NO POWER TO THE PEOPLE

Load shedding...

and we all just sigh, shake our heads and tut tut out of the darkness. What gets me is that those the most guilty for allowing the slide had a chance to get it right. By 1994 it was easy to look the whole way down Africa to see what could transpire with political abuse and corruption. A number of book releases at the time screamed out dystopian omens of what could happen 'when Mandela goes.' Reports and statements from learned men began to warn of ominous goings on behind closed doors, along with the implications. But not only did those in control not take heed, they purged conscientious objectors, treated those that placed their trust in them with utter contempt, and enriched themselves beyond even their own wildest dreams in the process. SAA and the other SOEs, bad enough, but Eskom, the national power supplier? With SAA you can always catch another airline. With SABC, you can always watch another channel. But Eskom? They are the only provider. They have the monopoly and the entire nation has no option but to use them. There were no ways those at the helm should ever have got this wrong - or let the situation decay to the present state. And now all South Africans have no option but to bear the brunt while watching those that caused the mess strut off unscathed - and with their millions. And after elections, again we will have no option when they start pushing tariffs through the roof. They have indirectly sabotaged the population and are busy bringing enterprise to its knees and yet still no senior decision maker has been held accountable or effectively charged. But that said, where to from here? It is very clear that state do not have the resources, the passion, motivation or skills to meet the needs. When will the right decision be mad opening the entire game up to private enterprise? Not one and set ourselves up for yet another crony monopoly. For everyone's sake, forget another commission - its time for action, not more words - appoint people who have the credentials, experience and capability, not just the right friends. And not under control of government. Speaking of which we understand EFF wants to nationalise banks, land and the mines as well if they come in to power. They've already turned parliament into a circus side-show, could you imagine if they had free reign to a country? Please let the masses see this mess for what it is, and leading up to elections not let the wool be pulled over their eyes in the form of food parcels and branded T-shirts. I pray they think carefully, not about slogans, chants or prejudices but about what they want for their children and who would be the most likely to provide it for them. That however is a difficult one because quite honestly I do not think any of the parties have the honour, integrity or 'the right man' to lead us out of the mess. Before I believed possibly DA, but with their petty squabbling and court antics, I am not so sure. All we can hope is that in one of the parties, a true leader, a strong honest man with the interests of his people will one day emerge - and rather sooner than later.