Dear Sir,
Having spent a lot of time over the years in Zimbabwe, a question I am sometimes asked is whether I think South Africa is going /will go the same way as Zimbabwe, i.e.’ the Mugabe/ZANU-PF route’. My response always is “No chance, my friend, our country differs from Zimbabwe in ways which ensure that we will not chart the same course, or suffer a similar fate!”. With such a small economy (the Zimbabwean economy at its height, when it still functioned, was roughly the size of the economy of Pinetown, KZN), the means available to Mugabe to oil the wheels of his ‘patronage’ machine were always going to be severely limited. The crunch finally came when the cost to Mugabe of his political hangers-on increased in number and became more demanding to the point that he started hitting on the private sector more and more, squeezing the very life-blood out of the economy. As a result of this and the resultant loss of business confidence, economic stagnation set in. Consume- spend, revenue from taxes, excises, etc., started to dry up. The rest is a matter of recorded history – privately-owned farms and businesses were taken over, banks were interfered with, mines were ‘nationalised’ and Mugabe’s Reserve Bank began printing money in huge quantities to pay the government’s wage bill.
Will we produce a ‘Mugabe-type’ leader? – could a similar sequence of desperation politics occur in South Africa? I don’t believe so. Why not? Our history is different, our demographics are very different. The background and history of the territory and nation now called Zimbabwe are very short in terms of time and transient in nature when compared with that of South Africa. Will the South African ’pillars of democracy’, i.e. the executive, the judiciary, etc., become the personal fiefdom of a Mugabe-type leader? No, I don’t believe so.
May it be, however, that South Africa represents a closer parallel to Kenya? That nation is a country with a longer history, comprising some 45 million souls, with a broad, balanced demographic spread. Certainly more similarities exist than between South Africa and Zimbabwe. Could we end up with a ‘Daniel Arup Moi-type’ leader? Does this represent a far greater danger? As opposed to the ‘Mugabe’ scenario, is an ‘Arup Moi’ scenario a more clear and possible danger?
According to the Kenyans, the affect of Daniel Arup Moi’s15-year reign as leader of their country was devastating. When he took over from Jomo Kenyatta the country’s infrastructure was fully intact and the economy vibrant. Arup Moi changed all that. Widespread nepotism, corruption and tribalism became the order of the day, infiltrating every facet of national life. The country’s infrastructure, comprising transport, national power grid, education, health services, etc., all but collapsed, and remain in a parlous state to this day. As things stand, unless the dynamics in the political life of the country change dramatically, it’s highly unlikely that Kenya will ever recover – rather, it more likely will continue down the slippery slope. The political hegemony that runs the country has its hand on the jugular vein of the body of the Kenyan nation. When the governing party ostensibly lost the democratic election to Raila Odinga’s party some six years ago, the Arup Moi / Kibaki axis refused to let go the reins of power. What amounted to a civil war on tribal lines erupted – this didn’t bother Kibaki at all. To prevent huge bloodshed, Raila Odinga’s party, the winner of the election on the votes counted, stepped aside by accepting the ‘prime minister-ship’ of the country, i.e. lower in authority to ‘President’ Kibaki.
Our dilemma in South Africa is ‘how do we stop the Jacob Zuma-led express train of corruption, lack of accountability /responsibility and apparent disregard for the welfare of the ordinary people of our beloved nation?’.
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
SOUTH AFRICA – A FUTURE ENVISIONED!
Dear Sir,
First of all let it be said that our country is not an easy country to govern. Our difficult history, stemming from the huge migrations of peoples southward, to the clash of interests between tribes and empires, the confusion engendered by differing cultures and creeds, as well as the alarming disparity in levels of wealth and material well-being of our peoples. Our leap of faith as we moved forward from April, 1994 was full of expectation – unrealistic, in some cases, but also realistic and healthy expectations for a fairer dispensation and ongoing improvement in standards all round for the majority of our people.
Unfortunately, for the nineteen years since April, 1994, we have watched, with increasing dread, our governing party battle to rise to the challenge that our beloved country represents. It’s not that the job was, or is, an impossible task. Our nation of people still generates an enormous font of positive energy. We are still a dynamic bunch. Charitable events /causes always evoke huge responses, and there are many organizations comprising people who selflessly devote huge amounts of time and resources to helping those in need.
A vacuum of power, leadership and accountability has arisen because of our national government’s policy of ‘cadre deployment’. This is a self-serving policy employed by an elitist political clique to retain the reins and trappings of power. Instead of ill-suited, inept people being appointed at all significant management levels, dedicated career professionals should be filling key positions in government and the administration. The good news is that most of our tertiary education institutions are producing high-quality graduates and such career professionals will be available when called upon to serve.
There are clear signs that our political environment is starting to change. The days of the power and responsibility vacuum in our national life are numbered. Our people are starting to flex their muscles in terms of increasing service delivery protests (nation-wide, almost one per day), a groundswell of opposition to rampant corruption and maladministration. Opinion polls confirm that the ruling party is losing ground. All of these factors will lead better accountability and responsibility in all vital aspects of governance.
Although the gainsayers are always ready to emphasize the negatives, the greater truth is that wherever South Africans ‘rub shoulders’, one with the other in everyday life, be it in the spiritual or social sense, be it in the work place, in schools, in universities, in sport, etc., we combine well across all the racial and cultural lines which define our rich national tapestry. This is the largely untold story of our beloved country – a story that will never go away. This is a country with a God-given destiny. The vast majority of us who call this country our home, our hope and our future are aware of this - any negative factors or influences which hold true at any given time, or which arise, will not take this away from us.
One of our greatest resources is our people who, more often than not, prove to be an asset wherever they go in the world, in terms of being hard-working and productive members of society. We hear of this daily, on an ongoing basis. In spite of how well they have done, there are many (and some who have done extremely well) that come ‘home’ by choice. They are not ‘in fear of the future’ - they say things like ‘we have come back because we know that South Africa has a bright future’. They return with their positive energy without reserve, willingly, unconditionally.
In the main, we are a well-grounded society with good values. There exists a dynamic between us that is always ready to reach out and give a ‘hand up’ to another in need. I have seen, over and again, people helping, without reserve, those in distress. I have seen ‘disadvantaged’ people helping ‘advantaged’ people, and vice versa - many times. As individuals, as families, and as members of the community we certainly have a well-grounded sense of accountability and responsibility; you only have to ask fellow South Africans who have stayed for any length of time in other countrise - they tend to confirm this. A friend of mine who travels often overseas on business tells me every time she gets off the plane at OR Tambo, she feels the ground vibrate – a tribute to the heart-beat, energy and vitality of our nation. Many are those who have come to our shores and openly declared that South Africa is a special place, and that the spirit and passion of the people are clearly special. Those of us who travel and have the yardstick by which to compare are possibly more aware of this than those who haven’t travelled.
The story of the South African people is more enduring than transient negative factors - whilst these come and go, we will still be standing, whole, with dignity and by God’s Grace.
We are a country which represents the world in microcosm in terms of the spread of races, cultures, religions, etc. We are also a rich mix of the first and third world environments, living in close proximity to one another, unlike other parts of the world where the third world component is confined to sectors of high-density cities. In spite of this, we are, in large measure, working well together, across environments of work, sport, social, spiritual, education, etc.
A number of erudite visitors to our country have expressed their belief and given the reasons why South Africa is pre-eminently positioned to conceive and give birth to the progressive step humankind needs for the quantum leap to a better place, and away from a world becoming ever more complex and dysfunctional. They express the opinion that the South African people have the background, experience and knowledge to remove the complexity and dysfunctionality. In our country this has been a work in progress since 1994. After our first truly democratic election, many of the world media who attended our election called the occasion ’a miracle of peace’ – they had sent their war correspondents, expecting the worst.
And so, this being our untold /unfolding story – let us continue to breathe life into it always. Let us not forget that this is indeed our future. It is time for us all to actively seek the ‘high road’ that Clem Sunter has spoken about so eloquently and for so long.
Our Nelson Mandela has now gone from our sight, but his great spirit lives on in the people. Thank you, Madiba, father of our nation!
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
First of all let it be said that our country is not an easy country to govern. Our difficult history, stemming from the huge migrations of peoples southward, to the clash of interests between tribes and empires, the confusion engendered by differing cultures and creeds, as well as the alarming disparity in levels of wealth and material well-being of our peoples. Our leap of faith as we moved forward from April, 1994 was full of expectation – unrealistic, in some cases, but also realistic and healthy expectations for a fairer dispensation and ongoing improvement in standards all round for the majority of our people.
Unfortunately, for the nineteen years since April, 1994, we have watched, with increasing dread, our governing party battle to rise to the challenge that our beloved country represents. It’s not that the job was, or is, an impossible task. Our nation of people still generates an enormous font of positive energy. We are still a dynamic bunch. Charitable events /causes always evoke huge responses, and there are many organizations comprising people who selflessly devote huge amounts of time and resources to helping those in need.
A vacuum of power, leadership and accountability has arisen because of our national government’s policy of ‘cadre deployment’. This is a self-serving policy employed by an elitist political clique to retain the reins and trappings of power. Instead of ill-suited, inept people being appointed at all significant management levels, dedicated career professionals should be filling key positions in government and the administration. The good news is that most of our tertiary education institutions are producing high-quality graduates and such career professionals will be available when called upon to serve.
There are clear signs that our political environment is starting to change. The days of the power and responsibility vacuum in our national life are numbered. Our people are starting to flex their muscles in terms of increasing service delivery protests (nation-wide, almost one per day), a groundswell of opposition to rampant corruption and maladministration. Opinion polls confirm that the ruling party is losing ground. All of these factors will lead better accountability and responsibility in all vital aspects of governance.
