Thursday, February 14, 2008

Ons Lewe Lekker in Utopia

The first time I heard this song I thought it was ironic, but it is anything but. On 94.7 there was a report from Homecoming Revolution that many South Africans are returning to the country, despite electricity cuts. One guy who had lived with his family in London for 10 years said power cuts didn't worry him [they are happening all over the world]. He said he the standard of living in South Africa (weather, costs of living) was better than many other First World countries, but he was concerned about Zuma and crime.

I'm yet to be convinced that the number of South Africans returning exceeds the number leaving. I know, off the top of my head, of three South Africans that have left or are in the process of leaving (right now). I don't know any South Africans who are on their way back.

The government meanwhile can apparently not be accused of fibbing about the seriousness of the power crisis. Standard and Poor apparently said that the condition is less serious, however we will struggle for the next 2 years or something. Ummmmm...power cuts for the next 7 years...and that's not serious? All growth is predicated on energy growth. And the problem isn't just local electrical energy supplies; it's a wider condition of limited resources (petroleum to name one).

Under these increasingly constrictive conditions a positive unfazable mindset will be a vital asset.

No comments: