http://www.brendanjack.com/wp-content/themes/brendanjack
http://www.brendanjack.com

What about the Corporate Clowns?

18 Jan 2010

Ex-Vodacom CEO, Alan Knott-Craig has been cleared of claims that he exploited company resources to share a few shekels with his family. And rightly so. Kids always need pocket money-slash-venture capital. How can fatherly love be illegal?

But more importantly, one Vodacom employee was given money “to be trained in the US to become a magician. Although the cost of the training was not disclosed, the network operator spent $71 141 for “magician’s props”, which the magician apparently still uses to perform at Knott-Craig family events.”

Why should this magician be singled out for help? What about other passionate illusionists with dreams in their hearts and a disappearing coin behind their ears?

What about the clowns, fire-eaters, comedians and balloon sculptors? “What about the guy who can play a flute with his nose, Alan?” you might ask. But at least Al’s helping.

Santa gets no help from The Man.

I don’t see other industrialists bankrolling old Santas, to tide them over until Yuletide. Unless those Santas are pulling in big paydays from glamour malls like Sandton City, they can’t possibly survive on one job per annum.

This mysterious cellphone magician made corporate money disappear, so is obviously talented. Which brings me to my convoluted point: The Non-Discrimination Circus. It’s a home for fringe performers who never cracked the bright lights of the Cirque Du Soleil or Vodacom.

Please pass this on to Carte Blanche so that they hear about our work in the community.

Related Link: Beyond the iPhone. Way Beyond.

Reader Comments

  • Tweets that mention Brendan Jack – What about the Corporate Clowns? -- Topsy.com

    20 01 10

    Reply

    [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by justinspratt, Brendan Jack. Brendan Jack said: Vodacom, magicians, clowns, nepotism – it's all covered here: http://bit.ly/5PSCkR [...]

  • CBGB Williams

    20 01 10

    Reply

    I remember when Knott-Craig lost it with you on speaker phone in that meeting once. He certainly wasn’t clowning around. Perhaps he was advised to get some humour in his life by a specialist and went about it the only way he knew how, by throwing piles of cash at the problem.

    • Brendan

      2010-01-21 05:56:11

      CBGB, any truth to the rumours about Vodacom buying the New York Jets - in the hope that they complete their Cinderella season and become Superbowl champions?

Leave a Comment

Name
Email
URL
Message