Although the gainsayers are always ready to emphasize the negatives, the greater truth is that wherever South Africans ‘rub shoulders’, one with the other in everyday life, be it in the spiritual or social sense, be it in the work place, in schools, in universities, in sport, etc., we combine well across all the racial and cultural lines which define our rich national tapestry. This is the largely untold story of our beloved country – a story that will never go away. This is a country with a God-given destiny. The vast majority of us who call this country our home, our hope and our future are aware of this - any negative factors or influences which hold true at any given time, or which arise, will not take this away from us.
One of our greatest resources is our people who, more often than not, prove to be an asset wherever they go in the world, in terms of being hard-working and productive members of society. We hear of this daily, on an ongoing basis. In spite of how well they have done, there are many (and some who have done extremely well) that come ‘home’ by choice. They are not ‘in fear of the future’ - they say things like ‘we have come back because we know that South Africa has a bright future’. They return with their positive energy without reserve, willingly, unconditionally.
In the main, we are a well-grounded society with good values. There exists a dynamic between us that is always ready to reach out and give a ‘hand up’ to another in need. I have seen, over and again, people helping, without reserve, those in distress. I have seen ‘disadvantaged’ people helping ‘advantaged’ people, and vice versa - many times. As individuals, as families, and as members of the community we certainly have a well-grounded sense of accountability and responsibility; you only have to ask fellow South Africans who have stayed for any length of time in other countrise - they tend to confirm this. A friend of mine who travels often overseas on business tells me every time she gets off the plane at OR Tambo, she feels the ground vibrate – a tribute to the heart-beat, energy and vitality of our nation. Many are those who have come to our shores and openly declared that South Africa is a special place, and that the spirit and passion of the people are clearly special. Those of us who travel and have the yardstick by which to compare are possibly more aware of this than those who haven’t travelled.
The story of the South African people is more enduring than transient negative factors - whilst these come and go, we will still be standing, whole, with dignity and by God’s Grace.
We are a country which represents the world in microcosm in terms of the spread of races, cultures, religions, etc. We are also a rich mix of the first and third world environments, living in close proximity to one another, unlike other parts of the world where the third world component is confined to sectors of high-density cities. In spite of this, we are, in large measure, working well together, across environments of work, sport, social, spiritual, education, etc.
A number of erudite visitors to our country have expressed their belief and given the reasons why South Africa is pre-eminently positioned to conceive and give birth to the progressive step humankind needs for the quantum leap to a better place, and away from a world becoming ever more complex and dysfunctional. They express the opinion that the South African people have the background, experience and knowledge to remove the complexity and dysfunctionality. In our country this has been a work in progress since 1994. After our first truly democratic election, many of the world media who attended our election called the occasion ’a miracle of peace’ – they had sent their war correspondents, expecting the worst.
And so, this being our untold /unfolding story – let us continue to breathe life into it always. Let us not forget that this is indeed our future. It is time for us all to actively seek the ‘high road’ that Clem Sunter has spoken about so eloquently and for so long.
Our Nelson Mandela has now gone from our sight, but his great spirit lives on in the people. Thank you, Madiba, father of our nation!
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
THE OZZIES HAVE GOT IT ALL WORKED OUT !
Dear Sir,
This being my first visit to Australia, I humbly submit that I am in no way an authority on the Australian way of life or the Australian psyche. However, the following was a very thought-provoking potential expose of both, as posited to me by one of the locals over a cold beer in a lovely old Irish pub in Essendon, Melbourne.
Essentially his story went as follows: “Way back in the mists of time, when the first of those unfortunate enough to be shipped off to the antipodes began to realize their unenviable plight, it finally began to dawn upon them that there was an up-side to the whole situation. They were living in the opposite of the ‘rat race’, in the sense that they were far enough away that, if anyone in the ivory towers (head office) had urgent instructions, it took six months (plus) for the news to reach Botany Bay (branch office) in Australia - and by the time the instructions actually got there, it was obvious that the emergency had long since passed.
Now, being so far away, we (the Australians) had to become self-sufficient, in a manner of speaking. So, with the passing of time, we made do with what we had, and improvised where we had to.
As time went by, with the onset of better communications, travel, transport, ‘real time’, etc., the world effectively became a lot closer to our proverbial door-step. But we Ozzies realised that we still, by and large, had control of our situation and freedom from interference, due to the fact that ourselves and the rest of the world were /are in different time zones. Realistically, this meant that, if we played our cards right, our historic family, economic and cultural cousins effectively live on a different planet. In other words, while we are awake, the ‘rest of the world’ is asleep, AND, only when we go to sleep do the rest awaken. This means, by and large, we don’t even have to talk to them - their ‘real time’ becomes ‘down time’.
The level of technical expertise we need must only be as good as the systems we have devised to survive - these are relatively basic and only as complex as they need to be. And so, the level of graft (work) need only be as hard as it has to be to keep our way of life intact (carefully crafted by us, for reasonably comfortably survival).
In fact, when the interlopers (those who come from lands whose grasp we shrugged off in our heroic past) come (‘immigrate’) to our country to set up home and work in our Oz industry, try to show how smart-ass they are by bringing us up to date (try to tell US what to do), by changing the way we run our industry and our economy, we put up a common front.
To be frank, our ‘common front’ is our sense of humour. ‘They’ say, ‘the Ozzies are nice people, they just have such a strange sense of humour ! ’. What they don’t realize is that our ‘sense of humour’ is part of our cultural defensive armour. When ‘they’ are not around, we have a good laugh.
They’ say we are lazy. They are totally misreading the situation. You see, we’re light years ahead of them. When the first of us arrived in ye Olde Botany Bay, we realised we were on to a good thing. We got word back to those we knew and loved in the old country. Our system was so well-devised, all one had to do was steal a loaf of bread in full sight of ‘ye olde chain gang’, and, ‘Bob’s your Uncle’ - all good - ‘off to ye olde Botany Bay with ye, scoundrel !’.
Since then we have perfected our way of life in the sense that our education systems and work place culture are geared to ensure that our well-oiled -but not necessarily most efficient and perfect- systems provide sufficient largesse to allow for a reasonably comfortable journey through life AND we have more time to indulge in a our favorite activity, which is sport. And, of course, irony of ironies, we go to the ‘rat race’ and generally beat them in THEIR real time.
“Which is why we are generally a happy, smug, and, dare I say, ‘arrogant’, lot !”, finished off the venerable gentleman, as he walked off into the Melbourne night, with a naughty grin smudged across his face.
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
..from Melbourne, Australia
This being my first visit to Australia, I humbly submit that I am in no way an authority on the Australian way of life or the Australian psyche. However, the following was a very thought-provoking potential expose of both, as posited to me by one of the locals over a cold beer in a lovely old Irish pub in Essendon, Melbourne.
Essentially his story went as follows: “Way back in the mists of time, when the first of those unfortunate enough to be shipped off to the antipodes began to realize their unenviable plight, it finally began to dawn upon them that there was an up-side to the whole situation. They were living in the opposite of the ‘rat race’, in the sense that they were far enough away that, if anyone in the ivory towers (head office) had urgent instructions, it took six months (plus) for the news to reach Botany Bay (branch office) in Australia - and by the time the instructions actually got there, it was obvious that the emergency had long since passed.
Now, being so far away, we (the Australians) had to become self-sufficient, in a manner of speaking. So, with the passing of time, we made do with what we had, and improvised where we had to.
As time went by, with the onset of better communications, travel, transport, ‘real time’, etc., the world effectively became a lot closer to our proverbial door-step. But we Ozzies realised that we still, by and large, had control of our situation and freedom from interference, due to the fact that ourselves and the rest of the world were /are in different time zones. Realistically, this meant that, if we played our cards right, our historic family, economic and cultural cousins effectively live on a different planet. In other words, while we are awake, the ‘rest of the world’ is asleep, AND, only when we go to sleep do the rest awaken. This means, by and large, we don’t even have to talk to them - their ‘real time’ becomes ‘down time’.
The level of technical expertise we need must only be as good as the systems we have devised to survive - these are relatively basic and only as complex as they need to be. And so, the level of graft (work) need only be as hard as it has to be to keep our way of life intact (carefully crafted by us, for reasonably comfortably survival).
In fact, when the interlopers (those who come from lands whose grasp we shrugged off in our heroic past) come (‘immigrate’) to our country to set up home and work in our Oz industry, try to show how smart-ass they are by bringing us up to date (try to tell US what to do), by changing the way we run our industry and our economy, we put up a common front.
To be frank, our ‘common front’ is our sense of humour. ‘They’ say, ‘the Ozzies are nice people, they just have such a strange sense of humour ! ’. What they don’t realize is that our ‘sense of humour’ is part of our cultural defensive armour. When ‘they’ are not around, we have a good laugh.
They’ say we are lazy. They are totally misreading the situation. You see, we’re light years ahead of them. When the first of us arrived in ye Olde Botany Bay, we realised we were on to a good thing. We got word back to those we knew and loved in the old country. Our system was so well-devised, all one had to do was steal a loaf of bread in full sight of ‘ye olde chain gang’, and, ‘Bob’s your Uncle’ - all good - ‘off to ye olde Botany Bay with ye, scoundrel !’.
Since then we have perfected our way of life in the sense that our education systems and work place culture are geared to ensure that our well-oiled -but not necessarily most efficient and perfect- systems provide sufficient largesse to allow for a reasonably comfortable journey through life AND we have more time to indulge in a our favorite activity, which is sport. And, of course, irony of ironies, we go to the ‘rat race’ and generally beat them in THEIR real time.
“Which is why we are generally a happy, smug, and, dare I say, ‘arrogant’, lot !”, finished off the venerable gentleman, as he walked off into the Melbourne night, with a naughty grin smudged across his face.
