By Alec Hogg
Good old South Africa. From the pinnacle of hope to the depth of despair in the space of a few hours. That’s the roller coaster in whose front seat we in the news business get to ride.
Yesterday’s interview with ISS founder Jakkie Cilliers, author of the excellent book Fate of the Nation, put context on the heated debate over land. He offers a compelling argument that the real challenge of EWC is to modernise chieftain-based land ownership in rural areas. The threat to large commercial agriculture seems a non issue. Hearing that lifts the spirit.
But then comes an impassioned cry for help from Hoedspruit’s Chamber of Commerce. A 31 year old former waitress amazingly elevated to Mayor has been trashing the place. Corruption is rampant. Yesterday, fed-up locals who call themselves “Civic Warriors of Maruleng” went on the march. SA’s fastest growing town is like bone-dry tinder waiting for the smallest spark.
Cool headed Cilliers is confident Cyril Ramaphosa provides South Africa’s best chance of engineering an economic and social recovery. I agree. But the ranks of those who believe Zuma has taken the nation beyond rescue, is growing, Such ideas can easily become self-fulfilling. SA could sure do with some good news right now.
