The T-shirt now found everywhere in world

Much has been said about the song and dance that permeates our public platforms in the busyness and business of communicating messages, be they political, religious, communal and even sporty.

Whatever it is that needs to be said, “read my shirt”.

I am talking about the mighty T-shirt.

Not much respect has been shown to this piece of clothing, fashion even.

It can also say how much you have travelled, evinced by the “NY”, “Rome”, “Japan” or “Sydney” on the front, thus the adage, “done that, got the T-shirt”.

And who can forget the fuss of the Western media about the wet T-shirt worn by the leading lady in the movie Jaws or the refusal of Peter Mokaba to dress like the settacle tlers. We, of course, in the developing world are in the clutches and tentacles of this torso garment that doubles up as pyjamas, an undergarment to ward off the cold in freezing temperatures that beset the land in winter and, of course, a rag to mop and clean when done with.

Watching the Americans campaigning during their political showing-off, it’s a spec- grandiose and gross at the same time.

No wonder the budgets of the ones trying to be presidents of the Land of the Free are said to eclipse or rival annual budgets of banana republics that strew the planet, led by demagogues and meglomaniacs.

Like the humble potato, the T-shirt is ubiquitous and a movie should be made of it.

It serves many purposes and in the run-up to the elections next year T-shirts will show the identity on whose side you are or if you are too lazy to put something else on.

In other African countries the images of their leaders in kangas are something to behold, but I see the T-shirt is catching up.