• Brits can over-apologise for non-issues but never for their misdeeds
I’ve just had to show contrition to my cousin’s dog, which probably thinks I’m the greatest traitor ever, because I held her down as the vet administered a couple of rather painful injections that will cure the very uncomfortable boil she had developed on her rear end.
The poor dog, which befriended me immediately we met, is now very wary of me and understandably so. Hopeful she doesn’t hold grudges long.
Apologies seem to be the theme for the times we are living in. As I write this on the eve of King Charles’ visit to Kenya, people are wondering whether the British sovereign will issue an apology for the violence of the empire against Kenyans during more than 80 years of colonisation.
The smart money is that the King will, in the words of writer and academic Caroline Elkins, “just talk vaguely about wrongs”.
We already had an inkling of what the King would say thanks to a communication from Buckingham Palace issued when the visit was announced.
At the time, we were told Charles III would “acknowledge the more painful aspects of the UK and Kenya’s shared history, including the Emergency (1952-60), and take time during the visit to deepen his understanding of the wrongs suffered in this period by the people of Kenya”.
Interestingly, Charles is King of the British, who are famous for how frequently they say ‘sorry’.
In fact, a 2016 survey of more than 1,000 Brits found that the average person says ‘sorry’ around eight times per day, and that one in eight people apologise up to 20 times a day.
Henry Hitchings, the author, reviewer and critic,whose books have a particular emphasis on language and cultural history, once wrote: “The readiness of the English to apologise for something they haven’t done is remarkable, and it is matched by an unwillingness to apologise for what they have done.”
Speaking of apologies from leaders, there have been a select few incidents in the last 25 years, when Kenyan presidents have apologised to us, the people.
In May, President William Ruto apologised to Kenyans for the Shakahola mass murders, and acknowledged the laxity and complacency by government agencies, which he said had been asleep on the job.
Back in 2015, President Uhuru Kenyatta’s State of the Nation address apology to victims of “all past wrongs” on behalf of himself and current and past governments was seen by some as an important step in Kenya’s process of moving forward from mass atrocities.
Even President Daniel arap Moi, who lorded it over us for 24 years, took time out during his last Jamhuri Day speech in 2002 as head of state to utter some sort of an apology to the nation, saying: “If you abused me, I forgive you, and forgive me if I hurt you."
Meanwhile, South Africans, like Kenyans, have been feeling the pain of taxation as the tax authorities double down on revenue collection.
While we all get that the only two certainties of life are death and taxes, it would appear that certain tax authorities don’t appreciate the need for subtlety when carrying out their duties.
In mid-October, the South African Revenue Service (SARS) sent text messages to taxpayers, warning them of criminal action if they didn't submit their income tax returns by the end of the 2023 tax season, which was set to close on October 23.
When the taxpayers reacted badly to this rather forceful demand, the tax authority did the right thing and put out a statement apologising for the texts.
In their apology, SARS said: “The SMS message that was sent out earlier this week, in relation to outstanding returns, fell short of the high professional standard we seek to uphold.
“SARS, therefore, sincerely apologises for the manner in which this matter was handled, the frustration it may have caused honest taxpayers, and any inconvenience caused.”
So it is quite possible for heads of state and the taxman to apologise, even if through gritted teeth, like confession, it is good for the soul.