SynopsisRandom Collection of Disquieting Thoughts

Random Collection of Disquieting Thoughts is a critique of Black Economic Empowerment, the redistributive policy of the African National Congress government, from within the world of BEE itself. The child of the negotiated settlement between the National Party regime and the ANC, BEE or broadly, transformation came to denote the practice of reconciliation between black and white. Meant to eliminate or at least reduce socioeconomic contrasts, its implementation instead proceeded in the face of mounting inequality in South Africa, which by some measures is now the worlds worst.

To be fair, BEE has indeed been a transformative experience in the lives of its beneficiaries. It has enriched a layer of business people who are the poster boys and -girls of capitalism with a conscience. Unfortunately, these gilded souls in most instances are connected to the highest echelons of the ruling party, lending credence to the criticism that BEE is nepotism by another name. Yet the policys stated intention is to give preference in employment and business contracts, to suitably qualified candidates from previously disadvantaged backgrounds.

Random Collection of Disquieting Thoughts puts the lie to this lofty theory. It exposes the worst ineptitudes of the new breed of politically-minded tycoon, in the person of Disney Thoabala. The chief executive of Dimension, a Johannesburg advertising agency, the strident Disney has made a name for himself as a mouthpiece for various government departments and state-owned entities. While the private sector always shunned him, he finds, late in the second Mbeki administration, that there are limits to how far a 100% black-owned

company can reach. Even political accounts become increasingly elusive, and he takes his employees on one wild goose chase after another in the desperation to scale up.

The foils for the maladroit Disney are Thati Setati, a copywriter, his creative director Patrick OShea and art director Bingham Magubane. Through their eyes, we relive the indignities of working for a quixotic taskmaster. But Thati and OShea are not just dumb observers of their fate at Dimension. Their discussions touch on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, nuclear Armageddon, divorce, indigenous knowledge systems, Rosicrucianism and Stalinism. They analyse their own condition as well as the condition of workers worldwide. In the end, Thati emerges with a leftist critique of BEE in its proper place in the global complex of capitalist property relations.

The title Random Collection of Disquieting Thoughts is borrowed from The Lost Tools of Learning by Dorothy Sayers. It reflects Thatis contempt for the inability of todays intellectuals and learners to really learn anything, and the resulting hostility to ideas generally. The text is disquieting as it may upset this mainstream of approved commentators, the gurus of the moment, talk show hosts and their followers...