Boardroom Talk: Gradually, then suddenly. W Cape formally working towards devolving Pretoria Power.

Science fiction has a strange way of becoming science fact. Given time, what at first appears radical often becomes accepted as inevitable and then logical. The longer it takes, the more those stuck in the status quo end up costing the rest of society.

Terminating Eskom's monopoly over production and distribution of SA's electricity has been an expensive exercise. Given Pretoria's crisis-driven 'please help' calls, it's hard to believe even two years ago the ANC government refused to allow businesses to generate their own power. Ask Sibanye's Neal Froneman, whose numerous requests hit a Mantashe wall.

It's also just over two years since I first interviewed Phil Craig of the Cape Independence Advocacy Group. The reaction to the story showed considerable popular support (over 58 000 views, dozens of favourable comments). But politicians were mostly against the idea,  privately suggesting Craig and his cohorts were nothing more than modern Don Quixotes.

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