MR DE WAAL OF SYDNEY ST....STEP FORWARD...THE DAME REQUIRES A WORD IN YOUR EAR

One of the great joys of life in the world's oldest democracy, as opposed to a nascent and floundering pale imitation... such as South Africa, is that political canvassers are treated with courtesy: after all, without them and their enthusiasm, political debate would be awfully dull.

The Dame mentions South Africa because for decades its Afrikaans leadership did all within its power to stifle debate and suppress democracy.

And that leads the Dame to an incident involving a local election candidate and a Sydney St resident... a South African by the name of de Waal

Our candidate was delivering leaflets with his seven year old son to a Sydney St house made up of flats.

Whilst delivering he was met with a tirade of abuse from Mr de Waal

From his crude manner it was apparent de Waal was of good Afrikaans stock.

In a loud and hectoring manner he told our embarrassed leaflet deliverer that 'that not only did he not want a leaflet, but nor did any of the other residents.'

Unless de Waal owned all the flats, or was psychic, he would have no idea as to the truth of his claim.

But more seriously...interfering with the delivery of election material is a matter of police interest and the Dame has told the candidate to report the matter to the Borough Commander.

Mr de Waal had no right to prevent delivery to fellow residents.

The Dame always has a moment or two to engage with ANY political canvasser. 

Often they find it difficult to disengage from a lady, who, in her youth, was a friend of the Webbs and Mr Lloyd George:thus she does tend to bore on about Keir Hardy and the 'old days'.

But that is her natural good manners and respect for ANYONE prepared to slog the streets for a democratic cause....whether Labour, Conservative, Lib Dems or Independents.

But Mr de Waal would know nothing of these things...and why should he? 

Afrikaners have never been noted for their manners or interest in democracy