Jakob Zuma while visiting a Primary School, visits one of the
classrooms.

The class are in the middle of a discussion related to words and their
meanings. The teacher asks the new ANC leader if he would to lead the
discussion on the word "Tragedy". So the leader asks the class for an
example of a tragedy.

Josiah stands up and offers: "If my friend, who lives on a farm, is
playing in the field and a runaway tractor comes along and knocks him dead,
that would be a tragedy".

"No "says Zuma, that would be an "accident".

Beauty raises her hand: "If a school bus, carrying 50 children, drove
over a cliff, killing everyone inside, that would be a tragedy.
"I'm afraid not" explains Zuma, "That's what we would call a "great loss".

The room goes silent. No other children volunteer. Jakob Zuma searches
the room. "Isn't there someone here who can give me an example of a
tragedy?"

Finally at the back of the class Sipho raises his hand. In a quiet
voice he says: "If a jet, carrying you, your wife and most of the ANC
ministers, is struck by a missile and blown to smithereens, that would be a
tragedy."

"Fantastic!" exclaims Zuma, "that's right. Now can you tell me why
that would be a tragedy?.

"Well says Sipho, "because it wouldn't be a great loss, and it
probably wouldn't be an accident either."