Politics is not something you will see a lot of on this blog but I am slightly annoyed.
Since the ANC took over the government they have gotten rid of most of the religious holidays. There was very little that we could do about it because we were told that not all South Africans are Christians and that they would be replaced with public holidays which applied to everyone. Some were indeed kept and given ridiculous names which very few people really know what the holiday is for except it is a day off work.
Now there is a proposal to get rid of all Christian holidays which means Good Friday and Christmas! The first round has been met with protests and petitions but we know that if the government wants to do this they will eventually find a way of doing it.
Onto a new topic now 🙂
I drew some money at the ATM and received my first Mandela Rands, I wanted to pay for some shopping later in the morning and the black African teller pulled her face and said “oh that money, I hate it” I smiled and not wanting to discuss politics in a supermarket I innocently asked “don’t you want to except my monopoly money?”
The new notes have Nelson Mandela’s face printed on the front and the animals which appear on the old notes are now on the reverse side of the Mandela notes. The most surprising thing to me is the vivid colour of the notes which make them look like play money and not real money.
I totally agree that it looks like Monopoly money!
I can’t even begin to say how distressing the thought of Christmas and Good Friday being taken away is. I’m right there with you – annoyed!
Stupid idea indeed, I wonder what stupid name they intend giving to the year end holidays.
Easter Monday is not called that anymore its new name is Family Day.
Haven’t seen any yet… but agree I hate the idea that Christmas and Good Friday could disappear… but where is Desmond Tutu when we need him…
The notes are very brightly coloured looks false.
We should not worry too much about Christmas and Easter no longer being official public holidays. Christians would be entitled to take the holidays anyway in the same way as Muslims and Jews take theirs. Think how much quieter and safer the roads would be if all the non-Christians were at work as usual. However I think the most powerful lobbying voice in this matter will not be that of Christians but of the retailers who have over-commercialised both holidays and would stand to lose a lot financially.
I have considered that and do not like the commercialisation of Christmas but I think Easter is very important for religious people.
and if it hurts their pockets I cant see it happening
Very lurid notes indeed. I’ll have to wait until we get back in April, to actually get any, This Christian holiday debacle is shocking. Why change what has worked forever. Everybody enjoys Christmas and Easter holidays, even if they aren’t Christians.
Exactly.
It really does look like Monopoly money. Makes me uneasy!
Conterfeit notes are already doing the rounds … now I wonder why you might feel uneasy?
die geld lyk snaaks en voel ook snaaks, maar soos alle ander dinge in ons nuwe liewe land moet ons maar noord kyk……..
dis waar 😦
I think the new money is really so unattractive.
Gaudy!
I drew some money at the ATM this morning and scored a new R100 note.
I passed it on to my gardener!
Maybe, just maybe the “ruling party” might lose some votes over this religious holiday debacle.
Perhaps we should check if the powers-that-be will be at work on those days, if they fall on week days.
🙂
The doing away with Christian holidays as being a day off from work without putting in for a days leave is nothing new. As a Christian I would have to put in for Christmas and Easter but then I would also expect my Muslim, Hindu, Tamil (etc), and Jewish friends not to just take their days off without putting in for leave.
As for the money – it isnt worth very much anymore, so lets make it colourful. I checked some very old notes I have been using as bookmarks and I still think Jan van Riebeek looked just great on the notes, The ox wagon was pushing it a bit!!
If the intent was to try and make the notes pretty and colourful then animals or flowers should have been printed on them not a face. Having a face on money is dated and irritatingly boring. Even a pattern design would be more interesting.