Our democratic government lacks ability
Our government had more than a decade and two years of Covid lockdown and borrowed about R500 billion to solve the problems at ESKOM. Yet we have stage 6 load shedding. Logic suggests that 10 extra years and another R500 billion is not going to help as time and money is not the problem.
Thinking persons must accept that our democratically elected government does not have the ability to solve our energy, housing and so many other problems. Though democracy is the best form of authority at this point, it cannot compete against the power of stupidity, wastage and corruption.
Without electricity our nation and future is doomed as democracy and a constitution cannot wash, house or feed hungry people. As a nation we must decide, do we allow those in authority to destroy the nation and our collective future or do remove this stupidity at all costs? This is, in reality our moment of truth and our challenge. Voting based on historical sentiment will not add value or help as returning the same people back to governance has proven to be useless over the past 27years.
Example, visiting Sea Point this Sunday for lunch was shocking as most food outlets were closed from 12 noon until 5pm. This is the busiest time during summer and this flow sustains business during winter when few visited. Malls in Sea Point reflected reality as many shops had closed permanently.
What happens to those who worked in the shops, how do they feed/clothe/house their families?
Also, infrastructure like sewerage stations and manufacturing requires electricity and not everything can be linked to generators. When I asked staff at Nando’s in Sea Point why they were closed, they said they did not have physical space for a generator as the yard was too small.
Even marine animals like seals are going crazy as sewerage flows into many parts of our coastline.
Also, we now have gas related fires and explosions. Recently a shop owner blew himself and staff to bits in Woodstock. A truck transporting gas blew up a railway, a bridge, part of a hospital and killed 40 people. The message is clear, many cannot work with gas, as it’s dangerous. Instead of waiting for other forms of energy, it is easier and cheaper to remove the futility and corruption in government and then solve ESKOM. Also, criminals love black-outs that is why the relentless increase in crime.
The truth is that our leaders simply do not care
Example, our president and ex-president are interdicting each other in court and we sit in the dark.
Our government cannot solve the problems at ESKOM as they are the problem at ESKOM.
Cllr Yagyah Adams
Cape Muslim Congress