SA has failed to build on the post-1994 successes
SOMETHING that intrigues me tremendously is when black people post endless clips of “coconuts” praising the repressive era pre-1990.
Many confuse nostalgia with history and some may need a reminder. The democratic gains post-1994 both economically and politically far outweigh the repression pre-1990, no matter “how good the times were”. Ask anyone who was sitting on Robben Island.
Post-1994, weak systems and governance allowed cheapskate opportunists to “hijack” the situation to their advantage. Cliches such as RET and the construction mafias are classic examples. History has shown such entities, while bad for the country, have a very short shelf life and illicit gains may give great temporary comfort, but different challenges arise. However, of greater consequence is the number of civil protests, especially in the eThekwini region.
From burning of billions of rand in fixed investments in the name of a convicted criminal sent to a prison in Estcourt, to the recent devastating floods, which with the Zuma riots produced a death toll in north of about 800 lives at least. The majority of lives lost are African. All in fewer than 12 months and mostly in KZN, specifically eThekwini. The net effect is eThekwini is becoming a high-risk area and many industries and investors will start “red lining” or by-passing the city.
Maputo is already gearing up for more citrus exports. Road wise, ask any truck driver Joburg to Port Maputo and Joburg to Port of Durban, how many gear changes do you have to make? As for the floods, many investors will start looking at flood-proof properties and here I stress the flooding of Prospecton was avoidable if proper maintenance and planning had been done on the Umlaas Canal which was a man-made diversion from the original Isipingo flats which was a confluence of the Isipingo and Umlaas rivers which flowed at River Mouth near the island hotel.
The “bursts” at Mega City and Mondi are classic examples of thinking all is well. These were literally the pressure points on the bend in the river. The damage at Umlaas Canal will probably need a higher “culvert” type of construction. I’m amazed at how officials waste so much of investors’ time with trivial EIAs when bigger tragedies await. The UPL disaster is an another poignant example. Where were the officials there? Harassing people for parking fines, I presume.
Post-1994 ushered a great number of opportunities and spaces to people hitherto disadvantaged and this includes all races and classes, like Naspers investing in China. The question is do we cherish and build on the freedom or make this “freedom” and dim the lights on a better tomorrow?