Our traditional media sometimes misses the 2oceansvibe part of the story they’re publishing. Take for example this latest article which comes from News24 (Beeld). The headline was “Arrest after Motlanthe mishap” (here) and details something to do with a bad weather judgment by some air traffic controller, which led to South African Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe, having to endure an emergency landing.

There he is..

As an AFTER THOUGHT, we are told:

The crew could only locate the landing strip because it was a slightly different colour to the rest of the area in the darkness.

Both pilots were also experienced at flying with only basic facilities on the ground. After the plane landed, it became clear that the airport was deserted.

The crew managed to get a braai fire going alongside the landing strip. Motlanthe reportedly shrugged off the unexpected change in plans, and enjoyed the braaied meat along with the crew.

The next morning, another plane was sent to bring him back to South Africa, while fuel for the stranded DC-9 airplane was also flown in.

[read the whole article here]

A braai
Probably very similar to the vice-president’s

Well I think that is JUST fabulous! Can you imagine the crew of a plane braaing alongside a deserted runway with the nation’s Deputy President? Hah – only in SA!

I’ve just got such a wonderful visual of the moment in my mind. I want to know more though. What kind of meat did they braai? Where did the meat come from? Did they have to kill one of the crew and him/her? did they not tell the Vice President and maybe just told him the meat was chicken? Does he mind if it’s not deep fried? Where did they get the coals and grid etc.? Do all African runways have braai facilities for these kind of situations?

Go back to your files and interviews, find out all of that and THEN you’ve got yourselves an article worth publishing!

*We do, however, SALUTE News24 for crediting their sources – a rarity in the blinker-world of traditional media.

[thanks brendon]