Summer is coming to an end and by now many have enjoyed their yearly holiday in one of the traditional destinations enjoyed by many Maltese, though it is also becoming fashionable for a bigger share of the local market to holiday in exotic far-flung destinations or take a relaxing cruise. Trends in holidaying have changed with times although, as with fashion, some have remained a staple. Others, living on the larger island of the archipelago, ferried back home after visiting Gozo for the traditional short break during the Santa Marija feast. Those who have returned are now sharing with family members and friends video clips and photographs on the various social media.
Thousands have contributed voluntarily many hours in different ways to ensure an improvement on the preceding year of their village or town feast. Children, relieved from schools, also played an important part during the summer months and brought many parents together sharing quality time with their young ones. A day at the beach is a pleasant family outing. Parents and children drawing circles and building castles in the sand give an opportunity to play together. Many cherish these shared moments at the beach. Workers, mostly in the manufacturing industry, have by now also enjoyed their company shut-down and attended the traditional company barbecue normally used as a team-building exercise.
Challenges of all sorts attracted others. For some weeks during summer groups of volunteers travelled to various countries to assist and help people living in poverty and difficult situations. Others trained for weeks on end to be able to take on strenuous challenges in return for financial donations with the aim to alleviate hardships to others suffering from serious health conditions or contribute to other worthy causes.
Summer also brought about some relief from the chaotic traffic, at least at certain times, which we are very familiar with during the other months of the year.
Good times, sweet, affectionate memories of short relationships forged over the holidays mostly for the younger generation will soon be over as summer is nearing the end. Some relationships may flourish in long-lasting bonds.
Open air clubbing till the early hours of the morning, again a magnet for the younger generation, will soon come to an end and many parents will be relieved and stop having sleepless nights waiting for their children to return safely home. Summer brings with it many allowances within families rules. Most girls and boys do not abuse the summer leniencies allowed and heed the wise advice of their parents and can shortly continue with their studies in a couple of weeks without unnecessary pressures.
Much as summer will soon be officially over we will not be putting away our summer garb any time soon and will continue to wear our summer clothes for more many weeks as it is highly unlikely that we will not be spared the high weather temperatures with the official change of seasons.
Last week, in some areas more than others, we had the first showers and some sky rumblings, a clear signal that we must gradually make our way home and return to our duties and continue where we have left off.
Parliament, presently in recess, will be convened by the end of September. Children and young adults will also return to schools, MCAST, ITS and University to further improve their knowledge and continue to absorb as much as each and every student can take to gain the necessary academic qualifications and hopefully adequate life skills which should help each and every one of them find employment in the coming years.
Most of the newly appointed Ministers and Parliamentary Secretaries must have experienced one of the worst summer seasons ever trying to learn the ropes during a fast learning process which has led some to get into rough waters due to lack of experience and/or sound advice.
On the other hand the new leadership team of the party now in Opposition must have had one hell of a summer. Reorganising the party after many years leading the islands is a task which may be seen large and insurmountable, but by putting things in the right perspective it should not be. The party has a long list of capable people who had leading roles in government till some months ago. No doubt, like all surgeries, the re-organisation of the party will be painful and will leave scares on those affected which will take some time to heal.
Unfortunately, for those affected it seems that the alternatives are few and very limited. In my opinion a new organisational plan, although allowing for flexibility, should have a clear definition of roles and duties which should hold accountable all those entrusted to fill executive posts or positions of trust. Like all other business ventures all party entities should be bottom-line driven. To this end a structured employment policy should be developed, adopted and observed at all times. Managing the party to calmer waters should be a collective effort and should remain the responsibility of party officials’ and party supporters alike at all times. Party members should and must start participating more actively within the structures of the Party. They should ensure that their concerns are heard and that they have enough time to make their point of view.
The party in Opposition has a duty to fulfil which goes beyond the Constitutional obligations and in the coming months it should ensure that people, irrespective of their creed or allegiance, can have peace of mind that the necessary checks and balances are in place and working to ensure a better quality of life for all. During the summer period some very serious allegations have hit the news which have created ripples and riddles. Hopefully these will be seriously addressed once life returns to normality. Actually, the sooner the better.
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