There is a saying that the more things change, the more they stay the same.
In South Africa that saying is quite apt because, despite the government promising so much regarding employment and saving the state-owned enterprises, the reality is that we as the poor citizens keep on losing trust in government.
This was confirmed by the 2020 Edelman Trust Barometer survey conducted by US-based public relations and marketing consultancy firm Edelman.
The annual survey, which measures the level of trust in governments, the media, business and non-governmental organisations, says the world is becoming less trusting of these institutions.
It says a sense of “inequity and unfairness” is driving distrust, as the institutions “increasingly serve the interests of the few over everyone”.
Well, nothing new about such a survey. We all know the government only serves its own strange agendas.
“Distrust” probably sums up the mood in South Africa. We distrust anything and everything. This is why we are all political analysts and sports commentators: we cannot even trust the experts.
Meanwhile, Eskom remains a circus, yet the lights are not shining. After all, newly appointed Eskom interim board chairperson Prof Malegapuru Makgoba apparently was also left in the dark about his appointment.
Yes, he had to learn of this development from his daughter who lives in London. And so South Africa continues to provide wonderful material for stand-up comedians because things have become a complete joke.
Lately, South African Airways (SAA) cancelled some domestic and international flights as the cash-strapped carrier fights for survival. The government, however, insists that SAA must remain our national airline.
Reality is that it has become the national shame, or is that sham. It embodies everything that is wrong with our government – lack of skills, leadership and common sense.
Remember, this national airline was last year rocked by strikes, and then placed under business rescue. Imagine someone telling you this back in the 1990s? We would have laughed at such nonsense, just as we couldn’t imagine how cellphones would virtually rule the world.
By the way, of the more than 3 000 South African businesses that have been placed in business rescue since 2011, apparently only a third are still in business. So who is ready to place any bets on SAA surviving?
You can’t but distrust the government’s stated intent to rescue SAA. But wait, of course they will keep going, like Eskom, because the taxpayers will keep paying to flog the dead horse.
The once mighty reputation of SAA has become so horrific that it will even make Batman’s nemesis – the Joker – cringe. After all, even a number of top travel agents now refuse to sell SAA flights due to the high risk of cancellation.
Fun times, indeed. And how about the fact that every year the SAPS hopes for change on the roads over the festive season, as they warn and educate drivers to be safe.
Yet things stay the same. This is after a total of 24 827 drunk drivers were arrested across South Africa over the festive season.
This means 4 048 more people were arrested by the SAPS for driving under the influence of alcohol and drugs compared with the previous period.
Sure, we all like to sip on something now and then (some like to sip more) and then thinking we are fine to slide in behind the wheel. It is, of course, our pride and ego that override the distrust we should have in our driving ability.
It reminds us how we live in a society where we still don’t take into consideration other people’s safety. Sadly, too many motorists ride like cowboys down the street, completely intoxicated, all the while posing a danger to the innocent.
And yes, as a last word, nothing has changed regarding criminals’ intent to follow people home from the bank. This is despite the SAPS warning people of carrying bags full of money with them.
So please be aware, be alert and always keep in mind that in this country, being distrustful is actually a means to survival because it seems a lot of opportunists are looking to score a pay cheque.