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
..from Melbourne, Australia
E-TOLLING WILL LEAD TO CIVIL DISORDER
Dear Sir,
Regarding the issue of the ‘e-tolling’ of the Gauteng freeways, I believe that the government needs to understand why there will be a groundswell of anger if they go ahead and toll our freeways. When the majority of our poorer citizens realise that the consequential and considerable increase in the costs of basic foodstuffs, travel costs, etc., the tragedy that was Marikana will look like a storm in a teacup. When Moms & Dads all over the country realise they cannot afford to clothe their children, give them a small lunch box for school, etc., anger will begin to abound in the hearths of millions of homes in our country.
The recent announcement that the e-toll system will be implemented on Gauteng freeways has made it clear that the ANC government are committed to going ahead with this iniquitous system.
The ANC government should carefully consider the following:-
1. For hundreds of years, authorities have built ‘public’ roads, travelled on at no direct cost to the user, to stimulate economic growth (‘public’ implies ‘not private’). The costs to the user of this tolling project will very definitely stifle economic growth, as well as having a considerable inflationary effect.
2. Our ministries of transport have been allocated budgeted amounts, year after year, to maintain existing roads. It is a matter of record that these budgets constantly remained largely unspent. Why ? Where did the money go ? The then incumbent Gauteng Minister of Transport, Ignatius Jacobs, offered the response that they couldn’t find the suitable people to do the maintenance !
3. Historically, a large component of the fuel levy we pay is for road maintenance. Where has this money gone ? If someone changed allocation of fuel levies, who made the decision ? –and why were we not advised of this ?
4. The fuel levy we the public (bus/taxi users, commerce & industry, private individuals) currently pay comprises over R3 per litre.
5. If 20cents is added to the fuel levy this will yield R27billion, we are told.
6. The transport /road authorities have said that an amount levied nationally on fuel to fund Gauteng freeways ‘is not fair’ is patently not true. This ongoing levy will benefit roads nationally.
Various authoritative sources, have suggested figures of an additional 16 cents and 36 cents per litre (depending on how the cost is amortised) on the fuel price would have covered the entire cost of the freeway improvement project, with negligible collection costs and greater accountability. These amounts, in terms of
an average size passenger vehicle (10k/litre), would translate to a cost of between 1 cent and 4 cents per kilometer of freeway travelled (instead of the 40, now 30 cents our government is legislating) – and all the money collected via the fuel levy would go directly to funding the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, as well as ongoing maintenance on national roads.
7. An Austrian company has been ‘appointed’ to administer the project. Why ? What selection criteria were used ? Why should we be paying the billions in outflow to a foreign country that this arrangement entails ? Was the decision made because it would then be easier for a corrupt government / individuals in government and/or the governing party to have part of that money re-directed back to themselves, without the citizens of the country knowing ?
8. Most importantly, the inflationary effect of e-tolling Gauteng freeways is, even to the simplest of minds, very obvious. Every goods-bearing truck will be paying heavily for use of the ‘freeway’. According to our country’s professional economists, the inflationary effect will be significant ! This will also result in increased costs for, amongst many other commodities, basic essentials. Whilst the very wealthy can survive inflation without any real problems, the vast majority of South Africans families, including middle, lower middle income and lower income, are adversely affected by it.
9. It is a fact that lower income families are already financially stretched to breaking point. The inflationary effect of the government’s grand scheme of Gauteng’s e-tolling project will lead to increased wage demands across the board, leading to widespread strikes across industry & commerce. Is there any wonder why COSATU is standing steadfast against the project ?
10.The fact is that the cost-effect of the Gauteng freeway improvements e-tolling project on inflation is much greater than it needed to be. Why is the answer to this question still not forthcoming ?
The tragedy of Marikana occurred because of poor management of an explosive situation –with tragic results- from the side of organised labour, company management and government.
Think again Jacob Zuma and the rest of you in the ANC - you who are supposed to be the caretakers of our nation’s future ! The writing is on the wall and you will stand alone on this one.
You provoke the righteous anger of our people at your peril !
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
Regarding the issue of the ‘e-tolling’ of the Gauteng freeways, I believe that the government needs to understand why there will be a groundswell of anger if they go ahead and toll our freeways. When the majority of our poorer citizens realise that the consequential and considerable increase in the costs of basic foodstuffs, travel costs, etc., the tragedy that was Marikana will look like a storm in a teacup. When Moms & Dads all over the country realise they cannot afford to clothe their children, give them a small lunch box for school, etc., anger will begin to abound in the hearths of millions of homes in our country.
The recent announcement that the e-toll system will be implemented on Gauteng freeways has made it clear that the ANC government are committed to going ahead with this iniquitous system.
The ANC government should carefully consider the following:-
1. For hundreds of years, authorities have built ‘public’ roads, travelled on at no direct cost to the user, to stimulate economic growth (‘public’ implies ‘not private’). The costs to the user of this tolling project will very definitely stifle economic growth, as well as having a considerable inflationary effect.
2. Our ministries of transport have been allocated budgeted amounts, year after year, to maintain existing roads. It is a matter of record that these budgets constantly remained largely unspent. Why ? Where did the money go ? The then incumbent Gauteng Minister of Transport, Ignatius Jacobs, offered the response that they couldn’t find the suitable people to do the maintenance !
3. Historically, a large component of the fuel levy we pay is for road maintenance. Where has this money gone ? If someone changed allocation of fuel levies, who made the decision ? –and why were we not advised of this ?
4. The fuel levy we the public (bus/taxi users, commerce & industry, private individuals) currently pay comprises over R3 per litre.
5. If 20cents is added to the fuel levy this will yield R27billion, we are told.
6. The transport /road authorities have said that an amount levied nationally on fuel to fund Gauteng freeways ‘is not fair’ is patently not true. This ongoing levy will benefit roads nationally.
Various authoritative sources, have suggested figures of an additional 16 cents and 36 cents per litre (depending on how the cost is amortised) on the fuel price would have covered the entire cost of the freeway improvement project, with negligible collection costs and greater accountability. These amounts, in terms of
an average size passenger vehicle (10k/litre), would translate to a cost of between 1 cent and 4 cents per kilometer of freeway travelled (instead of the 40, now 30 cents our government is legislating) – and all the money collected via the fuel levy would go directly to funding the Gauteng Freeway Improvement Project, as well as ongoing maintenance on national roads.
7. An Austrian company has been ‘appointed’ to administer the project. Why ? What selection criteria were used ? Why should we be paying the billions in outflow to a foreign country that this arrangement entails ? Was the decision made because it would then be easier for a corrupt government / individuals in government and/or the governing party to have part of that money re-directed back to themselves, without the citizens of the country knowing ?
8. Most importantly, the inflationary effect of e-tolling Gauteng freeways is, even to the simplest of minds, very obvious. Every goods-bearing truck will be paying heavily for use of the ‘freeway’. According to our country’s professional economists, the inflationary effect will be significant ! This will also result in increased costs for, amongst many other commodities, basic essentials. Whilst the very wealthy can survive inflation without any real problems, the vast majority of South Africans families, including middle, lower middle income and lower income, are adversely affected by it.
9. It is a fact that lower income families are already financially stretched to breaking point. The inflationary effect of the government’s grand scheme of Gauteng’s e-tolling project will lead to increased wage demands across the board, leading to widespread strikes across industry & commerce. Is there any wonder why COSATU is standing steadfast against the project ?
10.The fact is that the cost-effect of the Gauteng freeway improvements e-tolling project on inflation is much greater than it needed to be. Why is the answer to this question still not forthcoming ?
The tragedy of Marikana occurred because of poor management of an explosive situation –with tragic results- from the side of organised labour, company management and government.
Think again Jacob Zuma and the rest of you in the ANC - you who are supposed to be the caretakers of our nation’s future ! The writing is on the wall and you will stand alone on this one.
You provoke the righteous anger of our people at your peril !
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
LET YOUR SPIRIT JIVE AND SURVIVE!
Dear Sir,
When we are involved in things which require effort and creativity, there is always a spiritual component at play.
When we play our music, be it the blues, classical or pop, or go to the movies, theatre, and so on, all of these have a calming, uplifting /rousing effect on our spiritual beings. I believe we often tend to underestimate the beneficial and restorative effects of such activities.
This being the case, should we not make it ‘non-negotiable’ that part of our time, on a regular basis, includes (in one aspect and /or extent or another) listening to music, doing recreational reading, singing, dancing, laughing together and at ourselves, talking with and listening to those we love and care for? All of this speaks to our ‘inner being’, our spiritual self. Our spirit is as much a part of us as is our mind and physical being. The problem is that when our minds and bodies are constantly engaged, without break, in our headlong rush to survive and (over/) achieve, our spirits recede into a sterile backdrop, getting smaller and weaker, and then, even smaller still. As a result, our spirit is not in the forefront with us to do what no one else can do, i.e. to restore to us the energy, the inspiration, the ‘joy of life’ that sustains us for the unfolding, multi-layered and multi-textured personal journey of life that lies before us.
If we experience a breakdown, whether it’s labeled ‘nervous’ or ‘emotional’, we can still get up and walk (physical being). We can also still think and speak (the mind, or ‘mental being’). The problem is, we actually don’t want to do anything - we also don’t particularly want to think, speak or ‘get involved’. So, although our mental and physical selves are clinically ‘intact’, our spirit has been disempowered. A quick look in the eyes of a person who has suffered a breakdown reveals the emptiness of the core within - the spirit‘s ‘not at home’.
I have lived long enough to have witnessed (in myself and others) the loneliness and the heartbrokenness (substitute ‘spirit-brokenness’) this brings.
