Readers’Views

Zuma and his followers refuse to swallow the bitter pill of reality

The depressing news that South Africa’s growth this year will be low has clouded the optimism over Cyril Ramaphosa’s presidency, which has moved us from ICU to high care as we remain bedevilled by political uncertainty.

This has been created by the ANC’s policy of confiscating land without compensation, unions demanding increases beyond inflation and the widening divisions within the ruling party.

Ramaphosa’s ambitious campaign to attract $100-billion in foreign investment could be a forlorn hope, because certainty and stability are surely absent in the near term.

What is obvious is that Jacob Zuma’s supporters care little for the country’s future. Despite evidence of massive corruption and mismanagement under his administration, they are unwilling to swallow the bitter pill of reality, which will help remedy our economic ills.

Instead, they seem directed by a spinning compass taking us to a standstill. Ramaphosa needs to take decisive action. He will have the backing of the country and most of his alliance partners. If he fails, the precipice beckons.

Ted O’Connor, Johannesburg

Home affairs experience not bad

It was with interest that I read of Ferial Haffajee’s experience at home affairs in Randburg, “Home affairs holds back the economy. Here’s how” (June 3), which seems to be, to a great extent, different to mine at the Wynberg branch recently.

While I agree that more photo booths would be a huge improvement (there were three, of which two were in use), as this was the greatest source of delay, the process was otherwise well co-ordinated via the number system. The screen on which announcements are made could have used larger script and kept the number on the screen for longer, and the voice could have been a little clearer, but, on balance, the system worked!

To crown it all, I have just been told that both my new passport and smart ID card are available for collection, only a week later, having been told it could take up to 23 working days.

The sentiments behind Haffajee’s article are correct, but I have to say that my experience was not a bad one at all, and the staff were all very friendly and courteous.

Kudos to the new-look, paperless home affairs.

But it would be a good idea if the home affairs website was cleaned up and made it clear that no forms or photographs are needed. I took both! Anthony Williams, by e-mail

I have great respect for Ferial Haffajee as a journalist and thoroughly enjoy her column every week.

It was with similar respect and enjoyment that I read the response to her column from home affairs spokesman Mayihlome Tshwete, “Despite the scepticism, home affairs is not sitting on its hands” (Readers’ Views, June 10).

Well written, sir. I sincerely hope that Haffajee takes up your invitation to visit home affairs.

Lesley Bredenkamp, Jeffreys Bay