RSA on the brink

[Hogpatrol]

Opinion, RSA is doomed.

https://www.businesslive.co.za/fm/features/2019-12-19-south-africa-apocalypse-now-now/?utm_source=&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=State+capture+rogues:+where+are+they+now?+|+JUSTICE+MALALA:+The+end+of+a+wasted+year+|+South+Africa:+apocalypse+now-now&utm_term=http://www.businesslive.co.za/fm/features/2019-12-19-south-africa-apocalypse-now-now/

In other news SAA is in quasi-bankruptcy/receivership

https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/opinion/editorials/2019-12-06-editorial-a-last-chance-to-save-saa/

 

[crs]

Sad.

Sounds like the Dems in the USA.

 

[Newboomer]

Politics is politics the world over. Corruption is corruption the world over. Always has been and always will be.

 

[Red Leg]

Politics is politics the world over. Corruption is corruption the world over. Always has been and always will be.

Corruption is significantly worse some places. South Africa is rapidly spiraling into one of the very worst.

 

[Hogpatrol]

They're at Stage 6 load shedding on the grid, close to only having electricity for twelve hours a day. Business and more importantly cell phone service goes down with it.

 

[Hank2211]

Corruption is significantly worse some places. South Africa is rapidly spiraling into one of the very worst.

@Red Leg, I respectfully disagree.

There is no doubt that under Jacob Zuma, South Africa quickly developed into a kleptocracy to rival the Zimbabwean model - everything and everyone exists for me and mine. Those who were not in power wanted to get into power before those who were there took everything, leaving only a shell.

I believe that President Ramaphosa is actually trying to turn this around, but he is facing the challenges you would expect in draining the South African swamp (sound familiar?). Those who have been at the public trough for many years are trying to get everything they can before the doors close. With respect to SAA in particular, Ramaphosa fired the incompetent and self-serving CEO Zuma had appointed, and began trying to make the changes necessary to bring SAA back to life. The result was almost inevitable - employees went on strike (and frankly who can blame them - they weren't the ones stealing from the company, but inevitably, it's their jobs and salaries which will be impacted to fix the thing). The result of the strike and the financial issues is that people won't book on SAA if they have an alternative (and insurers won't insure tickets issued by the airline). Personally, I am flying KLM from Europe to South Africa in June, for the first time. I just can't (or won't) risk my hunting plans by booking SAA. I'm sure many share the same sentiment, which of course doesn't help SAA one bit.

It will take time and a lot of pain for Ramaphosa to turn this thing around, but I for one am rooting for him. Just not willing to risk my wallet on his success.

 

[Red Leg]

@Red Leg, I respectfully disagree.

There is no doubt that under Jacob Zuma, South Africa quickly developed into a kleptocracy to rival the Zimbabwean model - everything and everyone exists for me and mine. Those who were not in power wanted to get into power before those who were there took everything, leaving only a shell.

I believe that President Ramaphosa is actually trying to turn this around, but he is facing the challenges you would expect in draining the South African swamp (sound familiar?). Those who have been at the public trough for many years are trying to get everything they can before the doors close. With respect to SAA in particular, Ramaphosa fired the incompetent and self-serving CEO Zuma had appointed, and began trying to make the changes necessary to bring SAA back to life. The result was almost inevitable - employees went on strike (and frankly who can blame them - they weren't the ones stealing from the company, but inevitably, it's their jobs and salaries which will be impacted to fix the thing). The result of the strike and the financial issues is that people won't book on SAA if they have an alternative (and insurers won't insure tickets issued by the airline). Personally, I am flying KLM from Europe to South Africa in June, for the first time. I just can't (or won't) risk my hunting plans by booking SAA. I'm sure many share the same sentiment, which of course doesn't help SAA one bit.

It will take time and a lot of pain for Ramaphosa to turn this thing around, but I for one am rooting for him. Just not willing to risk my wallet on his success.

I hope you are correct. But, this one won’t have a theoretical conclusion. I’ll wager a 25 year old Macallan that the RSA’s social and economic collapse will continue unabated and even accelerate over the next decade. If we are both functioning at that time, I’ll joyfully pay the debt if I’m wrong.

 

[johnnyblues]

Is all of Africa in collapse? Geezzzz. SA, Benin, Burkina Faso....

