Dean McCleland, Author at The Casual Observer

Origin of the Stone Walled Structures of Mpumalanga

By Dean McCleland in Other Miscellaneous Topics 17 December 2016 0 Comment

One of the oddities on the Suikerboschfontein Hiking Trail is a number of stone walled structures, one of which is grandiosely referred to as the Dying Sun Chariot. By implication, the function of that circular settlement is alluding to some religious or astronomical function much like Stonehenge in Wiltshire, UK. The only explanation that is proffered for their existence is transparently “exotic” with apparently no credible evidence to substantiate the assumptions.

**Even the Kaapsehoop Hiking Trail has its own stone circle too small to function as a settlement known as Adam’s Calendar after its supposed function .**

Who constructed these little-known structures and when but, more importantly, why?

Will a new publication by Tim Maggs and Alex Schoeman finally settle this enigma and usher in a revised postulation?

Main picture: An aerial photograph of these structures reveals their extent

SABC Chairman: Is he a Charlatan or an Alternative Reality?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 17 December 2016 1 Comment

Being retired, I had time on my hands to watch the Parliamentary enquiry into the SABC. Frankly, it was more riveting than many of the dramas on SABC, except that this reality TV show revealed current South Africa writ large.

Apart from Minister Faith Muthambi’s deft blame shifting, the most interesting for me was a floundering Chairman of SABC, Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe clearly out of his depth. An articulate Grade 10 pupil – sorry learner – would have trounced his Varsity Professor with ease.

Main picture: Professor Mbulaheni Maguvhe

Is the World of Abundance, No Work & Universal Basic Grants Dawning?

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 15 December 2016 0 Comment

All revolutions whether economic, political or social, cause fundamental dislocations to society & in the case of political revolutions, such as the Russian Revolution, or the French Revolution for that matter, major loss of life.

With the impending birth of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, the fate of the livelihoods of the bulk of the world’s population is in jeopardy.

What does this imply for humankind? No work and hence no income in a sea of abundance or will this be ameliorated by the awarding of a Universal Basic Grant to all inhabitants on the earth?

Let us open the Pandora’s Box.

Main picture: A tiger shaking itself vigorously

Oddities Portrayed in these Unusual Photographs

By Dean McCleland in Other Galleries 14 December 2016 0 Comment

Oddities prevail everywhere. Whether it is people with too much time on their hands who design the most exquisite but odd creations to an ape grooming a buck as if it were a fellow ape, the world has seen it all. Some are just happenstance – chance in modern parlance – being in the right place at the right time, such as a ship crashing into a pier or due to exquisite timing when a fish eagle catches a fish.

All in their own way are highly unusual. This blog reveals forty such eclectic oddities.

Main picture: Who would want to cycle around on a toilet? Clearly the designer / builder is not out to impress the females but rather his own ego.

The Pitfalls of Land Reform in South Africa

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 14 December 2016 1 Comment

The resolution of the land question in South Africa is often touted as the solution to black frustration at the inequities of land ownership. For understandable reasons, I am in agreement that the issue has not been adequately addressed but it would certainly be wrong to suggest that this is a nirvana. Instead it could well be the road to perdition.

In spite of a shining example on our northern border where agricultural production is now 10% of what it was 16 years ago, the ideologues and race baiters such as the EFF are impervious to the economic consequences of wholesale indiscriminate redistribution of land in South Africa.

This blog reveals one instance where such a transfer led to disastrous consequences.

Detachment is not option.

Main picture: Lukas Meyer, an employee who has not been paid for five months

Captain Francis William Henry McCleland

By Dean McCleland in McClelands 9 December 2016 0 Comment

Of the ten children that the Reverend Francis McCleland sired over a period of 19 years from 1821 to 1839, four were sons of which two died in infancy. Spare a thought for his wife, Elizabeth. In effect this fact meant that Elizabeth was pregnant every second year of their marriage. Of these surviving sons, Francis William Henry McCleland was the eldest son. Born on 17^th October 1827, Francis William was arguably to become the most successful of the Rev. Francis’ six surviving children.

It is through Francis William that the majority of the McCleland family in South Africa can trace their descent and why the Beckley and McCleland clans in South Africa will forever be inextricably linked. The betrothal of three of Francis William’s sons to three Beckley girls would be that chain.

This is the life story of my great grandfather.

Main picture: Francis William Henry McCleland

Fidel Castro: Animal Farm REDUX

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 8 December 2016 2 Comments

If Cubans were under the belief that Fidel would liberate them from the oppression of the Batista Regime, they would be sorely mistaken. One dictator was merely being supplanted with another even more oppressive tyrant.

Main picture: Fidel at an outpost in the Sierra Maestra Mountains

Cape Town of Yore Pictorially

By Dean McCleland in Historical 8 December 2016 1 Comment

It is not that I am au fait with Cape Town but apart from Port Elizabeth, I possess a natural affinity for Cape Town. Besides spending three months in Cape Town performing a due diligence and many an Easter participating in the Two Oceans, I have never actually spent much time there.

Nonetheless photographs of the old Cape Town always appeal to me. Here are my latest batch.

Main picture: The majestic Table Mountain

Schoenmakerskop: From Convict Station to Sleepy Hamlet

By Dean McCleland in Port Elizabeth of Yore 7 December 2016 5 Comments

On the southern coast of Port Elizabeth lies a hamlet barely touched by civilisation. Comprising less than 100 cottages, it is partially a retirement village as well as a holiday resort. Unlike the endless sandy beaches of Algoa Bay, it comprises shingly gullies and rock pools. Instead of the perfect waves for surfers, theses gullies are safe even for toddlers. This blog chronicles the early history of this timeless hamlet with its Norfolk pines oblivious to the sea breezes. This is where I learnt to swim, to dive, to fish – which I never enjoyed – and to explore the inter-tidal zone and rock pools.

Main picture: Motor vehicles on the commonage in front of The Hut Tearoom at Schoenmakerskop. This photograph was originally hanging in my parent’s house at 57 Mowbray Street, Newton Park

Fidel Castro: A Flawed Hero

By Dean McCleland in Current Affairs 6 December 2016 1 Comment

The world has witnessed outpourings not only of grief at Fidel Castro’s passing but also admiration for his achievements. In South Africa, this has been especially pronounced amongst supporters of the ANC, EFF & Cosatu. The fact that Castro supported the ANC to obtain freedom for the Blacks in South Africa will never absolve Castro for repression, oppression, persecution and enslavement for his own people.

The bald facts are that Castro was a dictator: pure and simple.

Main picture: Fidel Castro at MATS Terminal in Washington in 1959 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