A Heads-Up for SOLO

[Mr S]

Hi Pete,

I know you are a bleeding heart liberal (as I know you are happy to describe yourself) so please don't take any offence. But my prediction about the future path of South Africa may happen a lot quicker than even I anticipated.

Visit: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/7821942.stm

The most important bit in this quote is where I have placed an emphasis:

@unknownuser said:

ANC leader Jacob Zuma said the party had identified five priorities: Jobs creation, education, health, rural development (including land reform), and the fight against crime.

Land reform was the exact same language that Robert Mugabe used.
I'm sure you must know what this type of euphemism really means?

All this nonsense about a "rainbow" nation is a pipe dream
I would suggest that you look in to getting your loved ones out sooner rather than later.

Regards
Mr S

[solo]

I spoke with my folks this morning, they are hoping that the newly formed 'Cope' party may bleed the ANC of it's usual landslide victory and get more opposition seats.
I cannot predict the outcome right now as the country will remain stable at least until the 2010 world cup soccer, the ANC needs the money, but after that and heaven forbit a passing by Nelson Mandela could render all bets off.

I am quite removed from the politics of SA, I also do no longer follow it online unless something major happens, I know we have many South Africans part of this community, I would be interested in their opinions too.

[PeterCharles]

As with Zimbabwe I expect land reform will mean all the nice well built white farmers houses going to tinpot politicians and the land reverting to scrub and subsistence farming.
There then follows begging bowls for food aid. The question is how long?

I may be a pessimist, but I don't see any hope for Africa.

[Mr S]

Hi Peter,

That is exactly what will happen.

But this time, things will be a lot worse.
Previously, when things started to fall apart in new black ruled African nations large sections of the population fled to the nearest "horrible" white ruled nation.

This time there is nowhere left to run to.
I fear that Rwandas bloodbath will look like a an English tea-party by comparison.

Regards
Mr S

[toxicvoxel]

An underlying reason why things have been relatively stable in South Africa since the fall of Apartheid is the fact that it has been in the interest of the new political elite to sustain the economy in order to skim off massive financial benefits under cover of the broader agenda of black economic empowerment. There are ex politicians in South Africa now that are far richer than any of the old regime ever became under a white-centric government. Restitution in South Africa was and is necessary to restore historic imbalances but sadly greed and personal ambition is driving an agenda that is replacing one imbalance with another.

The ANC has maintained a very disciplined coalition with it's political and trade union partners and while not good for the development of an alternative political voice amongst the previously disadvantaged community, it has provided stability during the transition in our politics. Sadly the rise of splinter politics, however noble in it's democratic agenda, may in fact lead to polarity and the downfall of social stability in South Africa.

In our generation the outcome in Africa as elsewhere in the world, relies on good men in every community, at every social level and business sphere, in every family, school and institution, to step forward and do the right thing. It is the global moral bankruptcy that provides the foundation for greed and personal ambition to prevail at the expense of the majority of ordinary people.

[Gaieus]

Well put, Toxic,

I I changed some words (mainly like "Africa" and such) it would be valid for many post Eastern Block countries as well where the late 80's and early 90's seemed to bring in some fresh air but instead of liberty, many just fell in poverty while suddenly billionaires arose from the nowhere.