It is interesting how queues at liquor stores are laced with patience that is needed or required at public clinics, hospitals and other public service institutions.

Over a week ago, I made a trip to my nearest bottle store. I needed to buy a few cases of beer for an upcoming celebration at home. The queue at that popular wholesaler store was only secondary to the zigzagging lines of April 27 1994 in the townships and villages, where thousands of black people were casting their first democratic votes...