Challenging times

THE report by a panel of experts into the July unrest is ominous. As the authors point out, little has changed and, as a result, there remains the possibility that violence on that level could break out again.

What’s more, the inability of the security services to protect lives and property has left people feeling uncertain and vulnerable. Those who can afford to have left the province or set up a second home elsewhere. But it would seem, no country is without challenges.

Beijing is experiencing sub-zero temperatures while a few days ago Mauritius was battered by a super cyclone that caused winds of up to 120km/h. Trees were uprooted and power lines went down. For a few days residents of the island nation couldn’t communicate with loved ones because infrastructure was knocked out.

Meanwhile, in the UK, residents are bracing for a hike of more than 50% in electricity prices as of April.

In Canada, truckers are on strike because unvaccinated drivers don’t want to go into quarantine after returning from trips to America. It may not be as violent as the protests we saw in Mooi River but the effect is still the same – empty shelves at some retail outlets.