Some would ask... What are you getting at? The question however remains; Did we forget the poorest of the poor?
I am not asking this question because its nice to ask, I am asking it because I see no improvement, 1) In the lives of our poor people 2) In the conditions 3) In the delivering of services!!!
Where did it all go wrong though? It went wrong immediately after those in power decided to ignore their plea. One would recall during this year's municipal elections when prominent leaders were on the campaign trail most of them were lambasted. There was even a time where the ruling party and the official opposition had a toilet fight, yes they tried to compete as to who was better or worse when it come to the issue of sanitation.
Today however is not to talk about toilets or the provision of services. Today I want to highlight the importance of a caring government. I'm not saying that our Government in South Africa is not caring, what I am saying is that their programs is not beneficial to the poor. What a contradictory statement some would say?
Let's do some quick mental maths. Exempt taxi's and some busses (in fear of a revolt) who doesn't contribute to the GDP (with the exception of refuelling) or paying taxes, from paying of tollfees. Building or procuring a highspeed train that doesn't serve it's purpose (which was to reduce traffic congestion and provide alternative means of public transport). Then force the already cashed strapped public to pay for tollfees in excess of more than R50 per single trip from one city to another.
I am convinced that this wasn't thought through as the very means of fuel or food transportation are charged almost R100 per single trip from one city to another. This has resulted in regular and uneven increases on food and fuel prices.
The poorest of the poor therefore suffers the most when it comes to the availability of essential household items. Paraffin which is use at almost every informal settlement is priced at more than the price for petrol or diesel. To buy a loaf of bread is almost also equivalent to the price of these fuels.
My question therefore remains...
SO many questions - SO little answers...
I am not asking this question because its nice to ask, I am asking it because I see no improvement, 1) In the lives of our poor people 2) In the conditions 3) In the delivering of services!!!
Where did it all go wrong though? It went wrong immediately after those in power decided to ignore their plea. One would recall during this year's municipal elections when prominent leaders were on the campaign trail most of them were lambasted. There was even a time where the ruling party and the official opposition had a toilet fight, yes they tried to compete as to who was better or worse when it come to the issue of sanitation.
Today however is not to talk about toilets or the provision of services. Today I want to highlight the importance of a caring government. I'm not saying that our Government in South Africa is not caring, what I am saying is that their programs is not beneficial to the poor. What a contradictory statement some would say?
Let's do some quick mental maths. Exempt taxi's and some busses (in fear of a revolt) who doesn't contribute to the GDP (with the exception of refuelling) or paying taxes, from paying of tollfees. Building or procuring a highspeed train that doesn't serve it's purpose (which was to reduce traffic congestion and provide alternative means of public transport). Then force the already cashed strapped public to pay for tollfees in excess of more than R50 per single trip from one city to another.
I am convinced that this wasn't thought through as the very means of fuel or food transportation are charged almost R100 per single trip from one city to another. This has resulted in regular and uneven increases on food and fuel prices.
The poorest of the poor therefore suffers the most when it comes to the availability of essential household items. Paraffin which is use at almost every informal settlement is priced at more than the price for petrol or diesel. To buy a loaf of bread is almost also equivalent to the price of these fuels.
My question therefore remains...
SO many questions - SO little answers...
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