs, if we're to spend money getting together, then the agenda must be comprised of the true ills plaguing those represented by participants. That seems clear enough but is seldom the case, whether with the Commonwealth or with other abbreviations.

FGM update

According to a new Unicef report around three million girls in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East undergo feminine genital mutilation/cutting every year.

"The report said the custom - "a dangerous and potentially life-threatening procedure" - could be eliminated within a single generation with commitment and support from governments and communities. It is largely a social practice, not a religious one. The practice is one of the most hidden forms of rights violations.

Realising how socially entrenched the practice is, the Unicef report looks at ways to ensure that the decision to abandon FGM reflects "a collective choice" rather than enforcing a ban. Young delegates from Egypt, Sudan, Yemen and others are preparing a declaration on their efforts to promote the abandonment of the practice."

On a more positive note, Irin reports that members of 70 villages in Senegal recently attended a ceremony during which they renounced the practice of FGM, and since 1997, more than 1,600 Senegalese communities, roughly a third of the 5,000 that perform female genital mutilation, have given it up.

Irin also has an online documentary on the subject that portrays the extreme suffering and indigity that the practice imposes on little girls and women. It is really worth watching if you are interested in the issue but be warned it does not make for comfortable viewing.

Buying the silence of rape victims

There are rumours here in Soweto, that in many cases, the family of the alleged rapist go the victim’s family and offer them money so that they do not lay charges, and if charges have already been laid, to withdraw them and settle out of court. Now, because a lot of people are poor due to unemployment, particularly young people, families of victims often accept the money, since they need it and they are told that maybe the alleged rapist is the bread winner or a provider to the family therefore if he is prosecuted they (the alleged rapist family) will not be able to survive.

It seems like in the African community immorality is accepted in the name of monetary compensation, not considering the emotional scars the victim has to live with and the possibility of unwanted pregnancy or the scourge of spreading HIV/AIDS. To date although a lot of awareness campaigns have been carried out, this has not yet resulted in any meaningful psychological or behavioural change. 

If this these rumours about payments to the victims families are true, which is probable, this could suggest that the number of of rape cases are higher than those that are being recorded. At the moment, South Africa is busy commemorating the 16 days of activism against women and children abuse, and it seems that during these 16 days more sexual crimes are reported to the local Police Services and more victims are being taken for help and empowerment to the support centers. This indicates, that in Soweto, the camapign does seem to raise awareness, but we definitely also need an awareness programme that goes beyond the 16 days.

Cultural confusion - a wedding and a funeral

The previous weekend here in South Africa was the last weekend for voter registration for the 2006 local government elections. While some Sowetans heeded the call to go and register others went about conducting the normal business of human life, and for some unsuspecting people, this involved experiencing what can only be classified as a major cultural mix up at the Orlando East Catholic Church in Soweto.

It seems as if the confusion was brought about by poor time management which resulted in a wedding and a funeral taking place at the church at the same time. The fact that neither wedding guests nor mourners could be distinguished by their dress code resulted in chaos, as people arriving for the funeral found themselves attending a wedding and vice versa. Making the situation even worse, is that according to African beliefs this is a sign of bad luck for all since death (funeral) and life (wedding) cannot be seen crossing roads at the same time.

What is interesting is the way that the situation was resolved.  Although the funeral procession was initially disturbed, it was still given priority over the wedding. The funeral procession was interrupted, and the coffin had to remain in the hearse while the wedding ceremony was in progress, but afterwards the wedding party were made to use the side hall amid much argument and the exchange of unpleasant words. Also, the celebrating matrimonial family could not demonstrate their celebrations in the usual way of chanting and shrieking so as not to show disrespect to the deceased person. The mourners were then given the the main church with the presiding Father. In an African context a funeral is given priority over any other event or occasion in our society, for example even on the route to the cemetery the funeral would be granted right of way while escorted by road traffic officials.

If this had happened in a white culture, one wonders which would have been given priority and if white people would also have superstitions beliefs that such a mix up would mean bad luck for both parties? Or is it be normal practice for a wedding and a funeral to take place in different parts of a church at the same time?

