20 Years Of What?

[Linotype]

Today, South Africa celebrates (if that's the right word) 20 years of democracy (in other words, the end of apartheid). Are things better now ... I don't really think so. We have virtually no police force, terrible crime statistics that defy belief, an army (and navy) that's on its knees (12 Gripen fighters standing around with no one capable of servicing or flying them), three submarines – no make that two, some imbecile pulled the plug (literally) and that particular Daphne class vessel reputedly sits at the bottom of Simonstown harbour. We have elections in 10 days time, the ruling ANC party are sure to win once again ... and yet they have little to show the populace in 20 years what they are made of. I think we pay dearly for the sunshine, don't you?

[sandyRoe]

Were things better under apartheid, I can't remember?

[Linotype]

There were very few (if any) corrupt politicians, we had an army and a navy to be proud of pre-1994 ... present day reports suggest 40% of the army (who are busy defending SA-held government interests in CAR) are riddled with AIDS, unable to sustain battle stations; and a police force that have managed to 'lose' 8 600 of their weapons (pistols) this past two years; while the general public have been forced to hand over their weapons (for defence only, officer ...) because firearm licences to the general public are virtually unobtainable now ... I do say, though, that education is now available to all, and that's good ... but here's the rub: parents of most white children send their kids to private schools because the government education curriculum is so poor. Sorry to appear such a grouch on this purported wonderful South African day!?!@

[sandyRoe]

Are people still falling down long flights of stairs in John Vorster Square, Joburg?

[Brinjal]

I should think they are Sandy only it's their own that are doing the pushing.

[jno]

I suppose whether life is better or worse depends what colour you are

[Brinjal]

Well I can speak for Zimbabwe where 34 years down the line where on average 1400 businesses are closing each month in harare alone unemployment at 70 % workers having not been paid for months on end. South Africa is on the same slippery slope.

[ToraToraTora]

Well I'm assuming you live their mate, so I'll take your assesment. I've always thought it went wrong but on this site it's verboten to be negative about RSA. You have my sympathy, I don't think it's going to get any better any time soon. Jno's standard twee comment is pretty standard here, removing aparthied must be better for the blacks. I doubt anyone of any colour, beyond those with their snout in the trough, are feeling better off. A clear case of the cure being worse than the disease. I fear you are heading for Zimbabwee mark 2, get out if you can.

[Peter Pedant]

Yiss Linotype

and you are going to have to make a choice
stay with it - as it goes down the tube

or up sticks and start again.


In my family people have done both. - if you have relations that lived in Zim, you will know how it is done.


and for anyone reading - the cost to the UK treasury of resettling or supporting anglo-saxons from Zimbabwe in the UK has been zero.
Their families have done it all.
Oz and NZ are good choices.


From your point of view it is a difficult choice:
should I pull up sticks - cut my losses and come out with nothing, and start again at 45 ( or whatever age you are )


A few relations of mine started again in Angola, were ripped off, and had to start again, again. It is a rough world

[Brinjal]

Sadly we are too old to start again. Or I should say my husband is. If anything should happen to him I will be out of Zim in a flash. I do feel that for younger people if you can start again somewhere else. It's not easy but you are giving yourself and your children a chance . If you are unhappy with the government you have now can you imagine what it would be like with the likes of Julius Malema in control.

[Linotype]

Hi ABrs: Thanks for the interesting comments, as I say elections up in seven days time so we shall what happens at the polls ... certainly no change in the government leadership that's for sure. 2019 election forecasts point to a shift/rift, all the same thing really. I'm (the wife and I) both well into our 60s and have lived since here 1969, seen lots of changes – most of them bad – but still we choose to live here. Try to get over to the UK for a couple of weeks in December (our hottest month) ... last time over was the first time that we both could have upped sticks and relocated ... at close to 18 rands to the pound never going to happen, couldn't even afford a decent car let alone a bungalow! Interestingly back in 1969 a pound bought you just R1,80 ... again go figure. Believe it or not have just bought a small place in Muizenberg, near Cape Town, that's right, where Cecil Rhodes popped his clogs ... he gave up on the African nation all those years ago ... sorry, can ramble on, but onwards and upwards and all that jazz. Thanks for the interesting comments backwards and forwards ...

[Old_Geezer]

Ultimately is a nation has problems then they can only work to sort them out. It won't happen overnight but knowing there are things to be done, is a start.