Seychelles Faces New Culture of Hate Politics!

The last Presidential Elections witness the forming of a new party in the opposition, the break away party of former SPPF ministers Alliance Party, led by Patrick Pillay. The Seychelles National Party, led by Wavel Ramkalawan remained in place steadfast, in spite of the duplicity of character of its leadership. The people in the opposition did not care about details.

Welcome To The Opposition!

On the forming of Alliance Party, a man contacted me and ask me not to attack the new party. I replied: " I have no issue with the new party, if they decided to break away from SPPF, it was not easy I am sure, and it will not be easy, I interjected. They will not need me making their life harder. "
At one point, I wrote an article welcoming these players to the opposition. Later, they had their fair share of brutal incidents to report to us: 1. Telephone calls in the night, 2. Dogs being poisoned, 3. Threats, 4 Patrick Pillay had a charge drummed up on him, by a Sri Lankan boy helper, who was terminated from employment. He was flown back to Seychelles, stayed in fine hotels, received fine meals, and was bustled about by his lawyer.

Normal, Normal, Normal

All these incidents Mr. Patrick Pillay reported are totally " normal" for anyone raising the bar in the opposition. This is the ordinary course of business in opposition affairs.
Unfortunately, such attacks tend to make leaders and their supporters bitter and revengeful. At times, such action can foment violence, calls to violence, ridicule, brash counter responses. It is after a normal and ordinary reaction.

Rap A Song: " Pil Lo Li"!

Ras Ricky, a rap star who has over 500,000 views of his you tube dances in Mauritius and has a popular following in Seychelles came up with this" Pil Lo li" song. This rap is played everywhere, in discos, bars, cars, and people go nuts, taking out their frustrations by dancing to the song. Is is normal? Yes. Should PL make it a big deal? No. They should ignore it. In time, it will like all songs loses popularity.

But is the song offensive? To the person who thinks the song refers to him, of course. But what is the point? Well, the point is this: in a Democracy, we must at times tolerate others as they make fun of us, particularly if you are a Public Figure. By tolerating others, even with their bad speech, you empower yourself. Crush their speech, you crush the Democracy, and destroy your image as a democratic leader.
It is a tough call, but that is leadership, making tough calls.

Should Pillay Encourage a The Song?

I believe it will be hard to initiate dialogue for National reconciliation, while we " Pil Lo li". The song is counter productive to the peace and dialogue in Seychelles. While many in the opposition will find it funny, I find the consequence of no dialogue between the parties as no laughing matter. In a phrase, we have chartered our country way way off course.

We need to get back on track, restore civility, and remember, in the opposition, the challenge is not to just expose the Ruling Party, it is also to handle ourselves, and our supporters in an exemplary manner, if we are to be considered a legitimate alternative.

A prisoner was beaten day and night for many years, as he remained chained to a wall. He prayed for mercy to The Lord. One day, he was set free by his beaters, they told him, now we are done with you, your government has paid for your release. He replied to his beater: " May God Have Mercy on You". Story of a prisoner of War in Vietnam.

It is by pardoning your enemies for their trespass that you are given new life. In Seychelles, we cannot start to think about Pardon, because in Seychelles, we do not even speak to each other.

Time to grow up folks! You are all playing with the future of our people.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

State of A Nation Under Presidential Acrimony!

Mr. James Michel, President of Seychelles delivered one of the most bitter and most venomous speeches of his political career this February 2016. Michel used the " State of The Nation" address to attack his political opponents in the opposition who have challenged his election as President of Seychelles. He attacked with respite, the break away team of Pat Pillay whose theme song was a Ras Ricky song called "Pil Lo li" ( step on him, crush him- reference being to James Michel).

Wrong Occasion For Wrong Song

While Mr. Michel wins hands down the vulgarity point of the song, the State of The Nation Address is hardly the right place to raise such a petty issue. It reduces the esteem of the Office of the President.

Michel Lashes Out At Journalists, Opposition, Facebook, Digital Media

Mr. President Michel spared no mercy for the army of digital media journalist that have arisen against his government and his own leadership. The plethora of Facebook pages, and blogs that write about Seychelles politics is un daunting. Our blogs alone have clocked over 1.6 million views over the years, Journalist from BBC, Channel 4, Bloomberg , AFP, Reuters , Nippon Shimbun contact  me regularly for information on issues that concern Seychelles. Today one article on our blog can have 5,000 views over two or three days. That is perhaps more powerful reach then Nation.

Digital media has neutralized James Michel mastery and control of the national propaganda armory he enjoyed under the One Party State. This has enraged his frustrations, producing a venom against his opponents unbecoming of a Head of State.

Example, while Michel was able to prevent me from becoming a shareholder of a Seychelles Today as a condition of State House  licensing the paper in 2010, he has not been able to control the licenses of blogs which have recorded his years as President of Seychelles with undisputed precision.
Today, I am happy to see that others have taken the course of reporting digitally. As I once warned Mr. Michel, to no avail, " because you suppressed Freedom of Speech and Freedom of Expression for so long, today, everyone is a digital reporter".
With that said, there are now too many garages to burn, too many families to threaten, and too many dogs to kill. Mr. Michel has ironically, while insulting the digital media, called on his Ministers to open official Facebook pages to interact with the general public.

