Great care needs to be taken in how the case for, and against, pay parking is argued and played out. Especially when considering the next two years of political machinations.
The ANC is clearly divided and, according to Thabo Mbeki, heading for extinction.
One half’s mission seems to be to protect Zuma, what he stands for and appears to condone, his white minority capital mantra, and his NDZ “Hail Mary” solution.
The other half is on a save South Africa, reclaim the heart of Mandela and Tambo moral resurgence, with Ramaphosa seemingly as the man. One side will play nice – the other probably more desperate!
This paid parking surprise plays right into one side of this scenario. Imagine the political mileage. All those privileged (mostly) white people begrudging the economic development opportunity for 60 previously unemployed people by rebelling against a measly R6 parking fee.
All because it is inconvenient for residents, businesses, or the fat-cat tourism sector.
It is a ploy tailor-made for a white monopoly capital crusade, with timing that seems to have been surgically coordinated.
Even if the outcome is a victory for business and residents due to a patently flawed process, it remains a political masterstroke for the Zuma faction of the ANC. It’s a “red-herring” distraction from the real issues and a rallying point for political points-scoring on the tinder-box poverty and unemployment agenda. A coordinated social activism programme will only stoke the fire.
Rule #1: In a no-win situation – don’t play a losing hand, especially in public!
COLIN MITCHELL
Ballito
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