 

[One Day...]

Ah, but the (predictable) consequences of the "one man, one vote" process in social systems where the ethnic divide has not been bridged, and the politico-cultural evolution that took 800 years in western society (Magna Carta Libertatum, 1215) was unsuccessfully compressed in 60 years since African decolonization...

What is it they say? Ah, yes! Decisions bear consequences...
And so do elections, since elections are decisions of course...

Heartfelt hope that you are right Hank2211, but I am afraid that Red Leg is not the one who will be saddled with that whisky tab...

But there is indeed no other option than forging forward, which is likely to imply touching the bottom before climbing out, provided there is enough leadership to stop lying to "the people" that everything is owed and nothing is earned nor due...

 

[wesheltonj]

I hope you are correct. But, this one won’t have a theoretical conclusion. I’ll wager a 25 year old Macallan that the RSA’s social and economic collapse will continue unabated and even accelerate over the next decade. If we are both functioning at that time, I’ll joyfully pay the debt if I’m wrong.

I believe your Macallen is safe.

 

[Hank2211]

I hope you are correct. But, this one won’t have a theoretical conclusion. I’ll wager a 25 year old Macallan that the RSA’s social and economic collapse will continue unabated and even accelerate over the next decade. If we are both functioning at that time, I’ll joyfully pay the debt if I’m wrong.

@Red Leg, I never said Ramaphosa would be successful . . . however, I'm willing to take your bet. I don't drink Scotch though, so while I'm happy to pay a 25 year old Macallan if I lose, I get a bottle of Mouton Rothschild, your choice of vintage (so long as its not so young my kids would end up drinking it!), if I win. Agreed?

Now I suggest we name @BRICKBURN the final arbiter of the winner, which of course requires him to root for both of us to make it that long!

 

[Bullthrower338]

I hope you are correct. But, this one won’t have a theoretical conclusion. I’ll wager a 25 year old Macallan that the RSA’s social and economic collapse will continue unabated and even accelerate over the next decade. If we are both functioning at that time, I’ll joyfully pay the debt if I’m wrong.

Only a man sure of his bet would wager such a piece of highland deliciousness! Lol

 

[edward]

bottom line,where are we,the african hunter in all this???

 

[KMG Hunting Safaris]

I give up....

 

[Dr Ray]

Is all of Africa in collapse? Geezzzz. SA, Benin, Burkina Faso....

It appears so and don’t think we western countries are ok. I can see another gfc coming.

 

[Hearties]

I’m in if you want to double-down on the Macallan. The daily torrent of negative news is emotionally draining but, for me, the Afro-pessimism is overblown. I’ve lived on 3 continents and the opportunities in Africa are incredible - but we need open minds, good attitudes and education to maximise them.

 

[Red Leg]

@Red Leg, I never said Ramaphosa would be successful . . . however, I'm willing to take your bet. I don't drink Scotch though, so while I'm happy to pay a 25 year old Macallan if I lose, I get a bottle of Mouton Rothschild, your choice of vintage (so long as its not so young my kids would end up drinking it!), if I win. Agreed?

Now I suggest we name @BRICKBURN the final arbiter of the winner, which of course requires him to root for both of us to make it that long!

Fair enough. And we need to pull for him.

Almost didn’t make it through the afternoon. Tried twice to hang a sable about ten feet off the floor. Can the holes be more awkwardly placed on a wall pedestal?!? I barely had enough sense to quit before one of us took a spill. Son and son-in-law will be in on Sunday and we can have some quality time together.

 

[KAROO WILD Safaris]

I give up....

I feel your pain Marius...

 

[johnnyblues]

Fair enough. And we need to pull for him.

Almost didn’t make it through the afternoon. Tried twice to hang a sable about ten feet off the floor. Can the holes be more awkwardly placed on a wall pedestal?!? I barely had enough sense to quit before one of us took a spill. Son and son-in-law will be in on Sunday and we can have some quality time together.

That’s where pedestals come in mighty handy!

 

[BRICKBURN]

..............
Now I suggest we name @BRICKBURN the final arbiter of the winner, which of course requires him to root for both of us to make it that long!

You can certainly assume that I'll be rooting for you both to live long enough to have a second bet.