Without intending to be ‘religious’ (but without apology), there is a scripture which quotes as follows “Be still and know that I am God.” In the God-Spiritual sense, the context is obviously sacrosanct. Complementary to this, in my own understanding, I have always regarded this as a strong reminder from God to us, that, in our head-long rush, we must not leave our spirit out of life’s equation in general. As part of our daily walk, we need to allow our spirits free-rein to walk ‘shoulder to shoulder’ and ‘arm in arm’ with us.
A small personal example: In my professional life, there is a good deal of interpersonal activity as well as hard work. I sure do enjoy my work, but, at times, it does take a toll on me. During the course of my working day, in between times, I am in the car. This allows me to play music that quickens my spirit (I am blessed with a broad taste in music). Even during particularly difficult days, when ‘on the road’, music fills my cabin, the spirit breathes, soars and I am revitalized no matter how ‘tough’ the day.
Is my spirit restricted to a love of music ? No. I enjoy reading, watching sport, wildlife programs, keeping up with current events, mentoring younger friends (mostly ‘upwardly mobile’, but some going through hurt and tough times) with daily SMS-d, motivational meditations - in all of this, my spirit is deeply involved. My creative side is writing - about the country where I live and which I love, and about the human condition. Writing can, at times, be hard, draining work, but, you know what? –somehow it makes me stronger, because my spirit ‘jumps out of his skin’, flexes his ‘muscles’ and we become immeasurably stronger.
Even those whom I know who say “there is no god” will freely confess that they have a spirit. Isn’t that profound?
One day, when the outlook seemed bleak indeed, out of nowhere something tickled my funny bone. In that lonely, dark place, I laughed spontaneously, thinking ‘how bad can things get? – something had stirred within me. Was it a sense of self-preservation? Yes, indeed, it was! Our humorous spirit was included in the ‘build-model’ as a suit of armor – it is, undeniably, one of the greatest stress-relievers!
My initiating spirit when I sat down to put pen to paper was the strong desire that we ensure that we keep well away from the ‘slippery slope’ of spiritual breakdown. In addition to this, we also need to increase awareness, generally, so others who, unknowingly, are edging closer to the ‘slippery slope’ can pull themselves firmly back on track.
It also true to say that those going through a spiritual breakdown must begin (and then accelerate) the healing process by using as crutches those activities that quicken, uplift, strengthen, inspire, motivate and/or challenge their spirit. When this happens, although the spirit is going to gym for a workout, without these specific crutches, healing is well-nigh impossible. With them, the spirit-healing process can begin and then continue at an increasing pace - and the lessons learned are learned forever!
For each and every one of us, in our daily walk, we need to remember that we have a spirit that needs to walk beside us, pro-act and breathe freely.
Alright, Bro – what’s it gonna be? Jazz or Pucini? Whatever, my man, as long as it’s something, and as long as it’s real cool!
Go for it!
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
When we are involved in things which require effort and creativity, there is always a spiritual component at play.
When we play our music, be it the blues, classical or pop, or go to the movies, theatre, and so on, all of these have a calming, uplifting /rousing effect on our spiritual beings. I believe we often tend to underestimate the beneficial and restorative effects of such activities.
This being the case, should we not make it ‘non-negotiable’ that part of our time, on a regular basis, includes (in one aspect and /or extent or another) listening to music, doing recreational reading, singing, dancing, laughing together and at ourselves, talking with and listening to those we love and care for? All of this speaks to our ‘inner being’, our spiritual self. Our spirit is as much a part of us as is our mind and physical being. The problem is that when our minds and bodies are constantly engaged, without break, in our headlong rush to survive and (over/) achieve, our spirits recede into a sterile backdrop, getting smaller and weaker, and then, even smaller still. As a result, our spirit is not in the forefront with us to do what no one else can do, i.e. to restore to us the energy, the inspiration, the ‘joy of life’ that sustains us for the unfolding, multi-layered and multi-textured personal journey of life that lies before us.
If we experience a breakdown, whether it’s labeled ‘nervous’ or ‘emotional’, we can still get up and walk (physical being). We can also still think and speak (the mind, or ‘mental being’). The problem is, we actually don’t want to do anything - we also don’t particularly want to think, speak or ‘get involved’. So, although our mental and physical selves are clinically ‘intact’, our spirit has been disempowered. A quick look in the eyes of a person who has suffered a breakdown reveals the emptiness of the core within - the spirit‘s ‘not at home’.
I have lived long enough to have witnessed (in myself and others) the loneliness and the heartbrokenness (substitute ‘spirit-brokenness’) this brings.
Without intending to be ‘religious’ (but without apology), there is a scripture which quotes as follows “Be still and know that I am God.” In the God-Spiritual sense, the context is obviously sacrosanct. Complementary to this, in my own understanding, I have always regarded this as a strong reminder from God to us, that, in our head-long rush, we must not leave our spirit out of life’s equation in general. As part of our daily walk, we need to allow our spirits free-rein to walk ‘shoulder to shoulder’ and ‘arm in arm’ with us.
A small personal example: In my professional life, there is a good deal of interpersonal activity as well as hard work. I sure do enjoy my work, but, at times, it does take a toll on me. During the course of my working day, in between times, I am in the car. This allows me to play music that quickens my spirit (I am blessed with a broad taste in music). Even during particularly difficult days, when ‘on the road’, music fills my cabin, the spirit breathes, soars and I am revitalized no matter how ‘tough’ the day.
Is my spirit restricted to a love of music ? No. I enjoy reading, watching sport, wildlife programs, keeping up with current events, mentoring younger friends (mostly ‘upwardly mobile’, but some going through hurt and tough times) with daily SMS-d, motivational meditations - in all of this, my spirit is deeply involved. My creative side is writing - about the country where I live and which I love, and about the human condition. Writing can, at times, be hard, draining work, but, you know what? –somehow it makes me stronger, because my spirit ‘jumps out of his skin’, flexes his ‘muscles’ and we become immeasurably stronger.
Even those whom I know who say “there is no god” will freely confess that they have a spirit. Isn’t that profound?
One day, when the outlook seemed bleak indeed, out of nowhere something tickled my funny bone. In that lonely, dark place, I laughed spontaneously, thinking ‘how bad can things get? – something had stirred within me. Was it a sense of self-preservation? Yes, indeed, it was! Our humorous spirit was included in the ‘build-model’ as a suit of armor – it is, undeniably, one of the greatest stress-relievers!
My initiating spirit when I sat down to put pen to paper was the strong desire that we ensure that we keep well away from the ‘slippery slope’ of spiritual breakdown. In addition to this, we also need to increase awareness, generally, so others who, unknowingly, are edging closer to the ‘slippery slope’ can pull themselves firmly back on track.
It also true to say that those going through a spiritual breakdown must begin (and then accelerate) the healing process by using as crutches those activities that quicken, uplift, strengthen, inspire, motivate and/or challenge their spirit. When this happens, although the spirit is going to gym for a workout, without these specific crutches, healing is well-nigh impossible. With them, the spirit-healing process can begin and then continue at an increasing pace - and the lessons learned are learned forever!
For each and every one of us, in our daily walk, we need to remember that we have a spirit that needs to walk beside us, pro-act and breathe freely.
Alright, Bro – what’s it gonna be? Jazz or Pucini? Whatever, my man, as long as it’s something, and as long as it’s real cool!
Go for it!
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
SOUTH AFRICA SHALL SURVIVE & THRIVE!
Dear Sir,
Events that led to Bishop Desmond Tutu coining the phrase ‘The Rainbow Nation’ started with the release of Nelson Mandela. Many thought that the run up to and the event of the first democratic elections would be a time fraught with danger. History shows that it was, in fact, a peaceful transition. Some overseas media organisations sent their war correspondents to cover what they thought was going to be a violent chapter in South Africa’s history. The vast majority of our citizens, from all walks of life and from all creeds, cultures and races went forward from that point in time with hope and with an optimism fired with a determined spirit.
I do believe today that the hope, optimism and determination are still largely intact and vibrant in many important respects among our South African men, women and children. I see it and experience it in my daily life. Due to the nature of my work and everyday life, I get to meet many people from all walks of life - in family, social and business situations.
As does every nation, South Africa has problems. Due to our history, we have a combination of circumstances that makes us fairly unique:-
- We are the largest commercial and industrial entity in Africa by some measure.
- We have the clearly defined mix of first and third world.
- In terms of cultures and religions, the main ones have a definite and vibrant presence.
- We have the extremely rich and the very poor, and all the stepped off levels between the two.
- We are living, working and socialising together in a way that does not happen in anything like the same scale or extent (in proportionate terms) anywhere else.
Given all the foregoing, we have problems, some of which are serious - most of us have a pretty good idea what they are. Some appear intractable. However, at the level of the person in the street, I perceive that the critical mass of people are making a go of the concept of our ‘Rainbow Nation’ – they are putting their hearts and their substance on the line.
Some South Africans (by no means the majority, I believe) have become disillusioned and then cynical. Cynicism is no respecter of race, socio-economic level, creed or religion.
An important part of the global economy is the need for capital to develop the means of production. In this regard, capital is a global resource, and it generally is attracted to those nations where economies have the necessary supporting environment / infrastructure and political /business stability to allow for successful outcomes.
A very real problem we have is that our political elite are letting us down. It is the single biggest problem, as it reverberates through the fabric of our national life like a demolition ball. We, as a nation, are, in many ways, going forward. The effects and consequences of the deeds and failings of our political governing class are like strong chains that hold us back. It’s as if we are doing an obstacle course, with the occasional patch of quicksand, the occasional sinkhole and, apparently, no clear path ahead.
