January 9 2004
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January 9 2004 |
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According to the annual Markinor poll South Africans are more positive about the country's future than last year. That's good news for all of us and exactly what we need to make things work. A pity though that there is still no end to our gravy train.
The ANC is starting to feel the pinch themselves with workers and top officials not getting paid in November. Bonuses were not paid though all officials eventually were paid in December. Obviously ANC staff were not impressed (would you be?), but according to our new daily paper This Day, the "comrades" are still committed. With the job situation the way it currently is, I'm not surprised. All of us are hanging on to our jobs for dear life. This cash shortage is not good news though for the ruling party as the elections are round the corner!
Maybe that's why there are so many land claims - up to 75% of commercial farmland (in certain areas) are being claimed by "land-hungry black peasants" as This Day put it. Government budgeted R854 million for the 2003/2004 year for land restitution. 76% of this has been spent already with a possible R939 million for 2004/2005. The scary part is that only 35 000 to 50 000 commercial farms are productive! Obviously farmers are anxious about new laws being passed to make the expropriation of farms easier for claimants but (if government is to believed) the chief land claims commissioner is positive in finding a solution to a successful transition between current land owners (farmers) and successful claimants. Gwanya says that claimants must enter into a "partnership" with current farmers in order to ensure that the land stays productive. Squatters are the biggest single concern to all though.
Nice to see how the North West premier (Popo Molefe) has become constructive in fighting corruption in his province. He has set up a hotline for people to report corruption and since last year (when the service started) 18 cases have been reported. In his words "Our people must play a central role as we confront this scourge. We must build a culture of integrity and clean governance." Good point if Mbeki wants Nepad to succeed! In 2002 52 criminal cases were reported involving R35,1 million.
Will we see other provinces following suite? I hope so...