Is the political situation in South Africa unique?

S

Sly21C

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I think it is sad when people talk about South Africa becoming another Zimbabwe or when they say that this country is a big joke and say negative things about it. I also think it's unfortunate that people talk of leaving this country when Mbeki announced his resignation or leave fro various reasons. I mean is the political situation that is unfolding in this young democracy of ours unique?

Don't get me wrong, if someone wants to leave this country can go ahead and leave because you are free to do so and you are free to express your feelings about this country and the ANC, all I’m saying is that it's sad that it has come to this.

Belgium is facing its own problems just like we are
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/07/europe/EU-GEN-Belgium-Government.php?WT.mc_id=rssfrontpage

Berlusconi is immune from prosecution similar to the Zuma's bid to have his charges dropped politically
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...ecution-while-in-office-after-law-passed.html

I'm sure there are other European countries or countries in first world countries that are facing or have recently faced political uncertainties. But you don't hear a lot of people saying they are getting their visas ready and leaving now do you?

I also think that what Mbeki did was good because he resigned and that shows that in Africa presidents can resign or be fired which is good for democracy I think, but at the same time the ANC fired him for the wrong reasons.

My point is that we shouldn't be so negative and pessimistic about our country and trashing it like it's the worst country in the world. I do believe that thing will get better, it's a question of when.
 
Things cannot get better when they've been getting steadily worse.
Life was good under Madiba, when T-bone came into power, things went down the tubes.
 
Its not unique.
It happned all over the world and is still happening.
However, I view this as a positive if Mbeki forms another party and IF Trevor stays
 
johandutoit2000 said:
There is no hope.
Click to expand...

Indeed, no hope for some whinging, whining whities who get pissed when even their bubble of high walls and armed guards can't insulate them from the realities of this cruel world.

No, SA's situation is not unique especially considering that it's only been 14 years since a new dispensation but things could definitely have been better...the ANC and Thabo Mbeki missed a lot of oppertunities at reconcillation but instead he, at times, carried himself like a victim constantly being persecuted. For me, that's the failure of Mbeki, he was never assertive against his enemies inside and outside the ANC and would be best described as a passive agressive when it came to payback.
 
It is not just the political BS, but the general breakdown of services and of course the rampant violent crime.

How simple is it to build on what the evil coloniser left behind, but no, we must break it down to the ground and replace it with third world African style.

Any sign of them making an attempt to get the crime under control ahead of the 2010 WC ? - no, because that will cost money, which means less in their deep pockets.

My first impressions of the current president is favourable and hopefully he'll get the hooligan corrupt politicians in line - he has a major job on his hands.

It costs a fortune to emigrate, which is something I've felt the need to seriously consider. Screw all those that see fit to criticise the ones that weigh up the costs and risks and decide to leave.

Remember, those Zim pensioners would never have guessed that their pensions would be so eroded forcing them to live on pet food.
 
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Turiko said:
Things cannot get better when they've been getting steadily worse.
Life was good under Madiba, when T-bone came into power, things went down the tubes.
Click to expand...

If you weren't one of the 100 000 South Africans murdered.

You can't even begin to compare S.A to Belgium or Italy. They're functioning first world states not backward Banana Republics. :rolleyes:
 
I can agree with Sly21c, we can be more positive. I also agree with the fact that Mbeki resigned is proof of our democracy, would have been even more democratic if it wasn’t forced. :)

I agree we have similar situations in other countries in some form of reference. It would be nice if actual experience was used to reference a constructive democracy model rather than economic business models.

Things can always be better anywhere, depends on your patience and contribution. If you can’t find an institution to constructively contribute, you should maybe start your own drive.

Leaving the country is basically selling your culture and freedom to be indulged by someone else’s. Your intent will always be assumed as being only for economic gain. (Except if you tell me you love the Irish pubs or surfing, maybe then they might believe you).

One thing is a fact, we are all African. We do things our way and don’t need foreigners to come and shove their agenda’s on our tables (or under). If all fails we can still be a world power by just breeding. (LOL)

It’s a fact though that government officials are raping our tax investments and production potential. They hog all the budgets and distribute them with self indulging kick-backs and political gain.

I can’t help to wonder when we will get the chance to live like Africans. You know like, walking around with fear of animals not people. No walls, just a few rocks to view sunsets. Freedom of religion, culture, speech indigenous practice and symbiotic synergy trade.

It would quite be ironic to immigrate to another country in the name of freedom coming from Africa…
 
To add imagine a Koi-Koi, “pre-money” living in a cultural village with mutually beneficial trade and enjoying his youth without economic confusion. Post-94 gets an opportunity to be an Eskom CEO, takes a few watered down politically interfered courses and a degree or 5 and gets his first diners club card. Makes a huge home loan and buys a beach front property on the coast to build a few African chalets. He imagines himself retired with all his friends on his completed African chalet resort as soon as everyone has time…
 
brixton tower said:
Nah mate, life is terrible if you're chowing down less than three healthy meals a day and you live in a shack that's flooded in winter and an oven in summer.
Click to expand...

exactly why i build houses with habitat for humanity and urge many others who "care" so much to do the same.
 
Sly21C said:
I think it is sad when people talk about South Africa becoming another Zimbabwe or when they say that this country is a big joke and say negative things about it. I also think it's unfortunate that people talk of leaving this country when Mbeki announced his resignation or leave fro various reasons. I mean is the political situation that is unfolding in this young democracy of ours unique?

Don't get me wrong, if someone wants to leave this country can go ahead and leave because you are free to do so and you are free to express your feelings about this country and the ANC, all I’m saying is that it's sad that it has come to this.

Belgium is facing its own problems just like we are
http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/11/07/europe/EU-GEN-Belgium-Government.php?WT.mc_id=rssfrontpage

Berlusconi is immune from prosecution similar to the Zuma's bid to have his charges dropped politically
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/wor...ecution-while-in-office-after-law-passed.html

I'm sure there are other European countries or countries in first world countries that are facing or have recently faced political uncertainties. But you don't hear a lot of people saying they are getting their visas ready and leaving now do you?

I also think that what Mbeki did was good because he resigned and that shows that in Africa presidents can resign or be fired which is good for democracy I think, but at the same time the ANC fired him for the wrong reasons.

My point is that we shouldn't be so negative and pessimistic about our country and trashing it like it's the worst country in the world. I do believe that thing will get better, it's a question of when.
Click to expand...

Political uncertainty in e.g. Belgium is very different to here. Aside from the country itself either way its constituent parts will still be in the EU, use the Euro as a currency etc. which brings a fair amount of stability. The political situation here is different, whether you like it or not. Trying to conflate Belgium and SA's political conditions is naive at best.

Things may get better but there's no guarantee either way. If you're risk averse SA certainly isn't the country to be living in. That's not to say you can't have a good lifestyle here, but it does come with risks.

brixton tower said:
Indeed, no hope for some whinging, whining whities who get pissed when even their bubble of high walls and armed guards can't insulate them from the realities of this cruel world.

No, SA's situation is not unique especially considering that it's only been 14 years since a new dispensation but things could definitely have been better...the ANC and Thabo Mbeki missed a lot of oppertunities at reconcillation but instead he, at times, carried himself like a victim constantly being persecuted. For me, that's the failure of Mbeki, he was never assertive against his enemies inside and outside the ANC and would be best described as a passive agressive when it came to payback.
Click to expand...

If people have the financial or other means to insulate themselves and their families from the cruelty in this world why blame them? That's what the entire Western world effectively does en masse, just because the cruelty is closer to home here doesn't mean people don't have the right to try and insulate themselves from it, either by retreating into gated suburbs etc. or emigrating.
 
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