Electoral entrance fee

I wrote this a while ago...notably, before the elections...you get the idea. Enjoy!

Elections are nearing almost faster than the Zim dollar falls and many people it seems are still sitting rather complacently in their armchairs moaning at the state of the country. We regularly hear interviews and reports of grievances being harbored about how the government has done nothing about the state of the country since 1994 and how all of the exciting promises made have since been found to be hollow and worthless.
Heed this my fellow South African: Without want of being self righteous – was it not we who voted the current authority into power and who continue to re-elect this rule of lies and fallacious hope?

Driving between Harding and Richmond a few days ago I was struck by the distinctive beauty of the slopes of the hills. So South African – the swells of green, seasoned with the stark pinks, blues, yellows and greens of low cost housing. It struck me that there is only residential demarcation in these areas, perhaps a school, a soccer field and the occasional ‘spaza’ shop. Where is the infrastructure to employ the few thousand people who live here? Do these people eek out a splinter of living by leeching off of the few members who are able to commute the sixty-odd kilometers to work? I think these people and so many others are bone idle! What happened to wanting to contribute to society, even if it is with a small menial job, or even starting your own empire? If you want it badly enough, there is always a way. We are all too happy to sit and moan. The electoral campaigners plough through these low income areas with their propaganda, leaving a furrow of brainwashed individuals believing that their water will be flecked with vitamins and their bills pre-paid just because their vote went in the right direction. Fact is: yes, these people are South African citizens, and yes, they all have a right to vote – but should they? Now I really need to state that I firmly disagree with the fact that South African ex-pats living all over the world feel that they have the right to vote for a government in a country that they left for somewhat rainier pastures with long white clouds overhead. I’m afraid if you leave, you lose out. Voters need to be contributors! If you child attends ABC secondary school and you pay fees to this school, do you have any say in the matters of XYZ High School? I hear a resounding NO from the harmonic choir.

There are 48 million people in South Africa wanting services, provision and to have their voices heard. However, only about 4 million are willing to contribute in the form of taxes. I salute SARS for tightening the screws on the rich evaders with their billion rand bank accounts, but it is the many million minimum wagers who should also be paying no matter how small the amount!
People who live in these sprinklings of low cost housing developments receive free lights and water and do no pay rates or taxes – “Forcing them to pay is in violation of their basic human rights.” What about my human bloody rights? If I don’t pay my utilities I get cut off – can I then sue the government? Are these housing developments cunningly placed as voter villages, boosting the numbers of voters in specific areas? Obvious.
Ranting aside, I am and likely sure many others are tired of having our wallets sucked skinny by the majority of the country while they stroll the streets and enjoy a sponsored holiday. Our only sin as taxpayers: having a conscience and doing what is necessary and right. Contribute and have your voice heard. Taxpayers have their voices heard, cast your vote and be proud. Partygoers, the kegs are running dry and the lights are coming on and it’s only eight o’clock. The bar is open till midnight next door, but there is a cover charge.