In South Africa you now have the season of Great Expectations. The expectation has been created that president Zuma is going to be Father Christmas to the poor. Everyone is suffering with tremendous food, electricity, petrol... prices. So now everyone is striking for higher wages - the mines, army, post office... Of course many businesses have closed down and there is a general downturn in the economy. Whoops! The tax receipts will be down by about 60 to 80 billion Rands. The government has over committed itself on benefits for the unemployed, poor, pregnant... Huge infrastructure developments take place in country. Massive upgrading of roads, airports, new sports stadiums, underground railway for Joburg, new rapid transport systems for the cities...
Other side of the coin is that South Africa is going backwards as a manufacturing country. Now a food importer (first time in a hundred years). Education an absolute shambles. Millions of illegal immigrants streaming across borders. Borders a shambles. Half air force grounded, no pilots, no technical staff. Crime out of control. Crime syndicates thriving. Chinese everywhere. Nigerians everywhere. Government hospitals absolute shambles. Corruption widespread in government. Our neighbour Zimbabwe totally bankrupt and still no real improvement...
Ysterplaat air force base near Milnerton: Next to it has risen Century City, massive mall, offices, flats, (thousands of people)... You will not recognise the Cape Flats. About 2 million people have moved there from the Transkei. We are not counting the Somalis, Nigerians, Congolese, Angolans, Zimbabweans, Chinese...
You had a plot at Pringle Bay. That is also a sizeable small town with its own shopping centre...
Copyright Mark JS Esslemont.
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