“Real leadership isn’t about magic wands; it’s about having a spine”

A Conversation with Santa Claus

‘Beware the ‘Keyboard Philosophers’ who post novels with no substance. It’s like a fancy gift box with nothing inside’

By TP Saran

As usual we are delighted to welcome once again in our midst Uncle Claus this year for a lively chat – though not by the fireside! – and partake of his wisdom. And also share his concerns and sadness about the widespread demographic shifts in the northern landscape that are adversely impacting the beautiful and enchanting celebrations of Christmas there. Black clouds enwrap areas where bright lights ought to have shone for days together. Luckily for us though, he has some positive messages, and even better, he may be able in future to spend more time among us! Something to look forward to…

* Uncle Claus, after centuries of watching people, do Mauritians surprise you more — or are we just creative in our own special way?

Santa: Oh thank, thank you for yet another annual chat! I must say, over the years I actually look forward to these more and more. In fact, I’m thinking of applying for a long-stay premium visa. If the authorities can find a way to classify a sleigh as a ‘zero-emission light vehicle,’ I might just stay on a little longer. If that’s okay with you people?

* Oh, sure! But why the sudden interest in permanent residency? Is the North Pole melting, or did you just discover dholl puri?

You’re too innocent down here, I must say — or are you pretending you don’t know what’s happening on the Old Continent? Haven’t you heard? Christmas markets in Europe are being held barricaded by armed police in the rare city lucky enough to even have one. It’s all concrete bollards and bag checks because of the high risk of potential attacks. It’s hard to be “Jolly Old Saint Nick” when you have to pass through a metal detector and get frisked by a guy with an assault rifle just to buy a gingerbread man!

Why, even nativity scenes are forbidden now in many schools and public places. What’s the fun for me? That’s where I enjoy sitting and charming the kids — not behind a bulletproof screen! Even trips down chimneys are fewer; people are installing high-tech sensors and ‘smart’ alarms. I’m one motion-detector away from being tackled by a private security firm. I shudder to think what awaits me in the foreseeable future. So, to answer your question: Mauritians don’t surprise me; they are still as hospitable and welcoming. At least you guys haven’t replaced me with an “Inclusive Holiday Hologram” yet!

* Between grand principles and last-minute compromises, would you say Mauritians are naughty, nice… or strategically nice?

No, they have remained genuinely nice, and I trust that applies among themselves also. After all, I’ve heard the local motto: ‘Charité bien ordonnée commence chez soi.’ Though in Mauritius, that usually means the best meal is kept for the family, and the second-best is shared with the neighbour!

As for grand principles and last-minute compromises? You find that in all democracies. It’s like a pair of one-size-fits-all trousers — the skin is stretched thin to accommodate every political whim and the so-called ‘inclusivity.’ But that’s among the politicians, not the people. The people know how to get on; there’s much niceness especially during this national festive season.

Where a little — but just a little! — innocent naughtiness is welcome for the fun of it. A joke here, a glance there… and perhaps just a tiny ‘one more for the road.’ But beware! Only if you stay in! If you hit the road after that “tiny one,” you’ll find the police deployed in every corner ready to book wayward drivers. My sleigh has a built-in GPS to avoid breathalyzer checkpoints, but you don’t!

* After all these years of giving, what has being Santa taught you about yourself — and about people who expect miracles overnight?

As you know, my first love is kids. It breaks my heart — and my magical reindeer-power — to hear about babies being abandoned outside churches. There’s an undercurrent of something deeply wrong that you folks have to look into.

You know very well that the more I give, the better I feel. That is what saddens me about the Northern countries. Huge chunks of people seem to have a problem with light and enjoyment! Christmas is about light, love, good cheer, and music. In the North, they’re arguing about whether a Christmas tree is “offensive.”

About miracles overnight? Well, it’s instantaneous miracles for thousands crowding the shores in the UK. PM Keir Starmer and his team await them with “Goody-Goody Packages” that include posh hotels and guaranteed housing. That indeed is a miracle! Why bother with a toy from Santa when the government gives you a suite with a view? So, they’re not interested in my humble gifts anymore.

* Does life at the North Pole ever feel like Port Louis traffic at peak hour, or is it calmer than a Sunday beach in Mauritius or Rodrigues?

Not quite yet, but the day isn’t far off. Climate change or not, the ice is melting faster than a glaçon râpé in the sun. I’m apprehensive. AI is taking everyone’s job, and melting ice might take mine. Though I must clarify, I’m talking about actual frozen water, not the “Trumpian ICE” variety that keeps your cousins in the US awake at night!

I’m worried that soon the North Pole will just be a very large, very cold swimming pool. I’ll have to swap the sleigh for a jet-ski, and Rudolph isn’t a very strong swimmer — he tends to drift toward the nearest buffet.

* Between elves, reindeer, and global expectations, do you feel more like Santa — or a minister before budget day?

Ministers, my friend, do not have feelings! Didn’t you know that? They have calculations, and not all are of the numerical kind. Most are of the “How many votes does this bag of rice get me?” kind.

But I’ll always feel like Santa. Even the smallest gift to a little fellow brings such a shine to their face that it makes circumventing the globe worth it. Also, I don’t get tired! My sleigh whizzes through the skies, and unlike the Metro Express, I never have to worry about a car turning right onto my tracks!

* What leadership lesson did you learn the hard way: managing elves, or handling reindeer with strong personalities?

