My last (weekly) Donderdag blog was published on August 11. It is now September 6.
I hereby confirm that am not dead.
I am a recently appointed editor and an attorney – barely but just.
Please forgive my radio silence. Let me tell you what the last 26 days were all about.
I am now the editor of Nelspruit Post.
This newspaper is an all-rounder. There is nothing it does not contain – school news, community news, hard news, sport news, you name it!
So yes, I’ve been busy learning the ropes if my new job.
I’ve also been attempting to get myself admitted as an attorney. This happened on Friday – in the most ridiculous way.
For the first time in my career, only a Dear Diary approach will suffice.
07:00 – I do not want to wake up. I’ve been fearing this day for months. Today, I will appear in the High Court, where three judges will decide whether I may be admitted as an attorney. I’ve worked towards this moment for years and now I want to flee from it.
07:30 – Double checking my application for admission. It consists of heaps of documents and needs to be accompanied by the original copies of every official document ever issued pertaining to me.
Needless to say, I do not have all of them in my possession.
I had them yesterday.
I rush to find them.
08:00 – Arriving at the internet cafe for photocopies. I realise that I do not need them and rush out of there.
08:30 – Clock in at University for copies of my registration documents. Realising I left my purse at the internet cafe.
08:35 – Breaking land speed record.
08:36 – Confirmed: My purse is missing in action.
08:40 – I rush back and pick up my registration documents. Another office where I had arranged to collect documents is closed for the day. I get over it and leave for court.
08:45 – Getting lost in Pretoria CBD.
* This was where I realised: This is a good day. Things can only go better.
08:50 – I phone banks and stores to cancel my cards.
“Never open any retail accounts,” my mother had warned…
09:05 – Realising that I am late for my appointment with my advocate.
09:10 – Arrive at the Law Society’s offices for my original appearance certificate. “You don’t have to submit it,” they say. They are nice to me as I am mid-panic-attack and print one anyway.
09:15 – Arrive at advocate’s chambers for my 09:00 appointment.
10:00 – Seated in court. Feeling nauseous. Thanking my lucky stars that my mother is sitting next to me.
10:20 – The judge calls my name. A local once accused me of defamation. I fear that they might mention it.
10:20:12 – They mention it.
10:21 – The suffering continues.
10:22 – They decide that it does not make me an improper person.
10:23 – I am admitted as an attorney and may take the oath. I am asked whether I will devote myself to the legal profession and be a representative thereof maintaining high ethical standards. In stead of saying “yes,” I beam with pride like and overeager bride and bellow: “I DO!”
I take more photos in front of the court building than a bride would on her wedding day.
The next day: My mother finds my wallet in my car.
The end.
Also read: DONDERDAG – Dis buite beheer, maar onder beheer.
Also read:DONDERDAG – Wanneer twee Concertas te min is.
* I would like to thank Quintus du Toit and Dries Diamond for their assistance in the admission procedure.
