Bheki Cele, warts and all, must be disheartened by the ongoing number of dead cops. I read that, at one stage, he was attending a police funeral every weekend over a period of nearly two months.

That’s really depressing.

Killing cops is certainly a symptom of an ill society, no matter which way you look at it.

Some believe that blues singer Robert Johnson was the first member of the 27 Club.

Others include Brian Jones, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, Kurt Cobain, and, of course, Amy Winehouse.

Yesterday, I mentioned that the greatest music video, of all time, is the Beastie Boys’ “Sabotage“. I did, however, say that there are other equally epic music videos in that category.

Born as a black man and died as a white woman, Michael Jackson will be remembered (not least of all) for “Thriller”, which – by all accounts – is the greatest music video of all time.

My idea was to make this short film with conversation … in the beginning – I like having a beginning and a middle and an ending, which would follow a story. I’m very much involved in complete making and creating of the piece. It has to be, you know, my soul. Usually, you know, it’s an interpretation of the music. [...] It was a delicate thing to work on because I remember my original approach was, ‘How do you make zombies and monsters dance without it being comical?’ So I said, ‘We have to do just the right kind of movement so it doesn’t become something that you laugh at.’ But it just has to take it to another level. So I got in a room with [choreographer] Michael Peters, and he and I together kind of imagined how these zombies move by making faces in the mirror. I used to come to rehearsal sometimes with monster makeup on, and I loved doing that. So he and I collaborated and we both choreographed the piece and I thought it should start like that kind of thing and go into this jazzy kind of step, you know. Kind of gruesome things like that, not too much ballet or whatever. [Jacko]

Gorillaz made a memorable reference to the dancing zombies in “Clint Eastwood“.

Dancing zombies. Brilliant.

I’ve been hearing some horror stories surrounding the harsh weather South Africa’s been experiencing. Apparently, snow is causing mayhem in parts of the country, including major travel routes.

I’ve also been hearing some horror stories surrounding youth league members. Apparently, they, too, are falling hard and fast.

Update

The following email popped into my inbox.

One of your recent cartoons shows our friend Julius becoming less popular. (No two flakes are alike, JM falling fastest.) You are an idealist, he is not losing popularity is his youth league. His trust fund is definitely not a problem to them. It is the African way. Zuma is not doing anything about it, the government does not appear to be concerned about the issue, JM is probably going to get away with it.

Regards,

Bob.