Tuning in for yesterday’s Mini Budget provided far more excitement than any of us had bargained for. After 45 minutes of chanting and general stirring by red-overalled EFF members inside the House, the nation watched in fascination as hundreds of university students took on riot police as they tried to storm the doors of Parliament itself.
Although it all looked rather wild and emotional, the student reaction was actually completely rational. Possessed of the bullet-proof idealism of youth, the modern Ikeys were simply doing what generations of their predecessors have done before. They gave a public face to the frustration many South Africans are feeling towards the Zuma Administration – an elite whose Blue Light brigades, Gucci bags and private jets have caused them to lose touch with on-the-ground reality.
Older generations love to criticise indiscipline of the young. This time, best they bite their collective tongue. On reflection, they are sure to be grateful that, at last, someone is publicly venting the national frustration at corruption, incompetence and mismanagement. Storming the gates of Parliament grabs the attention a lot more effectively than whining at dinner parties.
@Dick_Muller@alechogg I remember those days so well
ā crimolynnogy (@crimolynnogy) October 22, 2015
From Biznews community member David Mordant
You may be right Alec, but from ultra politically and socially correct Canada, it looks ugly, especially the red bedecked MPās seemingly behaving in a most unparliamentary manner. Why invest in RSA with this sort of message being relayed to the world? And heaven knows, RSA like everywhere else, needs foreign direct investment.
From Biznews community member Matthews Letlape
Yes indeed the chaos in Parliament yesterday displayed the nationās eagerness for change towards the Zuma administration but letās not forget that some of those youth were also responsible in voting the ANC into power.
For me, the riot reflected the much anticipated negativity towards the ANC-led government and it may expand to other sectors of our nation if not contained within reasonable time and space.
Students, black and white singing the national Anthem, marching towards Parliament, itās a very noticeable protest by the nation that enough is enough corruption is bigger than we thought.
One canāt stop imagining what will happen if Number 1 steps down, mayhem is the least eventuality which come to mind.
One minister once said: āSouth Africa is not a banana countryā. I wonder whether the same Minister can say the same subsequent to yesterdayās Parliament chaos.
The nation needs to pray for peace or else everything will be lost to the Civil War Pundits.
In conclusion, I know that the Prophet of Doom are over the moon over what happened yesterday.
The midterm budget gave some hope for the future and the announced stringent measures applicable to Supply Chain may help in some way to reduce the current deficit.
From Biznews community member Bronwyn Foulkes
Before reading your column this morning, I was one of them critising the students but after reading your thoughts, it makes sense. Although I still donāt fully agree with the way the students undermined the police, I do understand their frustration toward the ANC. Really hoping this is a turning point for our nation!
