Planning beyond the plan:

How an inept government follies one policy plan after another

‘We all assist the institutions we have creatively redesigned to meet our varied needs; we reach out across communities to strengthen our resolve to live with honesty, to be set against corruption and de-humanising actions’.

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These words are inscribed in the policy document that expressly outlines the National development plan (NDP) that is supposed to finally extricate us from this mind numbing poverty in which we as a country find ourselves. What it doesn’t go on to say dear reader is that currently underway are concerted efforts to rob this nation’s citizens blind and render them subservient secondary citizens who have to resort to become suit-clad beggars whose only way out is to serve nefarious ends that further directives issued out at Luthuli house.

The honourable deputy President-The term ‘Honourable’ is just for emphasis purposes and by no means reflect the recent conduct of Mr Ramaphosa, speaks of a nations of pessimists and complainers. Well, forgive me Mr Ramaphosa but did it ever cross your mind that we too have reached the point of ad-nauseam when it comes to pointing out the seemingly intentional petty fogging and downright dishonourable conduct if the government. I, like many South Africans, would actually love to believe and get behind the goal to eradicate the rife indigence and equality we face by 2030. The problem, however, is that when one inspects and the government’s track record and its current counter-productive behaviour I can’t help but view the implementation of the NDP with disdain at best.

Indeed one does not even need to dig deep in order to see how ill-timed and inept implementation of very progressive and good policy plans rendered them ineffective and a whole sale waste of time resources, and manpower.

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The ‘strong export’ performance, private sector employment creation, small business promotion, etc that was sought through the Growth, Employment and Redistribution Macroeconomic strategy (GEAR) has not only not been achieved, but there has instead been regress. This is not because of it’s the strategic inefficiencies but because of lacklustre implementation and sometimes deliberate corruption of the provisions of the plan coupled with no tangible recourse and accountability.

I Think I speak for most South Africans (I would’ve said ‘every’ but I can’t be sure of the sentiments those South Africans in cabinet) when I say the potential this country has long been said to be abundant with needs to manifest itself to palpable progress that can only be measured through an increase in the quality of life of every South African and not just those who happen to have an ANC membership card and are on first name basis with this or that influential leader or office bearer.

The ‘direct and immediate measures to attack poverty’ that are spoken of in the NDP; which are to be demonstrated through the ‘introduction of active labour market policies and incentives to grow employment, particularly for young people and in sectors employing relatively low-skilled people’ by the way were held with just esteem and supposed intent by the drafters of the Reconstruction and development plan (RDP).

The very same ‘incentives to grow employment for the youth’ were shut down violently, I might add, by the very same COSATU that is in alliance with the ruling party which is in government. No viable alternatives were put forward but mere repetitive, uninformed and self-interested arguments spewed from 110 Jorrison street.

 I dare say that the tired observation that youth unemployment is a ticking time bomb has been with us since the so-called born-frees where running around bare-chested in the bliss of their pre-pubescence. I’ve yet to hear of our ‘leader’ coming up with concrete and urgent solutions.

When the Accelerated and Shared Growth Initiative for South Africa (ASGISA) promulgated ‘a vision of a development path that is vigorous and an inclusive economy where products and services are diverse. More value is added to our products and services, costs of production and distribution are reduced, labour is readily absorbed into sustainable employment, and new business proliferating and expanding’, few of us would have imagine that 11 years on the actual opposite would instead be achieved.

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Through all of this confusion, misdirection and unwillingness of bureaucrats, the hapless youth of today will be the ones that will be left behind to salvage, if possible, this mess that is being purposefully created by leadership that is out of depths and even worse, one that refuses to realise that the fate of this country is for us all to bear.

The messianic comrades in the ANC bask in the spoils of the new South Africa while the masses scrounge around for any semblance of dignity and a proper livelihood. They even have the audacity to utter idiocy about them ruling until the proverbial second coming.

Someone please give a tender to someone whose going to pay someone else to tell the ANC that these are the exact sentiments held by Louis XVI,  Tsar Nicholas II, Former Tunisian President Ben Ali and countless other rulers and leaders, right before their egos and in many instances, lives, ended in smoldering heaps.

So in summation dear reader, I refute the deputy president’s claims and in contrast point him to the slew of tangible disappointments that South Africans have been subjected to. All at the hands of a supercilious government that refuses to take us and itself seriously.

