We are living in dangerous times
Criminals are engaged in a low scale war against ordinary South Africans and they are winning.
Our leading politicians in parliament are too busy insulting each other and do not have time to discuss our murder stats of 22 000 per year and the endless increasing violence and lawlessness.
Our unemployment and the gap between the rich and poor is the highest in the world.
This is a recipe for crime and violence that will eventually lead to a failed state.
Ironically, we can save ourselves by creating jobs and reducing the unemployment by lowering the cost of basic foodstuff and the minimum wage to encourage business to hire more people.
Logic suggests that government cannot create jobs as those in authority do not have the skills and qualifications. Job creation is the milieu of business. Government’s duty is to create a safe setting where business can thrive. If this does not ensue, society will fail as business is critical to progress.
Oddly, for a nation to succeed you do not need a working class since a working class can be imported and deported as required. Dubai and Singapore and other wealthy nations are examples.
What is critical is a home-grown business class as it is that class that creates wealth not politicians.
Why am I stating the obvious?
Every single week in our city, province and nation we hear of an attempted or actual hijacking or kidnapping or murder or robbery, extortion etc. within our business community. Crimes against business are not random but part of a strategy by organised professional criminals.
Yet, it seems that our law enforcement is completely unable to solve this massive attack on the only sector that can reduce unemployment and reduce the gap between the rich and poor. What does it mean for the future of a nation when small and medium business people are murdered regularly?
Globally, it is small and medium business that create and maintain a middle class. This is the majority of rate and taxpayers and the growth of the middle class is a good indicator of national prosperity.
Again, I repeat, politicians cannot create jobs as they do not have the skills required. They must establish the framework of safety and security and low taxes to encourage business to flourish.
If we allow the killing of farmers and business people like garage and shop owners and anyone who creates jobs and pays taxes, we are literally and figuratively killing our economic growth and future.
Again, I appeal to President Ramaphosa to forget about his own problems and focus on saving this nation from lawlessness and chaos where criminals govern with fear and violence.
Cllr Yagyah Adams
Cape Muslim Congress