Cheers and jeers for 2018
While many across the country are preparing to wind down the year with a well-deserved break, it is sad that 2018 has to end on a sour note of violent protests.
Yet, what we have seen taking place in Jet Park regarding the strike action revolving around the plastic industry is not something unique to South Africa, or Boksburg.
Protests are a world-wide occurrence, evident by how of late France has been rocked by such action.
By the way, France was also over this festive season left shocked when a gunman opened fire at Strasbourg’s Christmas market.
Three people were killed in the terror attack, proving again that violence is not just linked to SA, but globally humans will be humans – flawed at best.
Now, back to the protest action in the country of the Eiffel Tower, the famous revolution and Napoleon Bonaparte. Two things of interests have stood out.
Number one. A proposed increase in fuel taxes sparked the nationwide unrest, resulting in the deployment of about 80 000 police officers.
Number two. The police actually arrested people, almost 2 000.
For those who do not know what is happening in the capital of liberty, fraternity and brotherhood, the protests, named after the high-visibility safety jackets French motorists, have to keep in their cars, erupted in November over the squeeze on household budgets caused by fuel taxes.
This time of the year Paris, not the one in the Free State, is normally abuzz with Christmas fever. Instead, it has become a trying time for shoppers and tourists.
All of this dramatic action is a direct challenge to President Emmanuel Macron and his economic policies.
Now compare this to the state of South Africa, where the government keeps on pushing up fuel taxes and levies, choking its citizens to a point of bankruptcy, yet we as the public sit back and continue to take the punch.
And secondly, where in France it seems decisive action is the order of the day when it comes to police visibility, here in our land of wide-scale corruption and looting, you will find violent protests hold little consequences.
Remember when the EFF trashed and looted the H&M store at the East Rand Mall? Well, no arrests were made.
And don’t expect anybody to be arrested for the latest carnage in Jet Park, which even led to the death of a security guard.
Do we even have a riot squad anymore? I fear not, so looters, it seems, take their time to destroy, to plunder, and to even hurt others. And there are simply no arrests being made, and no one is held accountable.
This is the state of our country, where we are still holding our breath regarding the downsizing of the Cabinet, and where the rand and the price of fuel are on a knife’s edge heading into 2019.
Sadly, Christmas is also a season where those with long fingers tend to thrive, so let us remain alert and caution.
So 2018 was certainly not the best of years. It probably cannot get much worse next year, unless Eskom totally collapses like Boeing from cash-strapped SAA nosediving, and all investments are finally withdrawn.
But, those are worries for 2019, so for now, let us enjoy the summer, enjoy the festive season, stay safe on the roads and let us make this a time of celebrating the joy of life with friends, family and loved ones.
On that note, as the Advertiser signs off for 2018, may you have a blessed festive season.