One word to Mr. Michel on this- if your ministers slates are not squeaky clean, this will not be so easy to do. Thread softly, it can get embarrassing these digital media strategies if the wrong person is behind them. It is not as easy as you think.

Increases In Pensions and wages By April

Mr. President proposed like a Budget Speech, increases in pensions and other subventions to take effect by April. Clearly, he is preparing for a Third Round Election against Wavel Ramkalawan. I have no special admiration for Ramkalawan, in fact, I have none, but Mr. Michel should not be embarking on populist policies to face down Ramkalawan at the expense of the Public. This will back fire! Why? Because the voter today is not the same voter of 30 years ago.

Today, the Voter does not have any loyalty to an incumbent. They do not feel obliged to support someone over money. Yes they want money. But they want you also to give them a car, a house and a boat with at least 100 horse power Yamaha behind it. Some want a Jet Ski. Either you make these things accessible to them through reasonable means, without hassles, or you give it to them out right for support.

This is the state of mind of the electorate today Mr. President. How did they evolve to this I leave  you to deliberate Mr. President. Suffice to say, you have taken our people now to a point of no return.

The Bible says: " It is better to teach a man how to fish, then to give him fish.when you give him fish you feed him for a day. When you teach him how to fish, you feed him for life. - This is the word of The Lord Jesus a christ. Everybody says- " AMEN"!

Cut MNA Pensions - BOOM!

In a single line, Mr. President decided that it is time to slash MNA Pensions. This means three (3) things: 1. Ramkalawan will lose his personal slush fund which amounts to about what a minister earns every month, 2. all SNP ex MNA's will lose their monthly injection of dosh, 3. All PL MNAs being bounced for non performance as MNA will get nothing, for nothing!

With this move, Mr. President has taken the gloves off, he is in for a dirty fight to the finish, if the Chief Justice and the Constitutional Court orders a THIRD Round Election. So far it looks imminent.

Stick It To Donkey Business Pay 13 th Month Salary

This proposal is heinous in itself and it rounds up Mr. President over veal and aggression in his speech. One would conclude reasonably from the speech, he just does not know anymore where to place his aggression. Mr. President, some business are doing well under your administration they can afford a 13 th month salary.

But others are failing desperately under your management of the country. A 13 th month salary may just bankrupt them. Have you thought of this?

With inflation at 3.3% and GDP at 3.4 %, don't you think that is is hardly the time to increase salaries after reducing a work week from 44 hours to 35 hours?

Part of leadership is being responsible in decisions. Even workers these days know they are being baited for long term imprisonment. What we all want is for a President to side with all Seychellois, not a President who drums up a divide and rule strategy born out of the colonial era with no relevance to Seychelles today.

If Mr. President wants to win a Third Round, he should seriously reconsider his strategy. So far it looks like a roller coaster going back wards and the passengers may just fall off the track head first.

The voters today are more intelligent the ever. Many may not be using their intelligence well, but that is their choice. This generation is all about choice and the right for a Individual to choose. More Freedom and respect for Freedom and Individual citizens rights is the way forward. A level economy, opportunity for all equal must be the focus. When we say Citizens we mean Seychellois, not Fabrikes! 

This is your fault line Mr. President , where today, any fraud committing priest can challenge you for your seat.

Lord have mercy on the People of Seychelles as we walk through the " Valley of Death".

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Seychelles DMC Face PL Ministers!

The Three (3) main Destination management Companies urgently ask for a meeting with Government of Seychelles ministers to address issues affecting their businesses. Creole Travel Services, the lions share of the industry was led by Guillume Albert CEO, Masons Travel, the long time operator, since early days in Tourism was led by Lenny Alvis, and Seven Degrees South was represented by Anna Butler- Payet.

Government was led by robust reinvigorated Minister Joel Morgan, along side was Minister St. Ange, and junior Minister Micheal Benstrong holding a key ministry - " Investment".

DMC Want A Better Deal

The DMC told government they want a better deal. They need better priority access to Port Victoria to take advantage of the lucrative bonanza Cruise Ship segment which has double visits to Port Victoria on the heels of the arduous work done by Our world famous Minister of Tourism Alain St. Ange. Colonel Ciseau they say has denied them access close to starboard of the cruise ships. Lenny Alvis of Masons said: " when Costa comes with 1480 passengers plus crew, Masons is happy to take only 50% of the passengers! and the remaining 50% can be shared by the independent operators. This is fine with Masons he says.

Taxis operators not invited to the meeting complain that they too do not get adequate access to the cruise ship business. Seems everyone wants to get access to the broad side of cruise ships.