Because our political leaders are high profile people and because their behavior and policy decisions have far-reaching consequences, when they mess up, the results can be cataclysmic. In terms of poor governance and rampant corruption, many of our essential services overseen by government agencies and civil servants are imploding. Health, education and the police services spring to mind immediately. We have lost 80% of a generation of school children due to lack of facilities and abysmal teaching standards and the recently discarded ‘outcomes-based’ education system (which has left large numbers of our children innumerate and illiterate). Horror stories are constantly coming out of our government-run hospitals. In our recent past, of two heads of the police force, one was jailed for corruption and the other is suspended for not following due process in lease deals worth over R1b for police headquarter premises in Pretoria and Durban. Our crime intelligence services have been /are being used by politicians to settle old political scores and to ensure their grip on power.
In spite of the fact that the situation looks dire, I do believe that as a country, as a people, we deserve better. And because we deserve better, I also believe we will achieve a better situation in the political realm than the one that now constrains us. The spirit and the will of the people will prevail to the extent that the present malfeasance in government will not continue unchecked. I believe that people will increasingly use whatever means at their disposal (including the judiciary, all the way to the Constitutional Court) to obtain justice from a government that is flagrantly disregarding our constitutional rights as a nation of people and individuals in many areas. In many of those ‘areas’, the government is under-achieving and in many others it is completely delinquent - and they (government) don’t appear to give a hoot ! I believe that people will change their voting patterns. I believe the nature of municipal, provincial and national politics will change because the will to change is in our hearts and souls.
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia,
Johannesburg
Events that led to Bishop Desmond Tutu coining the phrase ‘The Rainbow Nation’ started with the release of Nelson Mandela. Many thought that the run up to and the event of the first democratic elections would be a time fraught with danger. History shows that it was, in fact, a peaceful transition. Some overseas media organisations sent their war correspondents to cover what they thought was going to be a violent chapter in South Africa’s history. The vast majority of our citizens, from all walks of life and from all creeds, cultures and races went forward from that point in time with hope and with an optimism fired with a determined spirit.
I do believe today that the hope, optimism and determination are still largely intact and vibrant in many important respects among our South African men, women and children. I see it and experience it in my daily life. Due to the nature of my work and everyday life, I get to meet many people from all walks of life - in family, social and business situations.
As does every nation, South Africa has problems. Due to our history, we have a combination of circumstances that makes us fairly unique:-
- We are the largest commercial and industrial entity in Africa by some measure.
- We have the clearly defined mix of first and third world.
- In terms of cultures and religions, the main ones have a definite and vibrant presence.
- We have the extremely rich and the very poor, and all the stepped off levels between the two.
- We are living, working and socialising together in a way that does not happen in anything like the same scale or extent (in proportionate terms) anywhere else.
Given all the foregoing, we have problems, some of which are serious - most of us have a pretty good idea what they are. Some appear intractable. However, at the level of the person in the street, I perceive that the critical mass of people are making a go of the concept of our ‘Rainbow Nation’ – they are putting their hearts and their substance on the line.
Some South Africans (by no means the majority, I believe) have become disillusioned and then cynical. Cynicism is no respecter of race, socio-economic level, creed or religion.
An important part of the global economy is the need for capital to develop the means of production. In this regard, capital is a global resource, and it generally is attracted to those nations where economies have the necessary supporting environment / infrastructure and political /business stability to allow for successful outcomes.
A very real problem we have is that our political elite are letting us down. It is the single biggest problem, as it reverberates through the fabric of our national life like a demolition ball. We, as a nation, are, in many ways, going forward. The effects and consequences of the deeds and failings of our political governing class are like strong chains that hold us back. It’s as if we are doing an obstacle course, with the occasional patch of quicksand, the occasional sinkhole and, apparently, no clear path ahead.
Because our political leaders are high profile people and because their behavior and policy decisions have far-reaching consequences, when they mess up, the results can be cataclysmic. In terms of poor governance and rampant corruption, many of our essential services overseen by government agencies and civil servants are imploding. Health, education and the police services spring to mind immediately. We have lost 80% of a generation of school children due to lack of facilities and abysmal teaching standards and the recently discarded ‘outcomes-based’ education system (which has left large numbers of our children innumerate and illiterate). Horror stories are constantly coming out of our government-run hospitals. In our recent past, of two heads of the police force, one was jailed for corruption and the other is suspended for not following due process in lease deals worth over R1b for police headquarter premises in Pretoria and Durban. Our crime intelligence services have been /are being used by politicians to settle old political scores and to ensure their grip on power.
In spite of the fact that the situation looks dire, I do believe that as a country, as a people, we deserve better. And because we deserve better, I also believe we will achieve a better situation in the political realm than the one that now constrains us. The spirit and the will of the people will prevail to the extent that the present malfeasance in government will not continue unchecked. I believe that people will increasingly use whatever means at their disposal (including the judiciary, all the way to the Constitutional Court) to obtain justice from a government that is flagrantly disregarding our constitutional rights as a nation of people and individuals in many areas. In many of those ‘areas’, the government is under-achieving and in many others it is completely delinquent - and they (government) don’t appear to give a hoot ! I believe that people will change their voting patterns. I believe the nature of municipal, provincial and national politics will change because the will to change is in our hearts and souls.
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia,
Johannesburg
ARE WE (SOUTH AFRICA) BEING SOLD DOWN THE RIVER ?
Dear Sir,
Do the publicly-declared links President Jacob Zuma has with Viv Reddy, the wealthy KZN businessman, and the alleged links he has with the super-wealthy Gupta family represent a potentially illegal /corrupt relationship between political (policy) decision-making power and extreme wealth. If it is found that the Public Works Department paid only for security upgrades at Zuma’s private estate at Nkandla, where did the rest of money come from ? Is our country’s national heritage being auctioned off to moneyed and powerful foreign /business political interests ? Are the extensive additions to Nkandla Estate the fruit of Zuma’s corrupt relationships ? When he says that ‘our family’ paid for the improvements to Nkandla, is he implying that the Public Works Department didn’t pay, are we to take it that ‘his family’ obtained the money from aforementioned Zuma family benefactors (because the ‘family’, we strongly suspect, doesn’t have their own capital resources this scale of expenditure represents) ? Of course, if President Zuma were to actually tell us that the Guptas and the Reddys of this world paid for the improvements, his political life could well be at an end ! As things stand, Viv Reddy openly confirmed recently that he played an active part in enabling enhancements to Nkandla.
In the earliest days of our fledgling democracy in the early-mid 1990s, in spite of a general global trend to drop trade barriers, our leaders (ANC politicians) were advised by the international community that we had a recognized case (as an emerging democracy with an economy recovering from sanctions) to put in place trade barriers to protect our still-fledgling (-and erstwhile closed) economy. Certain categories, i.e. textiles and clothing, and certain of our light- industry sectors were eminently eligible for protection. History shows that our politicians chose to ignore this advice. They welcomed, with open arms, senior Chinese figures who visited our country in the run up to and immediately after 1994, and our senior political figures were, in turn, receiving very warm state welcomes by the top Chinese elite. Since 1994, our clothing industry has shed some 17 000 jobs. Another example, being but one of many in the SME (small to medium- sized enterprise) category, is that of an East Rand business making ovens for commercial bakeries. The company employed some 135 staff. An average sized bakery oven was being sold for R35 000 - these ovens would last for at least ten years. The Chinese brought in their bakery ovens, selling them for R6 000. These ovens were made with cheaper materials and not-the-most-competent manufacturing process, lasting on average only sixteen months. In spite of this, it has had a devastating effect on the aforementioned East Rand business, which now employs only 12 people, servicing only small fraction of its original market. Just two examples of many !
Recently a financial pundit on one of Sky TV’s business programs said that that the ongoing and increasing use of the world-wide, all-embracing internet is beginning to lead to a fundamental change to investment patterns, which would, in turn, also reduce the financial leverage available to national government to indulge in endemic, large-scale corruption - this would, in turn, take away their ability to so freely travel on the ‘gravy train’. If that indeed be the case, roll on that day - we shall all shout as one “Hallelujah” !
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia,
Johannesburg
Do the publicly-declared links President Jacob Zuma has with Viv Reddy, the wealthy KZN businessman, and the alleged links he has with the super-wealthy Gupta family represent a potentially illegal /corrupt relationship between political (policy) decision-making power and extreme wealth. If it is found that the Public Works Department paid only for security upgrades at Zuma’s private estate at Nkandla, where did the rest of money come from ? Is our country’s national heritage being auctioned off to moneyed and powerful foreign /business political interests ? Are the extensive additions to Nkandla Estate the fruit of Zuma’s corrupt relationships ? When he says that ‘our family’ paid for the improvements to Nkandla, is he implying that the Public Works Department didn’t pay, are we to take it that ‘his family’ obtained the money from aforementioned Zuma family benefactors (because the ‘family’, we strongly suspect, doesn’t have their own capital resources this scale of expenditure represents) ? Of course, if President Zuma were to actually tell us that the Guptas and the Reddys of this world paid for the improvements, his political life could well be at an end ! As things stand, Viv Reddy openly confirmed recently that he played an active part in enabling enhancements to Nkandla.
