Part 3
The Octopus
Used as a metaphor to describe the current state of affairs that is 'engulfing' our small nation today. This octopus is a special one as it has outgrown itself and now has ten (10) tentacles. At the rate things are going, this animal might mutate and wreak a lot more havoc than our little Sesel and its Seselwa will be able to bear. The octopus squirts its ink through an intricate web of propaganda machines as it slowly tightens its grip on our little Seychelles. In fact, the ten tentacles have swept the seabed clean for the last few clams and banbaras, leaving only a few worthless seaweed floating about. This is the predicament we are faced with today, 'Lepep Seselwa'. We are under the stranglehold of The SPPF Octopus.
The Head:
The octopus's genius comes from its mighty head. The HEAD has masterminded the animal's operating machine and built some solid tentacles which will tighten its grip on our beloved Seychelles. As it wraps these suckers onto those 'another world' granitic and coral island clusters, the 'Sesel pou Seselwa' citizens (martyrs) are strangling for breath as they try to make ends meet as the economy crumbles around us. Albert (the HEAD) had already planned his systematic pillage of our country since 5th June 1977. After more than 30 years, we are now slowly discovering what a devious and callous scheme that this 'pti group dimoun' perpetrated on our country. Today we have gone full circle. All this socialist rhetoric has now been channelled into the biggest Octopus set up that any country has ever seen. Some can call it nepotism + favouritism + thugocracy + personal enrichment…etc… But one thing is for sure, the tentacles have gripped hard. But when the truth (the 'Sesel pou Seselwa movement) comes back to haunt you, the Indian Ocean or the outback of Australia will not be big enough to hide in….
Tentacles - The intricate method of spreading out the legs (oops), tentacles!
7. The Mooky Clan - This is another clan nurtured by the HEAD Octopus and linked to Greg's and Wifey's Head Clans. From Cable-TV operation to stock investments to Meridien Hotels to Tea Plantations to suppliers of thousands of vehicles to Government, the Chief Architect of the defunct SMB now sits atop his throne at Intelvision watching the SPPF Movie Channels and all the action that he has created. It is like watching the History Channel… SBC to STC, Coetivy Prawn Farm to Siva's Playground, Cosproh to Meridien to British Virgin Island companies back to Meridien, Orchid Farm to Private Farm, Beau Vallon Disappearing Land Deals. The link to Currimjee in Mauritius is strong, and hopefully one day the Dalons will spill their guts when they have to give back their ill-gotten gains to “Le Pep”. For now, the only thing this clan does not own is an island, and Big Bear is not budging; at least for now. But the hundreds of cars, Yamahas, fridges and cookers keep arriving on special chartered vessels.
8. Gulf Stream and the Sheiks - This hot Shamal wind from Arabia has been blowing the heat onto our islands to the point that SPPF has to give in to arrest this haemorrhage. As the most indebted country, their logic is to turn to those awash with cash, in the hope that they will be bailed out. But this tentacle comes with conditions. We have hotels galore, prime real estate for 1 rupee, private jet trips for J and entourage, and who knows what else since the various meetings with the Sheiks seem to be endless. We need sharp negotiation skills with this bunch as they will soon control the world…
The tough negotiations with this cash-rich tentacle comes with the following conditions: Marinas for the big yachts
Daily service of the two national carriers to link our islands with the petro dollar havens
Hotels for our gang of party animals
Private Arab Offshore bank to transfer funds in and out (let's hope not to Al Queda)
Prime spots on the mountain tops with commanding views for the palatial homes
Hotel complex to sustain the expansion of the airline
Any other developments (islands) where 'sustainable' development is warranted (maybe Big Bear can finally experiment with a camel farm and plant some dates to feed “Le Pep”).
9. The Escobar Clan - Ah, Jj has declared war, but to date only a few Rastas are behind bars for toking on a few leaves. Packages come in, packages go out. Air Seychelles should have a new logo: “Flying the High Spirit”. Even the daughter of HEAD Octopus and many other Children of the Revolution are experimenting with new inks…Head honcho at the airport was caught, but released quickly without charge. Sausage boy was caught, and quickly sent packing down-under to juice on mangoes instead. The dirty money has to be laundered, the dirty money is used to bribe police, customs and other officials., and more importantly, the dirty money funds a political party and beer and burger parties. So this clan is well protected, gets away with murder, and continues to wreak havoc on the children of “le pep”.
10. Local Oligarchy - This breed is from new money, the old mafia money from the collapsed communist states mixed in with the modern day rich and famous who have found refuge in Paradise where they give you a passport to buy up their patrimony! Some of them have found the perfect 'pipeline' to siphon off some of the not so clean greenbacks through their 'soi-disant' local investments. Buying off islands and prime property to resell for a fat profit under the nose of the Seychellois is what this game is all about. It is the tentacle that keeps the country's false economy afloat and helps the SPPF through a lifeline. Remember the Krejcir Affair. The real underworld is taking root and when this new group is with us, we will look back and think of Ricci as a saint.
The rumour is out that the Czech fugitive's goons have been lurking and conducting some personal interviews with the local accomplices. Things are turning sour and the boss wants his assets back. The investments in the boats, villas and car hires need to start paying its dividends. Not even the interference from the state house security advisors could tame the pony-tailed 'netoyeur'. Be careful when you travel overseas boys… remember the Praslinois who messed with the Russians and is still stuck in cement in Moscow?
Some islands have provided another gang with the safe passage for their linen. Another one has built a monstrosity of a mystery tower at Soleil D'Or. Now a new breed has landed at the Coral Strand and the whole Beau Vallon beach front. New money, CA$H money! Just waiting to be laundered…
It is said that the Octopus controls the reefs. But “Le Pep Seselwa” is smart and we are the true masters of our own destiny, and of course, our reefs, our oceans, our islands and our country. And being smart, we have learned how to kill an Octopus from our true Seselwa ancestors. And that's to pull the octopus out of its hiding hole, expose him with a baton zourite (not to be confused with the one at State House), and then “devir son bonnen”. After the “bate” to soften its meat, all of us Seselwa brothers and sisters can sit down to enjoy a good “salade zourit”, and we can save the remainder to serve up a good Sunday “Kari Zourit”. We can even use some “Kari Pillay” and Indian Masala to add to the flavour.