Dean McCleland, Author at The Casual Observer

Juvenal’s question “Quis custodiet ipsos custodies” applies in South Africa

By Dean McCleland in Opinion Pieces 23 December 2016 0 Comment

In his satirical poem eponymously called Satires, the Roman Poet Juvenal raised this existential question, “Quis custodiet ipsos custodies” meaning “Who will guard the guardians themselves.” This scourge now seriously afflicts the Security Cluster in South Africa.

The latest spat between the Priority Crimes Unit, commonly referred to as the Hawks and Robert McBride, the head of IPID, the Independent Police Investigate Department highlights the phenomenon of the politicisation of the various organs of the Security Cluster.

Furthermore, there has been the progressive securitisation of the state under Jacob Zuma’s watch.

Main picture: Robert McBride is the latest victim of the internecine warfare between the components of the security establishment. He was recently charged with treason, fraud amongst other charges

Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Town Hall-Epitomising a Vision for Greatness

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 23 December 2016 1 Comment

Amongst all the iconic buildings of Port Elizabeth, this must feature in the top five. Yet in 1977 this building which epitomises Port Elizabeth, almost became an ex-icon as a result of a conflagration which destroyed it.

What a momentous loss that would have been?

This blog covers the odyssey of a plan transformed into a Town Hall to finally being acclaimed as the City Hall. Finally it is saved from destruction by the wreckers’ ball of short-sighted Councillors and then from a fiery inferno.

Main picture: The Town Hall under construction from 1858 to 1861

Unsafe Acts

By Dean McCleland in Other Galleries 22 December 2016 1 Comment

As the maxim states, “Different strokes for different folks.” That is great as far as it goes but these antics are downright dangerous, death defying even. Either they cannot foresee the consequences of their actions or they have a death wish. Whatever it is, does not make a difference, as either way, they will not survive to old age.

Or maybe I am a wussie and too risk averse.

Main picture: Would you allow somebody to angle grind using your back as a work bench?

Port Elizabeth of Yore: Ghosts & Apparitions

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 22 December 2016 3 Comments

All towns have their ghost stories. Real or imagined, they form part of the folklore of the town. In Port Elizabeth’s case, it has its fair share. Apart from perhaps one, none are real ogres.

Being a sceptic of the metaphysical world and paranormal phenomena, I do not place much credence on these inexplicable tales. However, given the interest of various people in these alleged phenomena, this blog covers the most important ones.

Main picture: Richly House formerly Langford Lodge. Is it the most haunted house in Port Elizabeth?

Port Elizabeth of Yore: The Mad Pyromaniac

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 21 December 2016 2 Comments

Some people gain fame, and possibly fortune, through charity, good deeds and hard work whereas Miss Francis Livingstone Johnston only gained notoriety through setting fire to numerous buildings in Port Elizabeth in the mid- 1890s. The reason for burning down churches was an apparent irrational hatred of altars.

The blog covers the wayward and abnormal career of this atypical female.

Main picture: The Cleghorn, Harris and Stephen’s building, next to where the present Port Elizabeth Public Library was later built, burnt down on Wednesday night 6th May 1896.

Twenty Historical Photos That Are Rarely Seen

By Dean McCleland in Historical 20 December 2016 0 Comment

Helen Keller and Charlie Chaplin
Charlie Chaplin was a famous silent film movie actor and Helen Keller was an author, political activist and lecturer who was deaf and blind. She still learned to communicate. Bizarrely there is a photograph of Charlie Chaplin and Helen Keller meeting each other in 1912 Hollywood. They are standing face to face and Helen appears to be touching Charlie’s face to read his expression. It’s probably not seen often because it looks like a photograph a friend may have taken as a keepsake of the meeting.

Which South Africa did we actually get?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 20 December 2016 1 Comment

If Joe Slovo or Chris Hani were to suddenly reappear in South Africa what would their first impressions be? Similarly with Hendrik Verwoerd or D.F. Malan? Even for those who have lived through this tumultuous transition, is the current status quo what they envisioned?

Main picture: Cape Town in all its splendor

Graph to Explain Brexit & the Appeal of Trump

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 20 December 2016 0 Comment

On my list of future blogs was this topic except that I never had a convenient succinct coathanger on which to hang it. That is, until this morning when I serendipitously discovered a blog on a little known backroom economist called Branko Milanović.

First, there was Thomas Piketty, the rock star economist. Now, in the mould of the dismal scientist, comes Milanović, rescuing economics from irrelevance.

Main picture: Branko Milanović

Middle Class Woes

By Dean McCleland in Other Miscellaneous Topics 18 December 2016 0 Comment

Today’s road race was at the Elkah Stadium adjacent to Thokoza Park in Soweto. While driving home listening to 702 Talk Radio listeners airing their humdrum concerns, it struck me forcefully that many of the denizens of Moroka now face a different foe from one endured during the turbulent 1970’s, the dreaded middle class woes.

Never fatal but its symptoms are overwork, stress and a lack of free time.

Main picture: Soweto is a symbol of the New South Africa, caught between old squatter misery and new prosperity Continue reading

Come back Chris. All is forgiven

By Dean McCleland in Opinion Pieces 18 December 2016 1 Comment

This statement refers to the now long-forgotten outrage of Chris Hart, the Chief Economist of Standard Bank, for brazenly tweeting that Blacks in South Africa harbour a sense of entitlement.

For me what was truly remarkable about this incident was the selective outrage and morality.

Main picture: Chris Hart, ex Standard Bank Economist Continue reading

The Opinion Pieces are an eclectic bunch on current affairs & history often with a human interest aspect. The Movie/DVDs reviews are mainly on documentaries with a smattering of movie reviews.

Author: Dean McCleland