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It’s a disgrace, my china!“My mischievous brother… there is a reason why Leah is always smiling!”
This was uttered recently amid child-like giggles from one Nobel Peace Prize winner to another via video link between the Dalai Lama and Archbishop Emeritus Desmond Tutu.
You will all know about the visa debacle, but for those of you who somehow might just have emerged from under a rock somewhere deep in the Koue Bokkeveld, let me sum up these recent events for you:
Tutu just reached the milestone of his 80th birthday and was eager to enjoy the celebration with his friend and fellow holy leader, the Dalai Lama. For the second time in the space of a year, the South African Government snubbed the latter’s visa application; the most recent one initially requested as far back as April.
This same government claims to uphold what many arguably consider the greatest Bill of Rights and Constitution in the world. To add insult to injury, we are told it had nothing to do with the fact that President Jacob Zuma was kowtowing to China – South Africa’s largest trading partner, which considers the Dalai Lama “a dangerous separatist”.
Is this not the same President Zuma who, a few months ago, was hugging slated Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli? The same Gaddafi who is wanted for crimes against humanity? Is this not the same Zuma who hugged President Robert Mugabe when he ‘won’ the last Zimbabwe election, calling his win “legitimate”?
Now, Gaddafi and Mugabe can both be considered seriously dangerous leaders, but the Dalai Lama? Surely you jest?
Here are two old men, the Dalai Lama and Arch Tutu, who preach peace and love; two elders who wanted merely to celebrate one momentous birthday occasion with the other. There was no hidden agenda.
Thankfully, with today’s technology, it proved that video links do not require visas, and the Dalai Lama at least was able to send his birthday greeting to Tutu on his special day.
Now Inkatha Freedom Party leader Mangosuthu Buthelezi and Congress of the People leader Mosiuoa Lekota have invited the Dalai Lama to attend a prayer meeting on Human Rights Day next March, which he has apparently accepted. Let us see what they will say about this third visa application!
The most ironic part of this entire despicable affair is that the media fallout has hit every major newspaper, blog, television news and social network platform. From Barack Obama to U2 rock star Bono to Richard Branson – all have expressed their negative sentiment.
By denying the Dalai Lama a visa, the government has actually made this entire affair a far greater international spectacle and given him a far greater reach than merely popping over to cut a cake with his mate.
So, to President Zuma and our concerned overseas trading partner: it seems the joke is actually on you in the end, my chinas!
