And now the end is near…

[OPEN LETTER TO THE PRESIDENT]
December 2011, the Thirteenth Day (or the -12th day of Christmas;)

Dear Mr President

Today I am feeling morose. As is so often the case, it is because of a lady. But rather than dwell on it, I will try to cheer myself up with some jokes and foolery.

Yesterday afternoon, I met with the Governor of the Bank of Mauritius in his beautiful office for a cup of tea, although, somewhat ironically, I had grape juice. I asked him what would be the impact on the country if our own “bangsters” (bank + gangsters) were put in jail as was done in Nigeria? He replied that most of the Chief Executive Officers of Mauritian banks have the top job because of their surnames rather than their competence. The banks would only operate better without them. Perhaps he wanted to add that the same would be true for the CEOs of Parliament and that the nation would be better off without them too. Look at Belgium – they have been without an official government for over 18 months; but they do have a head of state. Perhaps I would have jokingly replied that Mauritius has King Richard the Worst and he could be Our Governor!