The SPPF Octopus

The Mutation of a dangerous species!

- Part 1

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….

The Tentacles

The intricate method of spreading out the legs (oops), tentacles!

1. Siva and the new breed - A tale of Maharajahs and the 'new kids on the block with billions' who have snapped up some of the best real estate in the world! The SPPF mismanagement orchestrated by the octopus HEAD for the last 3 decades (and counting) has indebted this nation to such a point that we have to revert to parting with our patrimony for the sake of saving their skins (while they make a nice profit in the process). With all those beautiful sites shared here and there with an 'army' of foreigners (some even handed citizenship and ambassador status!), the Seselwa is being short changed of their little Sesel. The biggest act of treason is to have this audacity to sell our country for a few Euros, Dollars or even one (1) rupee.

And guess what? The jewel in the Maharajah's crown will be the ex-Mukesh prawn haven of Coetivy. It is alleged that a deposit of 10 million has already been made and he wants the place to have its own international airport. When the development gets under way, we will have a Monaco in the Indian Ocean with an Indian patron enjoying his piece of Paradise. Or would it rather be 'Paradise Raped, Again'. We will soon have another neighbour to the south, enjoying full independent status by the name of 'Siva's Mystic Island'! With its marina hotel to attract the big guns and their big toys, the high class cigar & champagne crowd will enjoy a few rounds of golf at the clubhouse of the 19-hole 'Siva Challenge' championship golf course. The gambling freaks will blow their dirty money in one of the most sophisticated casinos. To borrow a page from the book of the Arabian entrepreneurial savvy, we will dot the beachfront with super luxury villas for the likes of retired dictators, CEOs and despots to come and rest their weary bones!  Hello Mugabe, Ratsiraka, Baby Doc, Krejcir, Tata, Baba, Didi, Raja and “friends”…welcome to MY country.

2. Ramadoss and the puppet show  The old kid on the block who became the jack in the box for the mighty HEAD and wifey, popping up across the Seychelles business landscape (moustache and suit getting wider) sucking up the miserly rupees via evil empires such as casinos. The suckers on this tentacle have plucked a few clams like hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, printing press, daily newspaper and 'coming soon' high tech hospital.

This tentacle is known to operate one of the most intricate pillars of this Rene Crony Society. It is a web that has a quasi total control or monopoly on certain businesses operating in the Seychelles economy. It also acts as a PR arm for the institution with its frequent donations to a charity or organisation from time to time. The big moustachioed is also spinning the weave of deceit and already aspired to even higher office. We shall wait and see…if there are any more political favours as the gambling business is set to explode with the partnerships.

His glittering prize is the hospital. And a high tech one it will be. The best in the Indian Ocean!! Medical tourism will be a first for Seychelles and it's the ultimate in vertical integration. He is glad that the boss has granted his wish. Now the Doctor can have his very own hospital!  And when the HEAD Octopus gets sick or breaks a few ribs, he can have his own VIP Suite for free.  Better hope the nurses are non-Seychellois or you may get an extra injection to boost the ink-tank!

3. The Greg Clan  Better known as 'Le Roi', on the most prized of the Seychelles Islands, another world… Indeed it is another world for this strong tentacle. This one stretches close to the heart of the octopus. The HEAD has orchestrated a fine tune for this super clan with some vested interest from a former first lady. The prized possession in this real estate empire adorns the highway of providence in the form of telecommunication companies, luxury flats and soon to be high-tech hospital. Their ventures into tourism have had its ups and downs (full control on the island of the ox-cart with our own 'international' shopping centre, hotel complex etc…). Not so marketable (let alone ca$h strapped or waiting for the right asking pri€e…) Vacoa Village which is fast becoming an eye sore along our beautiful sunset coast.

It seems the jackpot will come soon with much Felicite…

As for the former first lady she is great at playing second fiddle (with her tennis racquet) to the boss as his trusted advisor and at the same time doing a mixed-doubles as a silent partner with good old 'Greg'. His supermarket has really lifted the people of La Digue. His hotel is flourishing and he even has a lovely self catering above the 'super'! That's our man! Always keeping a very close eye on our 'pied-a-terre'! He enjoys the most commanding view on the La Passe harbour. He rules his kingdom with grace as we hop over the islands under his mantle… Felicite, Cocos, Marianne…

This tentacle wields a lot of influence. Some of the new projects need to have its blessing and vetted on the merits of the 'direct benefits' rule. Its circle of influence reverberates up to the marble building. The Sausage Man makes frequent visits with the family to the little villas by the sea at L'Union. Since the Emmanuel House is now more of a museum it is the safest place to play a little bit of 'monopoly'. It seems that Francis has put the icing on the cake with this Zil Pasyon!

May 30, 2008
Copyright 2007: Seychelles Weekly, Victoria, Mahe, Seychelles