THE old adage says there are two certainties in life: taxes and death.
Well, there are far more than two, and for the purposes of this piece I want to single out the issue of fireworks.
This is a topic that arises every Guy Fawkes, Diwali and New Year, without fail.
And it brings with it strong emotions and serious divisions.
On the one hand are animal lovers who rigorously oppose the illegal use of especially ‘big bang’ crackers that scare the daylights out of our beloved pets.
Campaigns against this form of cruelty fall on deaf ears. Attempts to get government to ban the import of fireworks – to stop the problem at its source – have failed dismally.
Trying to educate the public and bring about behavioural change has also proved futile. There are those who simply won’t stop this inhumane practice and will set off explosive devices any time and place they choose.
To make matters worse, in the days leading up to these ‘celebrations’, the authorities piously pronounce the rules and applicable fines relating to illegal discharge of fireworks.
In Jo’burg, much was made of the warning that fines of R1 500 would be issued to offenders.
Sounds good, but so far I have not read of any person being fined.
Add to this the fact that the contact numbers given to report offenders either go unanswered or one is diverted endlessly to yet another impotent or disinterested official.
Understandably, animal lovers are frustrated and angry… and many have chosen to take it out on this newspaper because we allowed a client to advertise their sale of fireworks.
Hmm, that’s a tricky one. Since the sale of fireworks by a registered dealer is legal, and the City’s bylaws prescribe exactly how and when fireworks may be used, does the problem not lie in the hands of the buyer?
Is the seller, and the medium he uses (in this case, the ZO) responsible for abuse of the fireworks laws?
Are newspapers seen as endorsing any product (or claim) advertised in our pages?
Would this then also apply to alcohol sales (advertised throughout the year), where abusers cause so much hurt, pain and death – as opposed to those who partake responsibly? Do we share the blame?
Should we have refused to take alcohol adverts over the festive season?
Did we, by default, contribute to issues such as domestic violence?
These are soul-searching questions.
I, for one, would be extremely happy if fireworks were banned outright. Alcohol too, for that matter.
But that’s never going to happen, so the answer lies in the hearts, minds and actions of people.
Good luck to us all in bringing about that kind of mindset change.
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