South Africans must accept reality
We are in a sad condition in South Africa as many citizens are being deceived.
Example, contract an artisan and see if they arrive and complete the work at the agreed time and price. Before that, buy building material and see if delivery is on time.
Why are such mundane issues notable?
Keeping to an agreed price and time is basic and critical in a modern, progressive developing society that seeks to create opportunity for many. Without the basic conditions of trust, progress is difficult.
Example, China, India, Bangladesh, Indonesia etc. has reduced extreme poverty by creating unskilled jobs so millions of people have a chance to work.
What is different in South Africa is the thinking/mind-set/mentality/attitude/approach/outlook.
Let’s explain, millions were led to believe that when Apartheid ended, everything would rapidly improve and all problems would be solved. In reality, little has changed for the vast majority although both Apartheid (1960-1990) and Democracy (1994-2024) has existed 30yrs respectively.
Currently, there is a huge gap in service delivery as municipalities that worked during Apartheid are failing under democracy. Government built less and worst houses in 30yrs when compared to 30yrs under Apartheid. Everything is much more expensive and yet we have less electricity, water, jobs, trains, safety and security and more crime etc. in the new democracy. More democracy less service.
Whilst life has improved for a few, millions struggle to feed their families and whilst the problems are easy to solve, we lack the qualified leadership. We have thousands of politicians and government officials that are useless as they talk a lot, collect a salary but add no value.
Example, the outgoing Public Protector spend more time defending herself than defending the public. Tax money was wasted on court cases against her and as the Public Protector leaves office with a possible R10 million golden hand-shake, we must ask, who is responsible for that mess?
After 20 years in governance and winning 4 elections I have seen many politicians come and go. This has little to do with race/culture/faith as a lazy/stupid person regardless, has limited value.
In Kwazulu/Natal and across South Africa we have many Councillors who cannot read and write.
In Cape Town we have Councillors that sold clothes and others fixed toilets without any certification in that fields but they now want to argue about budgets and issues that require university education.
I have said it before and I will say it again, as long as voters fall for smooth talking con-artists posing as sincere community developers, we will recreate poverty whilst admiring unyielding stupidity.
Voters must consider track records of service delivery. We must make our democracy work and vote with our intellect and reject the rubbish spewed by so many con artists posing as sincere politicians.
Cllr Yagyah Adams
Cape Muslim Congress
Cape Muslim Congress