Despondent over state of beloved city
How do you know you are living in a Third World country?
When you want to attend a Christmas Concert of the local Feather Market Organ Society and the roads are blocked because there is a council meeting of the local municipality taking place, which results in roads being blocked and numerous police cars and personnel being deployed, because the councillors are unable to debate in a civilised and democratic manner.
There is a very real possibility of a water jug coming flying at you from the chamber, because the members have absolutely no idea how to behave and conduct themselves within a democratic society.
The truth of the matter is that unacceptable numbers of the police force were being employed to monitor the situation, standing round chatting and laughing, who could surely be put to better use, apprehending criminals and preventing crimes from taking place.
To add insult to injury, the state of the city centre is simply disgusting — the old Herald building is in a state of collapse and Military Road is strewn with garbage, while the once magnificent Post Office and Baakens Street police station, of such huge historical significance, have both been partially restored, but the work has never been successfully completed.
Though I rejoice at the dismissal of the utterly useless and unqualified mayor Mongameli Bobani, I have to admit that as a resident of this city for almost 70 years, I am utterly despondent at the present state of affairs and can see no end to the ineffectual governance, incompetence and looting of the municipal coffers in the near future.
Tu meliora spera (Our PE motto:
In hope of better times).