• Thabile Mange writes:
In the past, we South Africans used to look down upon other African countries. This is because South Africa was doing much better economically, while African countries were poor.
• Also read: Countrywide load-shedding hampers motor industry growth and production
The truth is: African leaders brought their respective countries down to their knees. This is due to corruption, greed and mismanagement. And these leaders didn’t see anything wrong with that.
Today, South Africa is almost a failed state. Thanks to our corrupt and greedy political leaders.
They (political leaders) are richer than entrepreneurs, yet they are not business people. When will a lifestyle audit be conducted among our leaders?
Recently, the media reported that Eskom wants to propose a stage 16 load-shedding. I was shocked but not surprised. I knew this day was coming but I did not expect it so soon.
Not long ago, the president appointed Kgosientsho Ramokgopa as minister of electricity. Since Ramokgopa has been appointed as minister of electricity, load-shedding has increased.
• Also read: Municipality pleads with residents to minimise power usage after load-shedding
The weekend newspapers reported that food prices have risen due to load-shedding. Clearly, electricity blackouts are threatening food security. Yet our government is not treating load-shedding as an emergency.
In addition, many people have lost their jobs due to load-shedding. The economy is also struggling to pick up because of the electricity blackouts, which have been with us since 2010. I never thought our beautiful country will be in the position it finds itself today. I never thought that we would one day stay without electricity for four hours or more a day.
One day, we will run to other African countries such as Zimbabwe to seek a better life, just like Zimbabweans had flocked to our country to search for greener pastures.
The other day, a Zimbabwean living in South Africa recently said to me, your country is fast becoming a banana republic, if not already, just like other African countries. It hurts but it’s true.
