5 April
Today is a public holiday called Family Day here in South Africa. I am lucky enough to have family with me – my daughter and grandson. But unlike other families who are getting ready to have a day of fun, having a barbeque, being outside, going out for the day, we are behind our computers working because there are bills to pay. In my two bedroom cottage the three of us are squashed around the table, the Karoo heat beating on the tin roof while the fans are struggling noisily to keep us cool (and sane).
Somewhere across the water there is another family of three (we are told) lounging in their 9 bedroom, 16 bathroom mansion, plotting and scheming as to how they can shut us up. I am sure they are reveling in the fact that they have so far managed to win a court case against the Mail on Sunday, got Piers Morgan fired and Sharon Osborne lost her job. Their egos now inflated, filled with the hot air of their constant wordsalad, they are now attacking social media and the internet.
Although I find it highly infuriating that the likes of Piers Morgan are made to be silent, I know that Piers will most likely survive the next few months or years by doing guest appearances and by selling his books. Unfortunately the same does not apply to me, and hundreds of others like me, who depend on the income from advertising on our channels, blogs and other social media endeavours. Be it a product, a politician or a celebrity we are talking about, like Piers and Sharon, we get our income from sharing our opinions and by preventing us from giving and sharing our opinions and by preventing us from doing so would be cutting off our only hope of earning an income. Do they care? No. On the contrary, with each person being demoted or trampled on they feel more and more powerful. The truth is however, that we are giving them this power, we are allowing it.
It has been months that we are speculating about Harry’s visa, Archie’s birth and many other facets of their numerous lies and conniving. Yet, it appears as if that is where it will stay – with talking – and while we are talking they are growing more powerful while being backed by their already powerful pals like Winfrey, the Obamas and Alexis and his wife Serena Williams. Can we allow this much longer? Not in my world – I still have a family to protect. In the next week I shall write a number of letters demanding clarity and the truth on a number of matters – maybe it will make a difference, maybe it won’t, but at least I know I am doing something, what will YOU do?