How Times Have Changed
Looking at the media stories surrounding the 1981 Springbok tour has got me thinking. John Minto was centre stage back then, but the movement itself started over 50 years ago (was it really that long) with Trevor Richards. In the early 70's, I was one of the founding members of HART, encouraged by Richards and a couple of my mates from that hotbed of sedition, Helen Connon Hall for young ladies at Canterbury university. We were young, but we weren't always very ladylike. We tried to raise awareness of apartheid and people didn't know much about it back then. When I asked people what they thought of it, they thought it was a new brand of soap powder.
"Waddaya think of apartheid?"
"Aw, dunno, luv, I haven't tried it yet".
But the movement grew and soon a whole lot of people were opposed to apartheid. Some years later, somewhere there is a press photo of myself as sitting president of Canterbury University with two other past presidents, one of them the infamous Leonardo, and Trevor Richards. We had made the front page.
But it was about more than just the tour. It was a rights based movement and it lobbied for a fairer society. We also encouraged people to boycott South African produce, wine, cigarettes etc. We reverted to Cold Duck (yuck).
I was in New York when the 1984 tour went ahead and I missed all the action. Probably just as well, I would have got my head bashed in. But I danced around my Manhattan apartment in glee. It had to stop now. It was costing the country millions in security. Sadly, it had come down to money. It seems to take precedence over everything else.
Seeing the Mayors photo with an arm around Minto in this weeks Kapiti News also got me thinking. Its a long way from the rights based fair society we fought for to the behavior I witnessed in this weeks council meeting. Our representative Councillors for Waikanae and Waste Management were gagged and bullied, effectively denying us representation. The chief perpetrators of this were the Mayor, the Deputy Mayor and the Chief Executive. Sue me for that too if you like, I have around 50 witnesses. I left the meeting disgusted, shaking my head and thinking "Wow, have you changed".
THE WAIKANAE BEACH INDOOR MARKET IS ON THIS SUNDAY
Venue:- Waikanae Beach Community Hall,
22 Rauparaha Street, Waikanae Beach
Date and Time:- Sunday 10 November 10am – 1pm
Started your Christmas shopping yet? Why not start with a visit to this great Community Market which has highly talented stallholders showcasing a huge variety of quality items and GIFTS from locally grown and produced award winning Olive Oil, Honey & Bees Wax to Yummy Bakery Cookies, Sewing craft (including Dolls Clothes & Kids Dress Ups), hand made Wooden craft, Jewellery, Crochet Toys, Sea glass Mosaics and Quilts along with Homewares, Up-cycled items and everything in between.
Escape the house, visit the market, check out the new stallholders, pick up a gift, then enjoy the rest of the day in Kāpiti at other events (Kapiti Arts Trial) and attractions and include maybe a visit to one of our awesome local cafes.
Meet up with friends and enjoy an outing at this great friendly Kapiti Community Event. Don't miss it....Support local!!
Poll: Is it rude to talk on the phone on a bus?
Buses can be a relaxing way to get home if you have a seat and enough space. However, it can be off-putting when someone is taking a phone call next to you.
Do you think it's inconsiderate for people to have lengthy phone calls on a bus? Vote in the poll, and add your comments below.
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64% Yes
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33.4% No
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2.5% Other - I'll share below
Unlock the Answer: Today’s Riddle is Trickier Than You Think!
What English word retains the same pronunciation, even after you take away four of its five letters?
Do you think you know the answer to our daily riddle? Don't spoil it for your neighbours! Simply 'Like' this post and we'll post the answer in the comments below at 2pm.
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