The ‘real’ third force

The ‘real’ third force

The death and destruction caused by the amorphous mass commonly referred to as the ‘people on the ground’ has elicited a major response from ordinary citizens, civic organisations, the government itself and the international community. Outrage abounds at this recent treatment of foreign nationals in this country.

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They are three factions in this scenario. On the first category are those who believe that these violent actions are justified and indeed necessary to get rid of foreign nationals. The second category contains those who see this as a terrible crime against humanity and preach tolerance and acceptance. There is a third juncture to this conversation, however.

Those in the third faction are quick to point at the ills of ineffective border control and the ineptitude of authorities in controlling the presence of foreigners; especially those from the African continent and parts of Asia. They argue that it’s not about the mere presence of foreign nationals but the sheer number of foreign nationals; especially those deemed to be undocumented.

The authorities of the day speak of a ‘third force’ that seems to be coordinating this whole thing.

For the past three weeks I have listened to various radio stations, read numerous publications and the one thing I have picked up is that all sides are unequivocal in their argument for or against the presence of foreign nationals.

 I have listened carefully to many arguments and debates pertaining to the recent spate of xenophobic attacks, and have realised that the government is right. There is a ‘third force’ but this so called force isn't who the government alleges but is the government itself.

Just the other day a caller had called in on a certain talk radio station. The caller began her argument with ‘I don’t condone the killing of people but…’ this immediately put her in the second category. After she had pointed at the underlying factors that have caused this scourge of violence, she and the radio presenter finally agreed that the ‘masses’ had valid grievances and that however that did not necessitate resorting to the barbarism we have witnessed.

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They had further agreed on the fact that there needed to be decisive enforcement of the immigration laws we already have. Upon further going back and forth the radio show host finally managed to get out of the caller as to who was to blame; ‘the government!’ she said out loud. ‘Okay now that we know that the government is to blame, what should be done?’ Asked the show host.

The caller came up with all sorts of initiatives and suggestions, but the show host kept insisting. ‘You and I have pin pointed that the government is to blame. Right, then what do we do about the government?’ persisted the presenter, to no avail.

You see the truth dear reader, is that the caller knew exactly what the radio presenter was driving towards and thus, the solution. It didn't matter because she kept avoiding it.

Now let me ask you dear reader. Now that we have realised that the government is to blame for there being this ever-widening inequality gap and that this rampant and blatant corruption actually eats at the funds needed to deliver services, what should be done dear reader? Should we wait another twenty years and hope that the people in government finally realise the error of their ways and mend them?

If the latter is our approach then what is the point of universal enfranchisement? What’s even the point of this democracy we fought so hard for and keep praising if we want to live in a de facto one party state that is ran by a party whose members keep pointing at the evil that is capitalism from the balconies of mansions obtained through the very same economic system?

Dear reader, the national party was voted out because of being outright evil. Now why can’t an inept regime that is clearly concerned with enriching its members instead of pealing back the corrosive effects of apartheid be shown the door as well?

Party politicking that will spoil our (rainbow) party

The shenanigans in parliament have many of us thinking the end is nigh. That couldn't be further from the truth. You see dear reader, the thing is that our democracy is still young and that means we are just figuring out that we can hold a so called ‘liberation movement’ and not feel bogged down by loyalist sentiments that ask nothing and say nothing.

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The notion that questioning or having a dissenting voice from a party you support; are a member of; vote for or even serving in, that you are somehow being disloyal is flawed to say the least. Let me move from innuendos and call nonsense what it is (and no, in a bid to be politically correct it’s not group-think caused by loyalty) it’s just nonsense!

In a country in which millions live under the poverty line and the inequality gap grows wider every passing minute, parliamentarians falling over themselves to please their party seniors in a bid to secure favour, patronage or positions should be a thing of the past. Loyalty to South Africa first should be the foremost preoccupation of everyone seeking a career in politics.

Indeed the political mutes keeping quite while President Zuma is tearing this great nation into shreds are going to be held liable for it sooner or later. I have nothing but contempt for people who turn a blind away when injustices or blatant disregard for ethics and morality all together are being perpetrated, only to come out years later when they no longer stand to lose anything and lambaste those acts.

 Former intelligence minister Ronnie Kasrils and equally erstwhile Trevor Manuel come to mind when I think of this. When the former was a high-flying cabinet minister he had nothing to say about the corruption, cronyism and mismanagement done by the ruling party, but the moment he was out of the firing line he was telling South Africans to spoil their votes than vote for the ANC! The latter similarly went on a rant about the dysfunctionality taking place in government, and yes by that time he was on his way to a cushy job in the private sector.