Elves are ethereal beings; I can morph them with my magic wand. No lessons there. But look at your “strong leaders” down here on Earth. They are bending over backwards to create dubious vote-banks or making short shrift of judicial decisions. Look at the Chagos deal — the dilly-dallying is enough to make even a reindeer dizzy. Real leadership isn’t about magic wands; it’s about having a spine, which seems to be a rare gift this year.

* What is the most meaningful non-material gift you’ve ever received — something even better than rum cake and napolitaine?

That’s easy. The warm sunshine, the beautiful smiles on kiddies’ faces as they open presents, and the fact that I can eat five napolitaines without my doctor seeing the bill. Can you think of anything better, ever?

* Looking back at 2025, what small Mauritian gestures of kindness caught your attention — quiet ones, not the Facebook-friendly kind?

I love how people of all communities greet each other with ‘Joyeux Noël et Bonne Année’ regardless of whose festival it is. It’s not for the “likes” or the “shares”; it’s just the Mauritian way. Keep it up, and I’ll keep coming back!

* What strengths do you see in Mauritians that keep you hopeful, even when we complain a lot but still help each other out?

Precisely — it’s that helping spirit that mostly prevails still, and genuine friendships cutting across community barriers. Whether it’s sharing sweets at Diwali, brioches and dragées for a First Communion, or sweets and salted snacks at other festivals. I think next time I’ll make my trip earlier to indulge. If I stay any longer, I’ll add so much “rotundity” to my waist. Haha!

* And be honest: what Mauritian habits worry you most — short memories, long queues, or expecting Santa or even the government to fix everything?

Messing up the beach! You picnic like kings and leave the place like a landfill. Put the litter in the bin! Also, the “Keeping up with the Joneses” — incurring debts for flashy lifestyles and needlessly big SUVs for such a small island. You don’t need a tank to go buy bread! Expecting the government to fix everything is a global disease, but when the leaders help themselves to “generous packages,” can you blame the people for wanting a piece of the cake too?

* In an age of social media, instant outrage, and showy virtue, how do you decide who’s naughty or nice?

Even AI would short-circuit trying to figure that out! My tip? Beware the ‘Keyboard Philosophers’ who post novels with no substance. It’s like a fancy gift box with nothing inside. If they’re blabbering on to prove how smart they are, they’re on the ‘Naughty’ list. The ‘Nice’ crowd keeps it short and skips the shallow ego-trip.

* Has technology made your work easier?

I’m not into TikTok or WhatsApp voice notes. I prefer the handwritten notes dropped in the red-letter boxes. It fires the imagination! Kids should grow up with magic, not just a high-speed data plan.

* Do you find it harder to tell genuine need from noise in a world where everyone wants to be seen, heard, and shared?

Indeed, I do, like you do too, isn’t it. But as the saying goes, actions speak louder than words, so count more on what people do and what company they keep rather than what they say or peddle in their online posts is the way to go about making out need from noise.

Remember what Mahatma Gandhi remarked about the book ‘Mother India’ that American journalist author Katherine Mayo wrote, namely that whereas anyone visiting a new country looks out for what is good, she instead went sniffing the drains! Well, you have a lot of drain-sniffers today. Look for the good instead!

* From your sleigh, how do global conflicts look?

Frightening, to say the least. Malevolent warmongers and looters, mindless violence and people being targeted and killed just because they are who they are. Disrupt everything, supply chains for food, fuel, fertiliser and other items in jeopardy, freight costs up and up and price rises for food and everything else spiralling – yet no end in sight.

There are hard times are ahead for small islands. My advice? Save, don’t splash! If you buy another giant flat-screen on credit this year, don’t come crying to me when the electricity bill hits!

* Climate change is hitting islands first; when you fly over Mauritius and see rising seas, does it weigh on your Christmas spirit?

Fortunately, the beauty of the vast blue sea on which tiny Mauritius appears but like a small dot of green rimmed by white sand mitigates the impact viewed from above. But yes, closer on the ground the reality dawns of increasing encroachment of green spaces and expanding areas of high rise, not to speak of the disproportionate volume of vehicles that I have seen continuously increasing year by year as seen in the congested thoroughfares. It’s peak period all day long! It weighs on me, yes. We need more trees and fewer parking lots. That does weigh, it does I daresay.

* Any headline that made you think, “At least someone is thinking long-term”?

Singapore’s ongoing planning for 60 years ahead, and Indian PM Modi’s thrust for prosperity in the Global South.

* Which headline this year made you smile this year?

The UN Secretary General’s speeches on ending wars. He wants peace, but everyone keeps selling more arms to make sure the “peace” is very, very loud. It’s a classic “Same story, different year” situation.

* When you fly over Mauritius, what do you notice first?

The endless debates! You people could have a three-hour argument over the price of a piment cari.

* If Mauritius were a child writing you a letter, what gentle advice would you give — about patience, responsibility, or teamwork?

Be prepared to work hard, results take time to come so be patient and learn to wait, show respect to all, always keep learning from nature and from others, share ideas. A team is like a pack of reindeer — if one decides to fly backwards, everyone crashes!

* If you could slip one note into the stockings of Mauritian leaders, what would it say — short, polite, and printable?

 ‘Do what you say and say what you have done’ And maybe: ‘Stop eating all the cake; save some for the people.’

* What must Mauritius hold on to, and what must it let go of?

Hold on to the peace and friendliness. Let go of hypocrisy and those wild, “miracle” election promises.

* Finally, Uncle Claus, if you could give Mauritians one simple message to carry into the future — small enough to fit on a gift tag — what would it be?

Happiness is not about collecting objects; it’s about shedding excess baggage. Give to the deserving, and keep your heart lighter than my sleigh!

Mauritius Times ePaper Friday 24 December 2025