Beware – hungry people are angry

WITH many already economically stressed, the fuel hike next month will make life even more difficult.

The predicted 95c/litre rise next month will have an impact on all levels and hit overburdened consumers, with the poorest suffering most.

While many other countries pay more for fuel per litre –

Iceland R26.86, China R26.52, Norway R24.54, Greece R23.95, the Netherlands R24.54 and Denmark R23.73 – South Africa’s population does not have the ability to sustain regular fuel price increases.

Our unemployment rate has reached untenable proportions; salary increases are not generally compatible with increases in goods and services; service delivery protests across the country are on the increase; the lack of progressive and sustainable foreign investments inhibits job creation and the government’s inability to act decisively in this aspect, coupled with corruption in the state sector, makes for a dangerous cauldron.

In addition, the crime rate and continuous strikes, which directly affect everybody, do nobody any favours and add to our woes.

While it is the people’s hardearned money that goes to paying inflated government salaries, sadly, those entrusted to lead us to the promised land fail dismally in their ability to ensure we remain economically viable and functional on all levels.

A hungry man is an angry man and, unless the government heeds the wake-up call – and fast

– I am afraid that, sooner rather than later, we will see violent and destructive uprisings on an unprecedented scale, to the detriment of all.

Promises by those in control become arbitrary when people are struggling to put bread on the table and I caution those who believe in their political invincibility that very soon the tide will turn – and turn it will – and when it happens no amount of palliative posturing will save them.

To government and all those that purport to serve South Africa, beware that the sword of Damocles hangs precariously every day. A South African uprising will spell disaster, so get moving – the faster, the better.

NARENDH GANESH Durban North