In the earliest days of our fledgling democracy in the early-mid 1990s, in spite of a general global trend to drop trade barriers, our leaders (ANC politicians) were advised by the international community that we had a recognized case (as an emerging democracy with an economy recovering from sanctions) to put in place trade barriers to protect our still-fledgling (-and erstwhile closed) economy. Certain categories, i.e. textiles and clothing, and certain of our light- industry sectors were eminently eligible for protection. History shows that our politicians chose to ignore this advice. They welcomed, with open arms, senior Chinese figures who visited our country in the run up to and immediately after 1994, and our senior political figures were, in turn, receiving very warm state welcomes by the top Chinese elite. Since 1994, our clothing industry has shed some 17 000 jobs. Another example, being but one of many in the SME (small to medium- sized enterprise) category, is that of an East Rand business making ovens for commercial bakeries. The company employed some 135 staff. An average sized bakery oven was being sold for R35 000 - these ovens would last for at least ten years. The Chinese brought in their bakery ovens, selling them for R6 000. These ovens were made with cheaper materials and not-the-most-competent manufacturing process, lasting on average only sixteen months. In spite of this, it has had a devastating effect on the aforementioned East Rand business, which now employs only 12 people, servicing only small fraction of its original market. Just two examples of many !
Recently a financial pundit on one of Sky TV’s business programs said that that the ongoing and increasing use of the world-wide, all-embracing internet is beginning to lead to a fundamental change to investment patterns, which would, in turn, also reduce the financial leverage available to national government to indulge in endemic, large-scale corruption - this would, in turn, take away their ability to so freely travel on the ‘gravy train’. If that indeed be the case, roll on that day - we shall all shout as one “Hallelujah” !
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia,
Johannesburg
DEVOLUTION OF POWER
Dear Sir,
-WE NEED MORE SAY IN POLICY MAKING THAT AFFECTS US SO FUNDAMENTALLY-
Way back in the mists of time, the prophet Samuel said to God ” Your people have asked that you give them a king. It seems they are not happy with me.” God replied “No, it is not you, but me they are rejecting. They have me - they do not need a king.”
When Samuel told the Israelites what God had said, they were not happy, saying “ We want a king who will raise an army that will go before us and fight our battles, as do the armies of other nations.” By this time, God had already historically fought and won many battles for His chosen people.
The Israelites persisted in their request and God relented. Samuel duly anointed Saul the first king of Israel.
Thus began a change in terms of power, authority and accountability. In a sense, the Israelites were attempting to shift loads of issues upwards to the king, who would be accountable to God. They were, and I believe the unfolding story of the Israelites at that time depicts this, weary of worrying about many life issues which, in fact, God had historically taken care of for them, and would continue to take care of for them - all they had to do was accept responsibility and accountability for issues surrounding their existence, and live according to His basic spiritual values.
Fast forward to the present. I arrived home late one evening, turning on the TV just in time to watch the start of a thought-provoking program entitled “Is there a better way to run the world ?”. The program summarised the failures and inadequacies of almost all types of governments the world over.
The background research of those responsible for the program led them to examples in Brazil and in Holland, where communities, in both cases,had disbanded their elected municipal administrations, as they had been totally useless. They instead decided to convene regular /periodic meetings, to which all citizens were invited, at a local venue of suitable size to debate and vote on issues. In both cases, the meetings identified and prioritized the issues facing their communities. In the Brazilian example, it was agreed that the biggest problem being experience (and to which resources should be urgently allocated) was the plight of the near-destitute people who lived in the area of the river nearby. Their rationale was that the human suffering , as well as the health and security risks to the environment as a whole required urgent attention. The level of deprivation amongst these people resulted in a high crime level and proven health risks to the town as a whole. In the case of the community in Holland, the result was very much the same.
In the era of the ‘golden age of democracy’ in, for example, the United Kingdom several hundred years ago, people who stood for parliament were generally people of independent means, i.e. wealthy people, etc. In those days, the offspring of wealthy families were, in turn, allocated to the army, the clergy, the colonial service and politics. The objective was to not so much to earn a living from your endeavors, but to serve the country and its people to the best of your ability.
Insofar as parliamentary elections were concerned, each candidate was elected by his or her local community to represent its interests in parliament (even although such a person was also a member of one of the political parties of the day).
By comparison, in South Africa today, people become members of parliament according to the rules of proportional representation and party lists. Because of this there is a total disconnect between power and accountability at the most basic level, which results in a disconnect all the way up the power structures -
there is just no one to talk to who will really listen when you have a real problem relating to aspects of deliverability /governance at any level or on any scale.
People in charge in our parliamentary and administration structures (ministers and directors general) were allocated their positions on the rules of patronage, which are linked to the level of support they bring, on ongoing basis, to the person above them /who appointed them. To maintain this support requires resources with which to establish and continue patronage at all levels. This corrupt system explains the dismal to disastrous levels of delivery that are dragging, and continue to drag, our country down further. Although the ongoing E-toll saga is a classic example of bad decision-making fuelled by greed, government at the highest levels inability to understand the catastrophic economic consequences for the vast majority of its South Africans (the poor and disadvantaged, as well as the up-and-coming middle class which provides the economic heartbeat of our nation) reveals the extent of the disconnect between power (the government) and accountability to the people, this being the ultimate reality.
I do believe that in our beloved nation today, the wheel is now discernibly turning. Our people, in the overall sense, are beginning to get the message. We must take responsibility back from this useless and dysfunctional lot at the very top. I sense a changing dynamic - many people’s spirits and hearts are being quickened to the sense that it is time for urgent change ! We look upwards for inspiration. Our country has a destiny which I believe is part of God’s greater plan ! I know many of my fellow South Africans forming the rich spectrum our broad rainbow believe as I do - they have told me so !.
Do I know how this dynamic for change will manifest itself ? I will freely admit that I don’t. But I can reaffirm with an open heart that I strongly believe it is on its way.
Time for looking back and being dragged down by negative energy has passed. The time for those who use the past to gain political advantage at the cost of absolutely all our people, and particularly at the cost of the poorest and most afflicted has passed
It is time to go forward, dear and well-beloved country !
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia,
Johannesburg
-WE NEED MORE SAY IN POLICY MAKING THAT AFFECTS US SO FUNDAMENTALLY-
Way back in the mists of time, the prophet Samuel said to God ” Your people have asked that you give them a king. It seems they are not happy with me.” God replied “No, it is not you, but me they are rejecting. They have me - they do not need a king.”
When Samuel told the Israelites what God had said, they were not happy, saying “ We want a king who will raise an army that will go before us and fight our battles, as do the armies of other nations.” By this time, God had already historically fought and won many battles for His chosen people.
The Israelites persisted in their request and God relented. Samuel duly anointed Saul the first king of Israel.
Thus began a change in terms of power, authority and accountability. In a sense, the Israelites were attempting to shift loads of issues upwards to the king, who would be accountable to God. They were, and I believe the unfolding story of the Israelites at that time depicts this, weary of worrying about many life issues which, in fact, God had historically taken care of for them, and would continue to take care of for them - all they had to do was accept responsibility and accountability for issues surrounding their existence, and live according to His basic spiritual values.
Fast forward to the present. I arrived home late one evening, turning on the TV just in time to watch the start of a thought-provoking program entitled “Is there a better way to run the world ?”. The program summarised the failures and inadequacies of almost all types of governments the world over.
The background research of those responsible for the program led them to examples in Brazil and in Holland, where communities, in both cases,had disbanded their elected municipal administrations, as they had been totally useless. They instead decided to convene regular /periodic meetings, to which all citizens were invited, at a local venue of suitable size to debate and vote on issues. In both cases, the meetings identified and prioritized the issues facing their communities. In the Brazilian example, it was agreed that the biggest problem being experience (and to which resources should be urgently allocated) was the plight of the near-destitute people who lived in the area of the river nearby. Their rationale was that the human suffering , as well as the health and security risks to the environment as a whole required urgent attention. The level of deprivation amongst these people resulted in a high crime level and proven health risks to the town as a whole. In the case of the community in Holland, the result was very much the same.
In the era of the ‘golden age of democracy’ in, for example, the United Kingdom several hundred years ago, people who stood for parliament were generally people of independent means, i.e. wealthy people, etc. In those days, the offspring of wealthy families were, in turn, allocated to the army, the clergy, the colonial service and politics. The objective was to not so much to earn a living from your endeavors, but to serve the country and its people to the best of your ability.
Insofar as parliamentary elections were concerned, each candidate was elected by his or her local community to represent its interests in parliament (even although such a person was also a member of one of the political parties of the day).
By comparison, in South Africa today, people become members of parliament according to the rules of proportional representation and party lists. Because of this there is a total disconnect between power and accountability at the most basic level, which results in a disconnect all the way up the power structures -
there is just no one to talk to who will really listen when you have a real problem relating to aspects of deliverability /governance at any level or on any scale.
People in charge in our parliamentary and administration structures (ministers and directors general) were allocated their positions on the rules of patronage, which are linked to the level of support they bring, on ongoing basis, to the person above them /who appointed them. To maintain this support requires resources with which to establish and continue patronage at all levels. This corrupt system explains the dismal to disastrous levels of delivery that are dragging, and continue to drag, our country down further. Although the ongoing E-toll saga is a classic example of bad decision-making fuelled by greed, government at the highest levels inability to understand the catastrophic economic consequences for the vast majority of its South Africans (the poor and disadvantaged, as well as the up-and-coming middle class which provides the economic heartbeat of our nation) reveals the extent of the disconnect between power (the government) and accountability to the people, this being the ultimate reality.
I do believe that in our beloved nation today, the wheel is now discernibly turning. Our people, in the overall sense, are beginning to get the message. We must take responsibility back from this useless and dysfunctional lot at the very top. I sense a changing dynamic - many people’s spirits and hearts are being quickened to the sense that it is time for urgent change ! We look upwards for inspiration. Our country has a destiny which I believe is part of God’s greater plan ! I know many of my fellow South Africans forming the rich spectrum our broad rainbow believe as I do - they have told me so !.
Do I know how this dynamic for change will manifest itself ? I will freely admit that I don’t. But I can reaffirm with an open heart that I strongly believe it is on its way.
