Parastatals failing the country

IT IS a fact that some government parastatals – such as SAA and Eskom – are failing the ordinary citizens of this beautiful country, and continue to rob the taxpayers through unnecessary monetary injections.

To say Denel, as a government parastatal, is doing very well is ludicrous. The opposition cannot be told to have a narrow /blinkered overview when doing their monitoring and evaluation. They must have a broader perspective into all government matters.

Many South Africans, including those in the ruling party, know that Eskom is in tatters. However, because of political allegiance, they pretend everything is running smoothly.

There is also the case of the South African Post Office, in the hands of the government, which is in a shambles.

The hoi polloi of this country, students, job seekers, business and the rest are today in shame and regret because the letters and other important information never reach their intended destination.

I empathise with them as I am not sure if my letters sent in November 1994 – through the post office – reached the addressee.

Letters contribute to the protection and conservation of literacy which is the ability to write and read. In the past, and even today, letters are used as a communication tool and an assessment measure in schools. Why are we even bothering to teach our children how to write a letter if our post office is dysfunctional?

If it wasn’t for the post office, Nelson Mandela would not have achieved his LLB degree or received letters from Winnie or vice versa. Letters, law books, assessments and tutorials would never have reached the intended destination.

Apartheid was a crime against humanity. However, when present-day competency comes off second best to the apartheid years, then we have a problem.

Given the current situation, a message in a bottle would be better. At least our currents are flowing in the right direction. SANDILE BONTSA Nyanga