Sigh.
The ANC government denied the Dalai Lama a visa, saying it wouldn't be in the best interests of the country if he was allowed to come in. Some nonsense about distracting attention away from the peace talks ahead of the 2010 World Cup. Never mind that the peace talks were directly related to the World Cup, and that Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu invited him to attend.
The real reason has nothing to do with the interests of SA - the last time the government cared about that was when Mandela was in office. No, the real reason is that the government and China are new BFF and if SA let the Dalai Lama come visit, then China might decide not to come over and play anymore.
In response, Mandela, Tutu and FW De Klerk withdrew from the peace talks. And the peace talks were cancelled. Way to go, government!
And while thousands of cricket fans are excited that the IPL will be held here, I personally think England should have got it. You're not supposed to reward a country for doing something stupid.
ETA: I love my country, don't get me wrong. I just think the government needs to rethink its priorities.
The real reason has nothing to do with the interests of SA - the last time the government cared about that was when Mandela was in office. No, the real reason is that the government and China are new BFF and if SA let the Dalai Lama come visit, then China might decide not to come over and play anymore.
In response, Mandela, Tutu and FW De Klerk withdrew from the peace talks. And the peace talks were cancelled. Way to go, government!
And while thousands of cricket fans are excited that the IPL will be held here, I personally think England should have got it. You're not supposed to reward a country for doing something stupid.
ETA: I love my country, don't get me wrong. I just think the government needs to rethink its priorities.