Time for looking back and being dragged down by negative energy has passed. The time for those who use the past to gain political advantage at the cost of absolutely all our people, and particularly at the cost of the poorest and most afflicted has passed
It is time to go forward, dear and well-beloved country !
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia,
Johannesburg
SOUTH AFRICA – SO MUCH IS HAPPENING UNDER THE POLITICAL COVERS !
Dear Sir,
Our recent history tells us that the ruling party, the ANC, are trying really hard to get control of the judicial process.
South African Justice Ministry have been going to great lengths, for some time and with considerable energy to take over certain administrative functions which are currently the responsibility of the (independent) judiciary - for example, the appointment of judges to upcoming court cases. Currently, there is a rotating roster which automatically allocates judges to cases. As things currently stand, therefore, no one decides who the judge will be in a particular case, as the judge is allocated to a case according to whose turn it is next as per the roster. For very valid reasons, that is how it should continue! Imagine the potential for mayhem if the ruling party, corporate businesses or wealthy individuals were able, by monetary, or other means, to manipulate the situation, i.e. to have a hand in choosing the Judge for cases where they have vested interests. So far, thank heavens, this particular initiative by the Justice Ministry has failed. They (the Justice Ministry) are also currently trying to take over the functions of regional Bar Societies. Bar Societies are free-standing, regional bodies, comprising private individuals who are advocates, attorneys, etc. Comments have come from the legal fraternity that, if the Justice Ministry is successful in this regard, lawyers will not be able to conduct their business as they normally do, “and may as well pack their bags and leave South Africa”.
Our recent history is replete with cases against senior members of the Government /Parastatals /civil service (all of which are ANC deployees’ happy hunting grounds), examples of disastrously poor levels of governance, failure to account for unaccounted for money in the scale billions (this is now happening across the board in our government ministries, as well as corruption at all levels. Figures produced by an independent investigation into the Department of Health of the Eastern Cape found that 122 of 200 employees were ‘doing business’ through companies set up in the names of their family members. R1.4billion, or 40% of the annual budget, had been paid to these bogus companies, very often for zero service delivery, i.e. the transaction was totally fictional apart from the money paid (bare-faced theft !).
The big corporates have also come under the legal spotlight for things such as operating as cartels of companies (cell phone service providers), price fixing (the food industry). The banks have been accused of extortionate, and sometimes illegal levying of charges on customer bank accounts). All of the foregoing occurs at huge cost to the South African populace, the ordinary folk.
An independent judiciary is recognised as one of the pillars of our society, without which there is no genuine democracy. In all the forgoing examples, the last line of defence, the only recourse the people have to bring fair play, justice and accountability into our national life is the route that an independent judiciary represents.
In the same vein, the reason why our government has tried several ploys to exert greater control over the legal system is that it cannot afford an independent judiciary. The effect of their notable failures in governance, the level of rampant corruption, and hugely extravagant spending within the civil service and our bloated, self-important politicians, is to drastically reduce /negate the administration’s ability to deliver basic services. The other effect that is coming through more clearly with each passing day, is the ever-increasing level of revenue that the government /quasi-government bodies are extracting (electricity, water, roads, etc., etc.), incrementally and ongoing, wherever they feel they can get away with it. The Eskom story is a classic (bad decision-making by Thabo Mbeki, followed by disastrous consequences for our power grid), but there are stories of disastrous consequences across the gamut of departments and ministries. Many businesses have already closed because of unaffordable power levies. Continental Tyre manufacturers in Port Elizabeth (they made 10.5 million tyres last year) have stated that the high costs of docking of ships (Transnet’s Ports and Harbours) and electricity (Eskom) mean that manufacturing costs in other African countries are now significantly less than in South Africa. Because of the Ministry of Fisheries have been tardy with producing the long-awaited survey of hake stocks in the oceans around our shores (which will provide the evidence to enforce essential restrictions on Japanese and Russian factory ships), our R3 billion fishing industry (which employs 9 000 people) is in danger of collapsing completely - entire communities in our coastal villages will suffer economic collapse. The industrial and commercial hub that Coega was intended to become remains virtually still-born due to Eskom’s failure to provide reliable and cost-effective electricity to the proposed aluminium smelter business that was to be its heart beat. At the last minute, the business people who were lined up and committed to the project pulled out as the debacle that Eskom has become began to unfold before their eyes. Many thousands of potential jobs and the hugely promising potential of Coega disappeared into thin air. Looking out of the airliner window as we flew over Nelson Mandela Bay, I saw Coega Harbour on that beautiful coastline - my heart sank into my boots - there it lay, empty and still, bearing stark witness to our venal, ineffective, self-serving, corrupt ANC-led government.
Our national parliament, provincial parliaments and metro/local councils are failing the South African people in terms of service delivery, governance and using the money for the benefit of our country and our people. The abysmal track record and of nineteen years and rampant corruption in government is now there for all to see. The ruling party is riding roughshod over the political opposition in parliament – they have loaded parliamentary accountability committees with key appointees to ensure such committees are no real threat to them. International democratic parliamentary practice is that members of parliamentary opposition parties chair accountability committees. Our government has chosen to ignore this totally. Our parliamentary system is failing us in front of our very eyes. It has become a plaything in the hands of the ruling party who have laughed off historic procedure and protocol to sidestep accountability.
An unavoidable truism of which I become more aware, day by day, is that our government’s failure to deliver is increasingly at the cost of our South African people. In many cases, our Constitution’s stipulations regarding basic rights that South Africans have are being abrogated by the ANC government. Everyone is asking “what can be done about it ?”. Mamphela Ramphele is saying to us all “get involved as individuals - form yourselves into groups of individuals of (‘say 10 people’), discuss the problems we are facing, come up with ideas “, etc. This is all well and good, but what can people actually do to change the way our country is being run into the ground on all fronts ?
I do believe that our under-threat but still-independent justice system offers the most effective route to change and accountability. Affordability is the problem. Where an individual or group of people have a valid grievance, the main stumbling block is that, invariably, if not always, the costs of going the legal route are prohibitive and way beyond the means of the citizenry.
To this end, I would like all concerned fellow South Africans to consider the following: every concerned individual who sees the merit in, and who can afford it, should consider contributing financially (a small monthly debit order from enough people is sufficient) to fund an apolitical body, the goal of which would be to bring accountability into situations which we know are hugely deserving, or critical to the future stability and good governance of our country. The approach should be to give priority to those causes which would benefit those most needy in society, whose basic rights under the constitution are being abrogated in the most callous manner.
The apolitical body should be non-profit making. It would be totally transparent in terms of its objectives and finances. Recourse would be taken through the courts on cases carefully chosen according to aforementioned criteria, by the best legal brains obtainable /affordable, who would be contracted in to decide on ‘best strategy’ for the legal action to get the best result for the people of South Africa.
I feel certain that many fellow South Africans, comprising the full spectrum of our rainbow nation, feel as I do – deeply disappointed at what is happening in our national life, seriously worried about the future for our children and their children, but most of all with a deep desire to get back onto the high road and rekindle a vision of good outcomes for South Africa, a country which I believe in my spirit has a significant part to play as a positive role model in a dysfunctional world beset by serious problems.
This apolitical initiative, i.e. using the courts to bring back accountability and enforce the basic rights of the South African people (which the government are riding roughshod over), would be a most worthy cause - it is also one that we cannot fail to embark upon and, on an ongoing basis, pursue to successful conclusions. The consequences of failure are dire indeed. We did not ask for, nor do we deserve these consequences. It is enough, already !!
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
Our recent history tells us that the ruling party, the ANC, are trying really hard to get control of the judicial process.
South African Justice Ministry have been going to great lengths, for some time and with considerable energy to take over certain administrative functions which are currently the responsibility of the (independent) judiciary - for example, the appointment of judges to upcoming court cases. Currently, there is a rotating roster which automatically allocates judges to cases. As things currently stand, therefore, no one decides who the judge will be in a particular case, as the judge is allocated to a case according to whose turn it is next as per the roster. For very valid reasons, that is how it should continue! Imagine the potential for mayhem if the ruling party, corporate businesses or wealthy individuals were able, by monetary, or other means, to manipulate the situation, i.e. to have a hand in choosing the Judge for cases where they have vested interests. So far, thank heavens, this particular initiative by the Justice Ministry has failed. They (the Justice Ministry) are also currently trying to take over the functions of regional Bar Societies. Bar Societies are free-standing, regional bodies, comprising private individuals who are advocates, attorneys, etc. Comments have come from the legal fraternity that, if the Justice Ministry is successful in this regard, lawyers will not be able to conduct their business as they normally do, “and may as well pack their bags and leave South Africa”.
Our recent history is replete with cases against senior members of the Government /Parastatals /civil service (all of which are ANC deployees’ happy hunting grounds), examples of disastrously poor levels of governance, failure to account for unaccounted for money in the scale billions (this is now happening across the board in our government ministries, as well as corruption at all levels. Figures produced by an independent investigation into the Department of Health of the Eastern Cape found that 122 of 200 employees were ‘doing business’ through companies set up in the names of their family members. R1.4billion, or 40% of the annual budget, had been paid to these bogus companies, very often for zero service delivery, i.e. the transaction was totally fictional apart from the money paid (bare-faced theft !).
The big corporates have also come under the legal spotlight for things such as operating as cartels of companies (cell phone service providers), price fixing (the food industry). The banks have been accused of extortionate, and sometimes illegal levying of charges on customer bank accounts). All of the foregoing occurs at huge cost to the South African populace, the ordinary folk.
An independent judiciary is recognised as one of the pillars of our society, without which there is no genuine democracy. In all the forgoing examples, the last line of defence, the only recourse the people have to bring fair play, justice and accountability into our national life is the route that an independent judiciary represents.