In Soweto, the cultural superstitions and fears of bad luck surrounding a mix up like this are taken extremely seriously, and what remains to be seen, is whether after being long standing members of the church, and having paid their dues and tithes, is if either family will ever go back to the Orlando East Catholic Church.

Continental abbreviations

The Pan African Parliament, or PAP, is meeting at this very moment in Midrand, South Africa, till 2 December 2005. SABC News reports that one of the issues on the table is the creation of an African Court of Justice, destined to handle continent-wide human rights violations. Members of the African Union will first need to ratify protocols that define and address human rights issues. To date, only eight have done so. The PAP was

established in March 2004, by Article 17 of The Constitutive Act of the African Union, as one of the nine Organs provided for in the Treaty Establishing the African Economic Community signed in Abuja, Nigeria, in 1991. The establishment of the Pan-African Parliament is informed by a vision to provide a common platform for African peoples and their grass-roots organizations to be more involved in discussions and decision-making on the problems and challenges facing the continent. [Source]

Just at the time it was announced that the PAP would sit in South Africa, Fodder observed that "we're really starting to believe that the AU is actually going to work, it's slow going and often we seem to be taking as many steps backwards as we are forwards, but the bigger picture is looking rosy for the future of the AU." I want to believe that with all my might. Apart from a positive observation of the situation in Darfur, and a subsequent call to protect civilians as well, the PAP, and the AU, have been mainly lazying about.

For a good while now I've been intimately worried about the incessant creation of abbreviations on the continent. They cost money, and assure the comfort of only a few. Men and women, it may be true, who are dedicated to Africa and to Africans, but who remain caught in the system. It should be clear, one would think, that it is not abbreviations we need but the money that is being used to create them left, right and center. The quote above mentions nine organs, plus the PAP, plus the AU, plus the AEC, plus grass-roots organisations, and that is not nearly close to the actual number of past, present and future abbreviations on the continent.

A speech by Dr Gertrude I Mongella, President of the Pan African Parliament, states that PAP was created "to ensure the full participation of African peoples in the development and economic integration of the continent of Africa. [...] It is us who carry the aspirations of the peoples of Africa. [Source]" I want to believe that with all my might, too.

Mostly Africa has this article: African Union-- who pays?

South African blog roundup

As we approach World Aids Day on the 1st of December, South Africa’s controversial and unpopular Minister of Health, Manto Tshabalala- Msimang, has caused yet another stir. Known as “Dr.Garlic” for her advocacy of garlic, lemon juice and olive oil as a solution for Aids sufferers instead of supplying much needed anti retro-vital drugs, this time around she has been the subject of media attention for blaming the old apartheid government for South Africa’s HIV/AIDS pandemic. Jonty at The Fishbowl has the story:

There have always been those (including myself) that have blamed apartheid for some of South Africa’s worst social ills, but Manto’s statement that “the apartheid government was to blame for the rapid spread of Aids in South Africa” is far off base…Blaming the apartheid regime here is more of Manto’s ‘head in the sand’ mentality. The meteoric rise of AIDS (unfortunately) took place on the watch of the Mandela government, and whilst the early Nineties held the seeds of that exponential growth, the transient Government of National Unity had influence on health policy for the majority of that period. Rina Venter, the National Party who was the health minister of that time alleges that Manto was personally involved in drawing up the AIDS policy in the early Nineties.

Dr Garlic has been lucky to avoid too much attention with her latest blunder, because hogging the media headlines as always, and particularly over the past week, is the saga of South Africa’s embattled former deputy president Jacob Zuma. Not only has Mr Zuma been charged with corruption, but adding to his woes, he has now been accused of rape. His police docket was yesterday handed over to the National Prosecuting Authority who will decide whether or not to prosecute him on the rape charge. He has also been asked to provide blood for DNA testing to see if this matches the semen on the alleged victim’s underpants. Fodder takes a look at how this latest development is affecting Zuma’s support base which comes from Cosatu (the Congress of South African Trade Unions) and the communist party:

The problem for COSATU was their support for Zuma was never a rational policy decision and it soon gathered a life of their own. Unfortunately Zuma was not their best option for a workers leader and slowly they are figuring that out, but now they’re too far down that road for the break up to not be very messy and at the end of the day they’re going to look very stupid and probably weakened.

