The image next to it is of an e-toll gantry which says “Why should we pay for something we did not ask for?”
The simple fact is: sometimes, the government has to make tough decisions for the benefit of the country – even if, at the time, we don’t like those decisions.
I am constantly reminded of the metaphor of a child who hates school. At the time the child might not understand why they need to sit through boring classes, but looking back, they’ll probably be grateful that their parents forced them to do their homework.
But don’t get me wrong – I am in no way saying we should accept all decisions made by the government. In fact, we should do the opposite. Government needs to be challenged and needs to be held accountable.
However, we must look beyond the juvenile rhetoric of ‘I didn’t ask for it and so I am not going to pay.’ The way e-tolls were handled was wrong, there is no dispute here and organisations such as the the Opposition to Urban Tolling Alliance are correct in fighting the matter. I have not bought an e-tag and I have not paid for driving under the blinding, bright UV gantries. And I know that I am one of many Joburg motorists who is defying Sanral. I am happy to pay for the roads, but not via an e-tag. The fuel levy system has worked in South Africa for years and this is how we should be paying for our roads. Erecting state of the art gantries and spending exorbitant amounts of money for something as simple as a road seems ludicrous.
Like with our improved highways, Zuma claims he did not ask for his swimming pool, tuck shop and chicken coop – like better roads, these amenities are nice to have. The fact that only Zuma and his family are going to reap the benefits of his new and improved home for years to come, however, is a clear indication that he should be paying for it. Why should South Africans pay for a swimming pool that in no way is going to benefit them?
The roads, yes – our fuel levies can pay for these because it means better infrastructure for our province. But a swimming pool? I think Zuma has gone too far on this one. Our president is the child in this metaphor, not the motorists of South Africa.