In the same vein, the reason why our government has tried several ploys to exert greater control over the legal system is that it cannot afford an independent judiciary. The effect of their notable failures in governance, the level of rampant corruption, and hugely extravagant spending within the civil service and our bloated, self-important politicians, is to drastically reduce /negate the administration’s ability to deliver basic services. The other effect that is coming through more clearly with each passing day, is the ever-increasing level of revenue that the government /quasi-government bodies are extracting (electricity, water, roads, etc., etc.), incrementally and ongoing, wherever they feel they can get away with it. The Eskom story is a classic (bad decision-making by Thabo Mbeki, followed by disastrous consequences for our power grid), but there are stories of disastrous consequences across the gamut of departments and ministries. Many businesses have already closed because of unaffordable power levies. Continental Tyre manufacturers in Port Elizabeth (they made 10.5 million tyres last year) have stated that the high costs of docking of ships (Transnet’s Ports and Harbours) and electricity (Eskom) mean that manufacturing costs in other African countries are now significantly less than in South Africa. Because of the Ministry of Fisheries have been tardy with producing the long-awaited survey of hake stocks in the oceans around our shores (which will provide the evidence to enforce essential restrictions on Japanese and Russian factory ships), our R3 billion fishing industry (which employs 9 000 people) is in danger of collapsing completely - entire communities in our coastal villages will suffer economic collapse. The industrial and commercial hub that Coega was intended to become remains virtually still-born due to Eskom’s failure to provide reliable and cost-effective electricity to the proposed aluminium smelter business that was to be its heart beat. At the last minute, the business people who were lined up and committed to the project pulled out as the debacle that Eskom has become began to unfold before their eyes. Many thousands of potential jobs and the hugely promising potential of Coega disappeared into thin air. Looking out of the airliner window as we flew over Nelson Mandela Bay, I saw Coega Harbour on that beautiful coastline - my heart sank into my boots - there it lay, empty and still, bearing stark witness to our venal, ineffective, self-serving, corrupt ANC-led government.
Our national parliament, provincial parliaments and metro/local councils are failing the South African people in terms of service delivery, governance and using the money for the benefit of our country and our people. The abysmal track record and of nineteen years and rampant corruption in government is now there for all to see. The ruling party is riding roughshod over the political opposition in parliament – they have loaded parliamentary accountability committees with key appointees to ensure such committees are no real threat to them. International democratic parliamentary practice is that members of parliamentary opposition parties chair accountability committees. Our government has chosen to ignore this totally. Our parliamentary system is failing us in front of our very eyes. It has become a plaything in the hands of the ruling party who have laughed off historic procedure and protocol to sidestep accountability.
An unavoidable truism of which I become more aware, day by day, is that our government’s failure to deliver is increasingly at the cost of our South African people. In many cases, our Constitution’s stipulations regarding basic rights that South Africans have are being abrogated by the ANC government. Everyone is asking “what can be done about it ?”. Mamphela Ramphele is saying to us all “get involved as individuals - form yourselves into groups of individuals of (‘say 10 people’), discuss the problems we are facing, come up with ideas “, etc. This is all well and good, but what can people actually do to change the way our country is being run into the ground on all fronts ?
I do believe that our under-threat but still-independent justice system offers the most effective route to change and accountability. Affordability is the problem. Where an individual or group of people have a valid grievance, the main stumbling block is that, invariably, if not always, the costs of going the legal route are prohibitive and way beyond the means of the citizenry.
To this end, I would like all concerned fellow South Africans to consider the following: every concerned individual who sees the merit in, and who can afford it, should consider contributing financially (a small monthly debit order from enough people is sufficient) to fund an apolitical body, the goal of which would be to bring accountability into situations which we know are hugely deserving, or critical to the future stability and good governance of our country. The approach should be to give priority to those causes which would benefit those most needy in society, whose basic rights under the constitution are being abrogated in the most callous manner.
The apolitical body should be non-profit making. It would be totally transparent in terms of its objectives and finances. Recourse would be taken through the courts on cases carefully chosen according to aforementioned criteria, by the best legal brains obtainable /affordable, who would be contracted in to decide on ‘best strategy’ for the legal action to get the best result for the people of South Africa.
I feel certain that many fellow South Africans, comprising the full spectrum of our rainbow nation, feel as I do – deeply disappointed at what is happening in our national life, seriously worried about the future for our children and their children, but most of all with a deep desire to get back onto the high road and rekindle a vision of good outcomes for South Africa, a country which I believe in my spirit has a significant part to play as a positive role model in a dysfunctional world beset by serious problems.
This apolitical initiative, i.e. using the courts to bring back accountability and enforce the basic rights of the South African people (which the government are riding roughshod over), would be a most worthy cause - it is also one that we cannot fail to embark upon and, on an ongoing basis, pursue to successful conclusions. The consequences of failure are dire indeed. We did not ask for, nor do we deserve these consequences. It is enough, already !!
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
PARALLEL – SOUTH AFRICA & ZIMBABWE
Dear Sir,
For those with a passing knowledge of Zimbabwe’s recent history, the names Robert Mugabe, Hitler Hunzvi and Morgan Tsvangirai would readily come to mind.
Robert Mugabe , the president of the nation, ‘Hitler’ Hunzvi, the mouthpiece who stirred enormous anger among people who felt aggrieved at gaining nothing from the liberation war, and Morgan Tsvangirai, the trade unionist who opposed Mugabe’s regime because of its iniquitous practices and failure to deliver. Tsvangirai eventually went on to head up political opposition in the form of the UDM, and, until recently was in an uneasy political alliance with Mugabe.
What happened in Zimbabwe from 2000 onwards, when ‘Hitler’ Hunzvi (so named because his rhetoric) began his campaign, is that Robert Mugabe was duly compelled by Hunzvi to pay out hundreds of millions of dollars (when the Zim dollar was worth something) to aggrieved ‘war veterans’. To continue the system of patronage, by which Mugabe has always survived, he was forced to print money – his only resort in a failing economy. Shortly thereafter, Mugabe had no option but to legislate to dispossess commercial farmers of their land to enable him to continue with patronage by largesse. What happened to the Zimbabwean economy thereafter is a well written page.
Fast-forward to South Africa today. Replace the names Mugabe, Hunzvi and Tsvangirai with Zuma, Malema and Vavi. Every time Malema comes up with speech designed to arouse emotions of outrage in people, he is pushing Zuma into a tighter corner. His talk of ‘nationalising the mines’ (ostensibly the proceeds of which are to become the reward for those who have not benefited from the liberation war) has resulted in zero to negative investment in our mining industry, the single biggest employer of people. He is certainly stirring up anger and resentment in chunks on all sides.
The only voice in the Tri-partite Alliance standing up to the corruption in government /the ANC, the only voice highlighting the negative economic effects of e-tolling, as well as the abysmal state of service delivery is that of COSATU in the person of Zwelinzima Vavi (who has now been edged out of office). Indeed, ordinary citizen could be forgiven for thinking that Vavi was the only man with the fibre, integrity or courage to stand up to what appears to be a hugely dangerous situation for South Africa and all its peoples. Our country seems to have been hijacked by a class of individuals who are, without any compunction whatsoever, taking what they want, accountable and responsible to absolutely no one, and certainly not to the South African people.
Is there no end to this sorry story ? Does anyone out there have an answer ?
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
For those with a passing knowledge of Zimbabwe’s recent history, the names Robert Mugabe, Hitler Hunzvi and Morgan Tsvangirai would readily come to mind.
Robert Mugabe , the president of the nation, ‘Hitler’ Hunzvi, the mouthpiece who stirred enormous anger among people who felt aggrieved at gaining nothing from the liberation war, and Morgan Tsvangirai, the trade unionist who opposed Mugabe’s regime because of its iniquitous practices and failure to deliver. Tsvangirai eventually went on to head up political opposition in the form of the UDM, and, until recently was in an uneasy political alliance with Mugabe.
What happened in Zimbabwe from 2000 onwards, when ‘Hitler’ Hunzvi (so named because his rhetoric) began his campaign, is that Robert Mugabe was duly compelled by Hunzvi to pay out hundreds of millions of dollars (when the Zim dollar was worth something) to aggrieved ‘war veterans’. To continue the system of patronage, by which Mugabe has always survived, he was forced to print money – his only resort in a failing economy. Shortly thereafter, Mugabe had no option but to legislate to dispossess commercial farmers of their land to enable him to continue with patronage by largesse. What happened to the Zimbabwean economy thereafter is a well written page.
Fast-forward to South Africa today. Replace the names Mugabe, Hunzvi and Tsvangirai with Zuma, Malema and Vavi. Every time Malema comes up with speech designed to arouse emotions of outrage in people, he is pushing Zuma into a tighter corner. His talk of ‘nationalising the mines’ (ostensibly the proceeds of which are to become the reward for those who have not benefited from the liberation war) has resulted in zero to negative investment in our mining industry, the single biggest employer of people. He is certainly stirring up anger and resentment in chunks on all sides.
The only voice in the Tri-partite Alliance standing up to the corruption in government /the ANC, the only voice highlighting the negative economic effects of e-tolling, as well as the abysmal state of service delivery is that of COSATU in the person of Zwelinzima Vavi (who has now been edged out of office). Indeed, ordinary citizen could be forgiven for thinking that Vavi was the only man with the fibre, integrity or courage to stand up to what appears to be a hugely dangerous situation for South Africa and all its peoples. Our country seems to have been hijacked by a class of individuals who are, without any compunction whatsoever, taking what they want, accountable and responsible to absolutely no one, and certainly not to the South African people.
Is there no end to this sorry story ? Does anyone out there have an answer ?
Sandy Johnston
Rivonia
Johannesburg
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