South Africa is home to a fairly large Muslim community that is highly emotionally attached to the Palestinian/ Israeli conflict. It is also home to a smaller Jewish community which also has a strong emotional attachment to the Middle East conflict. Middle East politics relating to Israel and the Palestinian territories get a lot of media coverage in South African newspapers, and is often the subject of heated debate on radio talk back shows with the two groups seeming to be unable to understand one another or find any common ground. The issue has found its way into the South African blogosphere, most notably with two blogs, one writing from a pro-Israel point of view, and the other from a pro-Palestinian point of view. Steve at It’s Almost Supernatural aims to highlights what he feels is media bias in favour of the Palestinians. In his latest post he blogs about Professor Solomon Hussein, a South African Muslim academic who recently visited the Middle East on a fact finding mission:

Solomon recently visited Israel and the Palestinian territories on a fact-finding mission to explore the conflict. His conclusion? Most South African Muslims do not understand the conflict and at best have a simplistic understanding of it. Solomon’s conclusion is hard hitting and he will no doubt face a backlash from the South African Muslim community…

Muhammad at The Front Line highlights what he seems to feel is the unreasonably brutal treatment of the Palestinians by the Israeli’s. He takes a look at the recent protest by Palestinian school children:

“The most powerful weapon in the hands of the oppressors are the minds of the oppressed.” - Steve Biko
…You can take our land, but you will never take us… you will never win… you will never sleep peacefully while this injustice lives in your name.

Finally, Trudi at The Hope Flower raises interesting questions about so called Black elitism in South Africa:

…the judgement from the left is that Mbeki has contributed to the creation of a ‘parasitic black elite’… I guess the white elite was parasitic from day one. Now it’s not clear what the left thinks on the matter of meritocracy and excellence, but I think they have diagnosed the elite problem correctly. I resent that the fact that any developing world elite is assumed to be predatory, wheras a western one is assumed to have some basis in achievement…

This post also appears at Global Voices.

A velvet-lined jacket

Angela Merkel has become the first woman chancellor of Germany, an important event all around. The consequences of her ascension could change a lot of things, or they could change nothing at all. Whatever the case may be, her election ushers in a new opportunity for women politicians in Europe and hopefully in the world.

To be right, we've had Margaret Thatcher and Golda Meir, and we almost had Geraldine Ferraro who "earned a place in history as the first woman vice-presidential candidate on a national party ticket" [Source]. Could the Merkel effect spill over and get Mrs Clinton into the White House? I hope so but I don't think so. I think we still have a long way to go before women commonly become presidents and prime-ministers. The reasons why that is so do not belong to the present discussion.