Before I leave let me categorically say this. The above-mentioned doesn't only pertain to the ANC but every one of us. The gist of our calling as activists and public reps alike is to this great nation of South Africa and not a political party, and that means that if ever your party deviates from its mandate of serving this country you cannot just toe the party line and sell your soul in return for a comfy existence for you and your kin.

‘The New Year syndrome’

‘The New Year syndrome’

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Ever seen how happy and hopeful people are when we get into a New Year? Forget the jubilation about actually making it in to the year. I’m talking about their expectations of what the New Year holds for them.

 Everyone from the jobless, Obese, smokers, heavy drinkers, school leavers, etc. All seem to think that the upcoming year will bring with it good fortune and an abundance of opportunities just ready to be seized and exploited.

 Now there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of optimism and a prayer for some good luck. The problems comes in, however when the strategy includes just the two aforementioned factors only. The only way to ensure that an upcoming year is a good or indeed a great one is to use the year before to prepare-there are no surprises when it comes to progressing in life.

Apologies for coming across as a preachy know it all, but the truth is that I am quite familiar with this tendency. Out of all the years I spent yearning without a plan and hoping without direction, things only turned around when I finally sweated and sacrificed to make things happen. It was only because of this work and preparation that on the 31st of December 2010 I could celebrate and hope for big things from the year we were about to usher in.

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Lastly, dear reader. If for some reason you haven’t realised that in this country things don’t come particularly in a platter (except of course if your last name is Oppenheimer or Rupert and your great grandfather’s first name happened to be Harry or Johann, well as the Americans would brashly put it, YOU’RE SH*T OUT OF LUCK!). In this great land in the South you and I are responsible for our own upliftment and will particularly be held responsible by our descendants if they find themselves in the same situation in which you and I currently find ourselves.

That seems gravely unfair, right? But unlike our Great-grandfathers you and I will not have the luxury of evoking APARTHEID when we’re asked about why our family names are still associated with peasantry or a shortage in the success department.

‘I love you son. What? No! Take that back dad!'

‘I love you son. What? No! Take that back dad!'

All this American television I grew up watching has seriously led to a lot confusion with regards to social norms and what is comfortable and what is not. Allow me to expatiate. For the longest time I have never heard the words ‘I love you come from my dad’ I also never had a problem when he would miss most of the events I participated in, because I knew that whatever he was doing was more important, especially because it would result in my stomach filled with all sorts of treats upon his return.

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With this outlook in life I find myself scoffing at the drama that ensues and the sorrow or self-destruction that befalls teens on a plethora of these American television programmes. 

 I tell you, as a parent if you dare miss a day without telling your energetic tyke that you love them and then proceed to kiss them on the forehead as they leave for school in the morning. You will find yourself sitting on a psychiatrists couch 5 years later, trying to explain that you are not the devil incarnate all because you miss little Kyle’s  swimming practice sessions 8 years ago when he was in grade two.

Was it only me who thought it was good when my parent was away at work because that would mean a full stomach and new clothes on Christmas on my part? I seriously don’t get the sentiment that says your parents should come home after a long day and play hide and seek with you in a bid to avoid you turning to drugs or to a ‘star’ in adult entertainment all because ‘you were neglected as a child’.

You're grounded: Pic sourced <www.semiproper.com>

I’m tempted to add race into this, not because I want to partake in South Africa’s favourite pastime (bickering about this and that being black or white), but because I have only ever seen this on the limited contact with Caucasian kids I had back in junior primary. I tell you, growing up none of my friends or playmates had ever came to the playground or the streets, with their eyes red because they only saw their dad on the weekends-twice a month at that, no, instead having your father roaming around the living room and messing with your precious time for watching Sharky and George or Biker mice from Mars, would be the very thing that would send worry signals in your cartoon drunk brain.

I honestly think I would have fallen into a mini depression if one day my father had pulled me towards him and gave me a hearty hug preceded by the words ‘I love you son’. Good god! A smile and a nod would've been enough, dad! 

On the event I got a hiding which was pretty much at least once a week. I wouldn't have even held my breath for an apology from my Mom-admitting to me that she acted out of haste and that next time she will try sitting down and talking about the matter. What!?

At least I'm playing: Pic sourced <www.kidcriticusa.com>

Since things apparently, never disappear from the internet, this is for you future son and daughter. You’re kidding yourself in thinking that when you are naughty you will be given time-outs, grounding and your toys taken away from you. Keep dreaming my sweet nunu.You can have your toys, only you will have to play that XBOX standing up because sitting down will be mission and a half after I have torn that ass up!

