About Me

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I saw active service in conventional, clandestine and covert units of the South African Defence Force. I was the founder of the Private Military Company (PMC) Executive Outcomes in 1989 and its chairman until I left in 1997. Until its closure in 1998, EO operated primarily in Africa helping African governments that had been abandoned by the West and were facing threats from insurgencies, terrorism and organised crime. EO also operated in South America and the Far East. I believe that only Africans (Black and White) can truly solve Africa’s problems. I was appointed Chairman of STTEP International in 2009 and also lecture at military colleges and universities in Africa on defence, intelligence and security issues. Prior to the STTEP International appointment, I served as an independent politico-military advisor to several African governments. Until recently, I was a contributing editor to The Counter Terrorist magazine. All comments in line with the topics on this blog are welcome. As I consider this to be a serious look at military and security matters, foul language and political or religious debates will not be entertained on this blog.

Thursday, April 28, 2011

A HUMOROUS BLOG ON SOUTH AFRICA

This is totally off-topic but given the concern of many people both within and outside of South Africa on the situation here, my wife decided to write a blog with the hopes of making people see things differently.

It is a more humorous view of life here and if you are easily offended, take yourself too seriously, have a chip on your shoulder, find it impossible to laugh at yourself or your fellow beings, then do not visit it.

However, if you are someone who can see the funny side of things – even of tragically funny things – then you may enjoy the blog and have a few good laughs as well.

There are perhaps many South African colloquialisms and phrases that my foreign readers may not fully understand but I am sure that you will get the picture.

If we South Africans cannot laugh at ourselves and see the funny side of things, then we will be doomed forever.

Her blog can be found at http://southafricansociety.wordpress.com/

19 comments:

Chase said...

This is some brilliant writing, I think she could make an excellent book full of these posts, I know I'd buy it
- Chase

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Thanks for your comment, Chase. I shall definitely pass it on to her.

Unbeknown to me, she was quietly working away on her blog and I only “discovered” it when she told me about it. I must admit that apart from being surprised, I also recognised many similar types of people around me.

Rgds,

Eeben

John said...

Good Evening Eeben,

Your wife's blog has good humor, and a bite, to it.

Both the soapboxes can affect at least 4 times the audience. Now to get them both to go viral.

Regards,
John

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

I passed on your comment to her John, only to discover that you had posted a comment there as well. Thanks for doing so.

As for going viral, I shall have to ask someone to help us on that issue.

Rgds,

Eeben

Unknown said...

people are way too serious and love to disembark on higher than thou crusades. look at life and laugh, you will live longer and not be looked at as a member of the politically correct mind brigade. i enjoy snide edgy humour. its way better than the "verkrampte" crowds approach. "carry on" writing and poke fun at everyone equally.
mike

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Absolutely correct, Mike.

We live in a world where, due to pressures, we no longer have the time to see the funny side of things – or how others may perceive us. I think I lost my sense of humour when I was 18 – hopefully I will find it again one day.

Rgds,

Eeben

John said...

Good Morning Eeben,

You may have actually found your humor now...Our better halves bring that out whether we know it or not.

You have solved serious problems for many years so....

“It is characteristic of all deep human problems that they are not to be approached without some humor and some bewilderment.”
Freeman Dyson


One of my favorites.

Regards,
John

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Maybe you are right, John. Perhaps I am in the process of finding my sense of humour – especially after reading her posting of yesterday.

Freeman Dyson’s quote is so true. Thanks for passing it on to me.

Rgds,

Eeben

John said...

Good Evening Eeben,

There is more good cheer in the air - yes the latest post in southafricansociety is straight out of US suburbia!----

http://www.foxnews.com/world/2011/03/03/uk-pulls-plug-united-nations-spending-opposition/?test=latestnews

It will be interesting to follow where this goes.

Regards,
John

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

I do recognise so many people we encounter in our daily lives in her writings, John. Whereas I am sure they wonder if a finger was pointed at them, they will never know. I enjoyed her latest one as again there were some that I could picture in there as well.

Thanks for the link. That was very interesting to read – and I too wonder if it will elicit any action, although I have my doubts.

Rgds,

Eeben

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

I am not sure what happened, John. I read your comment and posted a response, only to see it has disappeared, hence my writing again.

Yes, I can imagine that many will find people around them who fit the bill she wrote about.

Thanks for the link. The UN is a spending monster with very little positive results to show. It will be very interesting to see which way this goes.

Rgds,

Eeben

John said...

Good Morning Eeben,

Your original comments are still in my email box - I wonder what happened on your blogger account::

" I do recognise so many people we encounter in our daily lives in her writings, John. Whereas I am sure they wonder if a finger was pointed at them, they will never know. I enjoyed her latest one as again there were some that I could picture in there as well.

Thanks for the link. That was very interesting to read – and I too wonder if it will elicit any action, although I have my doubts.

Rgds,

Eeben"

Just in case something within can help track down why all the moments disappeared.

Regards,
John

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Yes, that was my initial response to your comment, John. Thanks for keeping it so I shall just ensure that it remains along with your comment.

Rgds,

Eeben

Gatvol said...

South Africa is the brunt of a lot of Tearful Humor these days. The tears are really about the sadness in the total insanity of normal day to day life as it is now.
I want a copy, regards to your better half.

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Very true Gatvol. Each day over here brings its own horrors, sadness and tears.

Your regards are reciprocated.

Rgds,

Eeben

barry said...

Please watch a funny SA security video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oBTfseBgVdc

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

Thanks, Barry. That is rather funny – but sad and typical!

Rgds,

Eeben

Unknown said...

south africa is beautiful country but due to crimes it looks dangerous
funnyrecord

Eeben Barlow's Milsec Blog said...

It is a beautiful country with good people. Sadly, the minority dictate to the majority. But, I am sure we will solve our problems in the near future.
Rgds,
Eeben