Platelets, Ubuntu and Beirut

Another first this week – a very low white blood cell count and the need for an infusion of blood platelets. However, the medical fraternity knows their business and all went swimmingly. I did however take a moment just to confirm what were, in fact, the implications of these two separate issues. Dr Google tells me that both are the result of my current treatment. A low white blood cell count undermines my immunity while platelets help my body with clotting to stop bleeding. A platelet transfusion appears to be a simple process. The blood people check your personal details to assure the platelets you receive are compatible and “Voila!” you receive a bag of platelets intravenously. It all takes about half an hour. The platelets are yellow and, like most people, I went through the process with no side effects. Happy and then home.

None of this seems dramatic, heroic or memorable until you consider that when one needs an infusion it is not a voluntary elective process and secondly, the platelets come from some unknown donor Good Samaritan. Well off course I’ve always known this but suddenly the one in need was Moi. I am so struck by the idea that an individual, somewhere took the trouble to donate their blood. I will never know who they are and they will never know me or the benefit they have given me. While a shout-out to medical science is not amiss, this gift counts among the highest levels of charity and I want to express my sincere gratitude to my Good Samaritan and to all other donors out there. In addition, let’s all be regular blood donors if we are able to do so. Is this not exactly what Ubuntu is all about? “I am because we are.” Off course Ubuntu and giving extends way beyond blood donation and involves giving with selfless motive and receiving with grace. Compassion for your fellow man lies at the core of Ubuntu -  it is a wonderful trait of humanity.

In stark contrast to Ubuntu is the behaviour of many using the current pandemic as a platform for personal gain through corrupt business dealings by those privileged by the networks of patronage they abuse. Our first thought is that this is unbelievable but we also know full well that this level of corruption is completely expected and believable in our country at this time.

As if the world hasn’t got enough to deal with, the people of Beirut and Lebanon are now having to deal with the after effects of the enormous explosion they experienced this week. A tragedy for a country that is already facing government ineptitude and corruption at levels that appear to rival and embarrass the hardened South African corrupt. My deepest heartfelt good wishes to the Lebanese!

As I scan the media in an attempt to be informed about the Beirut explosion and Lebanese situation I note two waves of humanity in action. The first is one of Ubuntu. Lebanese people are pulling together to support one another in so many ways. We see this in our own country often when disaster strikes. People put their most admirable foot forward to give and to support their fellow man.

Secondly, I am aware of a very powerful and deep sense of anger amongst the Lebanese people directed at the ineffectiveness of their government and ruling elite. This ineptitude seems to be so clearly indicated in the way the authorities simply did not deal with the known lethal storage of the more than 2000 metric tons of explosive ammonium nitrate stored in a warehouse at the port of Beirut. This deadly act of incompetence seems to be becoming symbolic of the massive problems in the country and may just be the spark that drives some form of change from civil society. My deepest wish is that this change does not lead to another violent revolution and that it is peaceful and effective. As I consider possible relevant precedents, I recall the Arab Spring. During Arab Spring people in the region drove regime change. Unfortunately the outcomes have mostly not been aspirational. I hope for a very different outcome in Lebanon.

Turning to my own and well-loved South Africa. People in South Africa are angry too. Our anger is fuelled by very similar issues of government non-delivery, general ineptitude and corruption. This anger is tangible and growing. The extent of pandemic-driven corruption may just be the South African symbol of gatvolness. I would caution our government to watch the Lebanese story closely as it unfolds. I hoping that our government does not miss the parallels and seizes the opportunity to deal with (and is seen to deal with) the issues at hand positively and swiftly. This would be a wonderful outcome of the pandemic for South Africa.