By Alec Hogg
One of the best parts of my day is engaging with the Biznews community. Well, mostly. Yesterday, a countryman wrote that after eight years in Vancouver, at the end of the year his family is coming home to Cape Town. But he says he’s worried after hearing on the BBC that in 2014 murders in SA were up 5% to 18 000, adding “I have to say this latest news does not thrill me….”
How does one respond? On the upside, today’s anti-corruption marches will send a strong message to the political leadership. And there is the belated admission by President Jacob Zuma that having a HR lady running Police is a poor call in this crime ravaged country. So can we tell him to relax and come home, that the fight against crime will be won?
I’d like to. But would only be able to do so when those calling the tune in the ANC overcome their disease of denial. When they stop trying to brazen out the obvious.
We saw it again yesterday in official responses to a bombshell $18m US SEC settlement by Hitachi over paying the ANC to land the Medupi contract. Luthuli House called the SEC’s statement about the $6m bribe “a big lie”. An identical approach to the one forwarded when the $10m bribe to FIFA surfaced. As more evidence is led, those statements are sure to return to bite. Hard.
From Biznews community member James Groenewald
I’ve got used to the corruption revelations. There is a lot more yet to come. What is of concern is the general breaking down of respect for authority, which is an unintended consequence of both the corruption and the revelation. Vigilantism is but one of the symptoms. My other concern is that the university protests are in fact the vanguard of a class war, where “white capital” is the class to be waged war against. If you think about it, the whole BEE initiative has morphed into a class war with racial undertones. The “lack of transformation” statement really means “the old ruling class is still in place.” Your letter writer will return to join the this ruling class that is being targeted for change. Cape Town is the last political stronghold of the old ruling class, but how does it need to be led to remain relevant to the rest of the country?
From Biznews community member Ivan Mills
I have always been a proud South African even when living in Vancouver for 25 years.
In SA we have a relaxed and quite high standard of living which the west does not offer.
However the West offers better safety and transport but your family is not always with you to share it.
My three factors were: Family, weather and opportunity.
But he must make up his mind independently to see what he values most.
From Biznews community member Maurice Skikne
Anyone who comes back to what is an enormous mess is out of his tree. The current Government are absolutely corrupt, inept, totally irresponsible. They do not know what they are doing, and it goes for all the ANC!
I am now 81, and have lived long enough to see 2 regimes who have absolutely destroyed South Africa. I have a Green Card for the USA, but at my age if I were to sell up and go there and I have quite a good asset base I would be unable to purchase even a small apartment, and be able to live on investment with the rest. The only job I could muster with an M.Sc. in Education, would be to become a street sweeper or a doorman at an office block!
I with great respect to all people who try to encourage people to return here, say you are doing them an unfair disservice! South Africa long term is doomed to deteriorate into a fifth rate satellite of either Cuba or the old USSR!!!