'The lost generation'

'The lost generation'

I hear the rhetoric almost every day ‘today’s youth is lazy, today’s youth is entitled’. To an extent that may be true, but set against the logic of the proponents of this message, it couldn't be further from the truth.

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Here’s what I mean by this. The main argument to the noise about ‘this generation’ being filled to the brim with lazy and unimaginative youth is because generations such as that of 1976 are used as a comparative device. 
What these people forget is that the militancy, awareness and resolve of that youth was not up to the individual, that simply means that a person did not have to be an avid reader or a follower of current affairs or partake in community engagements to know about things, no. The issues were tangible and right there in their faces.

No matter how lazy or ignorant someone was, there was absolutely no way that they wouldn't know about the state of emergency in the late eighties, because they were security forces in armoured vehicles patrolling the streets on a daily basis to constantly remind them of that fact.

Today’s youth is a direct reflection of the broader society which has ceased to care about the well-being and progress of the collective and instead focuses on the self. 

The reason why people don’t join others and campaign against injustices today, is simply because they are better off. People will not go to the streets or join a petition and protest against youth unemployment or the ludicrous Electronic tolling system because unlike the majority, they have a job or they can afford to pay.

What happened to 'a person is a person because of others' ?

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The sooner we realise that regardless of the fact you or I are in a better state in comparison to the next person, is the sooner we’ll know that what affects ‘us here’ and what affects ‘them there’ affects everyone throughout the length and breadth of this country.

 The same youth which is not at school or at work is the same youth which will hold you hold you up at gun point, so the notion that there is a ‘them’ and an ‘us’ is baseless and at worse short-sighted and un-South African.

When the youth through the decades saw that the majority of blacks sat uneducated, oppressed at the work place and ostracised in public, they didn't fold their arms and say ‘ at least my family or community is better off ’ no! They instead made it that their fight, hence our history speaks of such events as the bus boycotts in Alex, the defiance of the public gathering ban in Langa (http://www.sahistory.org.za/topic/sharpeville-massacre-21-march-1960) years later and the well-known 1976 uprisings in Soweto.

Furthermore, this resolve from the youth of yesteryear could also be seen in the older generation of that time. When members of the united party broke away from it, after the rejection of the proposal to return land to the black majority, to form the progressive party ( http://www.da.org.za/why-the-da/history/). They actually didn't have to. They were white and privileged like the rest of their kin, but they chose to break ranks in Solidarity with the oppressed black majority.

In summation. The above-mentioned, is the exact spirit today’s youth should espouse. Failure to do this will render us worthy to be labelled with a much worse title than that of ‘the lost generation’.

the chain of life

The chain of life

You don’t need me to tell you that human beings are a pretty weird bunch. Seriously though, a friend of mine and I were talking and then this question came up. Why do people chase after things that have a disregard for them and in turn disregard things that chase after them?

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You’re a bit lost, so let me elaborate. In your love life for instance, you don’t want the guy or girl who clearly loves you and would do everything they could for you, instead you are chasing after someone else. Oh, don’t feel bad, you’ll be glad to know that that same person too is chasing after someone else who is doing to them what they are doing to you. It’s ridiculous I tell you.

Take this aforementioned friend of mine for an example. A girl he hardly likes is chasing after him. He is just using that girl for you know what. Don’t feel sorry for the girl just yet, because she is doing to another older guy the same thing my friend is doing to her. What she doesn’t know is that the older guy has even dreamt a future for both them, shame bakithi. And you know that this friend of mine is just lusting or loving after another girl who doesn’t know that he even exists.

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Here is a less funny example. Most of the people around me are either in school or have just graduated, either way they are looking for jobs or want ones better than those they already have. Even in this case, the same rules apply.

 I know a guy who quit a job because he says it bored him to death. On the same breath I know a guy who would do quite a lot just to get the very same job the first guy quit.

I know what you’re thinking and you can stop wishing. Yes, the first guy who quit his ‘boring job’ is looking for a job that he loves, a job he knows he can do great things in. Guess who has that very job? That’s right! Someone who couldn't care less about it. In fact, for that person this is just a job, but for this guy this could be his life! Everything is just a never-ending vicious circle.

So what’s your point!? [That’s you shouting at me through your screen]. Here it is. Whenever you do things don’t take them lightly. Always bear in mind that someone else would break an arm and a leg in trying to ensure that they are properly or efficiently taken care of.