Equal Value

So many radical things have happened lately, all of which has had a profound affect upon me. Aung San Suu Kyi was released. Then a British couple in Somalia. Then an Afghan army officer in Pakistan. At the same time, two of my colleagues got kicked out of the kingdom – as unceremoniously and bluntly as I have just put it. The one guy suffers from epilepsy and the powers that be have decided that this condition is too risky for them to handle. Unfortunately he is a strange fellow and his oddness has in the past pissed me off too. He doesn’t get fits, he gets bizarre behaviour. He refers to it as “episodes”. He’ll cross a busy road without looking. He’ll get off the bus when he feels the urge to. He’ll start talking about flowers when it relates to absolutely nothing. He’s Irish and he whispers, so half the time I am clueless as to what he’s on about. The fact is that he has been living with this condition and it has never been a problem before. They also told him that he could finish this term which ends in December. And then, in the blink of an eye, they suspend his contract with immediate effect. It’s Hajj. Everything is closed. But he has to up and leave. The other lady had a blood test done of which the HIV status proved to be inconclusive. She has only just arrived. Been here one week, and now has to leave – immediately. They won’t discuss it, they won’t allow independent tests – she’s out. Simple as that. She’s 40 and has never been married. She is not even remotely promiscuous and is a good teacher. And a very nice person. The headmistress was close to tears when she informed us of these drastic decisions. The spirit of Hajj has certainly not touched the hearts of any of these persons of power. We are just pawns on a chessboard. Can be disposed of without a second thought. I was in the shop and waiting to pay. The Indian cashier served the Arab behind me first. I loudly informed him (and anyone who wanted to listen) that it is customary to serve the person in front first and that in my country people are born equal. He was embarrassed and kept saying: “Sorry sister, sorry sister” as the arrogant Arab strode out of the shop.

It was Trevor Manuel who once said during a budget speech: “People’s lives should be of equal value.” Unfortunately his message still has to reach the kingdom.