So other parts of the world have had women in power. What about us? Where does that leave southern Africa? Well, women actually do hold power in our region, because they run families. But what we're talking about here is political power, elected power. A quick search on the Internet brings up many women as 20th century power-holders in southern Africa. Remember that power-holder is not equivalent to leader:
1895-1959 Rain Queen Khetoane Modjadji III of Balobedu (South Africa)
1896-97 Rebellion Leader Ambuya Vehanda Shonas (Zimbabwe)
1898 Military Leader and Priestess Nehana of the MaShona Nation (Zimbabwe)
1899-1921 Regent Indlovukazi Labotsibeni Gwamile Ndluli laMvelase (Swaziland)
1911-31-? Politically Influential Queen Gagomakwe of the BaKwena (Botswana)
1917-? Head of the Royal House Princess Ranavalona IV (Madagascar)
1923-24 Acting Paramount Chief Queen Mother Gagoangwe Sechele of the baNgwaketse (Botswana)
1924-28 Acting Paramount Chief Queen-Sister Ntebogang a Bathoen of the baNgwaketse (Botswana)
1925-38 Joint Head of State, The Ndlovukati Lomawa Nxumalo Ndwandwe (Swaziland)
1926-41 and 1958-71 Queen Kanuni I of Uukwangali (Namibia)
1928-43-? Chief Mali II of Khaha (South Africa)
1938-57 Joint Head of State, The Ndlovukati Nukwase Nxumalo Ndwandwe (Swaziland)
1941-60 Acting Paramount Chief The Mofumahali 'MaNtsebo Amalia 'Matsaba Sempe (Lesotho)
1941-46 Acting Paramount Chiefess Elizabeth Tshatshu of the Xhosa Tribe of amaNtinde (South Africa)
1941 Queen Mother Mutaleni kaMpingana of Ondonga (Nambia)
1943-57 Acting Chiefess Nofikile a Ngongo of the Xhosa Tribe of imiDushane kaNdlambe (South Africa)
1946-58 Queen Mother Elizabeth Pulane Seeco of baTawana (Botswana)
1947-87 Queen Maria Mwengere of Shambyu (Namibia)
From 1953 Acting Paramount Chiefess Nonayithi Jali a Mthati, Xhosa of imiQhayi (South Africa)
1957-75 Joint Head of State The Ndlovukati Zihlathi Ndwandwe (Swaziland)
1957-62 Queen Dowager Doña Isabel Maria da Gama of Kongo and 1962-?75 Queen Regent (Angola)
1958- Queen Kanuni II of Uukwangali (Namibia)
1959-80 Rain Queen Makoma Modjadji IV of Balobedu (South Africa)
1964-89 Anti-Apartheid Leader Nomzano Winnie Mandela (South Africa)
1966-80 Politically Influential Lady Ruth Williams Khama (Botswana)
1970 and 1990 Regent H.M. Queen 'MaMohato Thabita 'Masente Lerotholi Mojela (Lesotho)
1975-81 Joint Head of State, The Ndlovukati Seneleleni Ndwandwe (Swaziland)
1977- Captain Anna Katrina Christian of Bondelswart (!Gami-#nun) in Namaland (Namibia)
1980-90 Politically Influential Sally Hayfron Mugabe (Zimbabwe)
1981-2001 Rain Queen Mokope Modjadji V of Balobedu (South Africa)
1982-83 Reigning Queen Mother, The Indlovukazi Dzeliwe Shongwe (Swaziland)
1983-86 Queen Regent and Head of State NtombilaTfwala (Swaziland)
1987 Premier Princess Stella Margaret Nomzamo Sigcau, Transkei (South Africa)
1989- Her Excellency Queen Hompa Angelina Matumbo Ribebe of Shambyu (Namibia)
1990- Politcally Influential Grace Marufu Mugabe (Zimbabwe)
1995- Chief Sinqobile Mabhena of the Ndebele Tribe (Zimbabwe)
Ca. 2000- Chieftainess Noiseko Gayilla of the Amambombo Tribe at Keiskammahoek in Eastern Cape (South Africa)
Before 2000- Senior Chieftainess Nopharkamisa Mditshwa of the Pondomise Tribe (South Africa)
Before 2000- Chieftainess Mamatheola Matela (Lesotho)
2001- Temporary Regent HM Queen Karabo Mohato Bereng Seeiso (Lesotho)
Before 2001- Kgôsi Rebecca Banika of Chobe District (Botswana)
2001- Paramount Chief, Kgosi Mosadi Seboko a Mokgôsi of the Balete (Botswana)
2002- Chief (Hosi) Philla Shilubana of the Valoyi (South Africa)
2003-05 Rain Queen Makobo Modjadji VI of Balobedu (South Africa)
2004- Vice-President Joyce Mujunu, (Zimbabwe)
2004- Prime Minister Luísa Días Diogo, (Moçambique)
2005- Deputy President Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, (South Africa)
2005- Mwadinomho Martha Kristian Nelumbu of Oukwanyama, (Nambia)
[Source]

That's a lot of women, but they are practically all non-elected personalities, getting to sit on the throne because the rightful king is too young, or hasn't been born yet. I told you we had a long way to go. And although Europe has just placed a woman in the driving seat of a big and powerful country, one French newspaper, describing the ceremony at which Mrs Merkel was sworn in, said

Tout sourire et très apprêtée dans un ensemble pantalon avec une veste noire bordée de velours, elle a reçu les félicitations du chancelier sortant, Gerhard Schröder. All a-smile and clearly moved, in black trousers and a black, velvet-lined jacket, she was congratulated by the outgoing chancellor, Gerhard Schröder [Source].

Do you remember anyone describing George Bush's attire when he was sworn in? Schröder's? Chirac's? Mandela's? King Letsie III's? I thought so.