We Suffer With Too Much Expenses and Insurance

Creole Travel CEO justified his position of keeping and enjoying the cruise ship meal for his company as he wishes, saying:" we pay over €450,000.00 per year in insurance, we invest a lot in marketing, and we must insure each passenger by 40 Million.....our margins are very,very small". 

DMC From Old Seychelles

The reality is the DMC model is a business model from " Old Seychelles" , it's origins in the age of group tours, group charters, package tours. DMC back then filled demand for excursions by building boats, running them, along side buses, to group handle visitors.

Today, travelers demand independence and freedom to choose. DMC were slow to react to the online tour agency threat for room and airline bookings. Now they have taken refuge in transfers, excursions, out right hotel ownership, to keep every potential cent they can earn from a visitor booking with them.

What groups remain, DMC attempt to control their itinerary 100%.

Minister Benstrong Stands Up Against Monopolies!

Minister Michael  Benstrong faced the DMC and correctly highlighted that they operate monopolistic practices in the Tourism Industry, they must become conscious of this, and change their approach. He said: " you are operating under vertical integration, bare in mind, Praslin and La Digue are small islands, that offer very little opportunity for residents outside of Tourism Industry.....small operators are suffering".

We salute Minister Benstrong for raising the Red flag on these players, who openly say they have no obligation to the Public, and can give their business to whoever they choose. Correct, but you cannot give business to yourself, if you are a DMC in a vertical monopoly. This is where GOVERNMENT must step in to protect the sanctity of the economy, because monopolies are the CANCER of the FREE MARKET.

Most jurisdictions Government will intervene regulate, break a company that becomes a Dominant Player in nanny sector, if it's conduct is detrimental to the overall health of the economy. In USA the cut off is 25 % control. In Comesa countries like Seychelles, 40% cut off.
From what we understand, the two DMC control 50% of the market. It may be more, when you uncover the subsidiary companies, and straw man companies.

Minister Morgan Draws The Line

An energized Joel Morgan raised his hand to draw the line with Creole Travel and Cat Cocos: " you threaten our IMO credentials each time you bring CatCocos to line up with the Port Victoria docks to collect cruise ship visitors. We will not take it!"- Minister interjected.

We salute Minister Morgan on this stance. As Minister of transport he must also look into the safety aspect of running too many passengers on ferries, and excursions with a low crew to passenger ratio. Given a calamity,the crew could not possibly adhere to the safety of so many guests.

St. Ange Call For Balance in Trade

Speaking as mediator, Minister St. Ange called on all stakeholders to work together, compromise, share, to find a way forward so the Industry becomes more inclusive, and less exclusive. " We are all stakeholders in the Tourism Industry, it is our Industry".

Congratulations on all sides for accepting the need for dialogue. We all need each other in Seychelles, dialogue couple with action, is the only way forward.

Sesel Pou Seselwa!

May God Bless All Freedom Loving Seychellois!

Dissent to Sybille Cardon's Points Raised

Dear Editor:
I write in regards to the interview with Miss Sybille Cardon, the Chairwoman of the SHTA.
It is worthy of note that Miss Csrdon is appointed by the SHTA Board and not elected by the membership, upon the abrupt departure albeit late, of Mr. Freddy Kararia who ran Select Seychelles and racked up debts with the Trade, while the Board looked on in silence.

I have asked for a general meeting for members to elect a new Board and subsequently I was conveniently advise by Miss Cardon that I am no longer a member of SHTA on her last visit to my establishment.

Members will also note in the last AGM I was the only person to raise opposition to the high membership fees Miss Cardon alludes to in her interview, but conveniently skips the details of the fallout these ridiculous fees caused. Meanwhile DMC fees remained the same. The Board was with deliberation sticking it to large and medium size hotels.

The fees were outrageous , my hotel would go from SCR. 3,000.00 per annum to SCR. 30,000.00. I find that abusive given that most of the valid ideas put forward came from me in the first place and other similar small operators since we do " know how Seychelles works and we are not afraid of losing our GOP or new found passport".

Miss Cardon misses a critical point that has caused the demise of the SHTA and to allow her to fall from The grace and respect she once enjoyed under the leadership of Mr. Louis D'offay.

That point is this: DMC operators were always kept in check. Today they use the SHTA to prop up artificial aggression between small hotels and large hotels. The reality is the biggest threat to Tourism in Seychelles today is the monopolistic practice of DMC operators, which Miss Cardon serves, not small hotels nor large hotels.

On the issue of drugs, Miss Cardon can offer more cooperation to the NDEA then she has in the past.   Perhaps she can offer some land at Côte d'Or for a Police Substation, proposed by Commissioner Quarte  in 2012, but yet to be implemented.

On the issue of our students from overseas, who are more academically qualified then Miss Cardon, I can only ask the Industry to give them a chance. As for the students, they must be willing to sacrifice, and put in the time. A degree is not the end of the road. It is the first step.

Finally, SHTA move to ESPACE places it in a direct conflict of interest to negotiate on behalf of the Trade. Who is your Landlord?

Thank you.

Christopher Gill
Ex- SHTA Member