Mbeki's speech - expectations

So, parliament reopened today. Much hype was built up around this occasion, as this new government is apt to do. It's a fan fair of note, with bands, and children and the elderly making up the guard of honour, and a veritable show of poor taste with regards the "fashion show" put on by the arriving parliamentary seat warmers.

However, Cape Town, and mother nature had the last laugh today as the weather did not play along, and it rained!

Much speculation in the news in the past week or so about Mr' Mbeki's "State of the Nation" speech, which is now the normal opening of parliament procedure.

PS - Why is it only opening now? What the fuck have they been doing for the past 2 months?

Anyway, the various newspapers, talk shows, and TV interviews spent a lot of valuable time speculating, and the message was much the same:-

Anyone / everyone who was asked the question / interviewed said they wanted to hear the "Boss" address issues relating to crime, unemployment, and one person I heard saying he would like to hear him talk about global warming....

Crime. Is it out of control? The President, and his cohorts tend to not think so. Do the masses really expect him to stand up today, infront of the world press, and say "Crime is out of control!" Yea, right, not even he's that stupid.

What he might say is that they have / will step up the fight against crime, specifically organized crime / crime syndicates. And he'll talk about the fact that on 15% of those who previously used this system are still using the "Bucket sewerage" system, that nearly every citizen in South Africa today has access to running water, and electricity.

He might mention that 200 thousand South Africans are now on antiretrovirals - will he say anything about the other 5.3 million aids / HIV positive South Africans?

Some people are hoping he will announce some changes to his cabinet. I don't expect him to.

This is his last stand, and probably the most important speech he will make in his career. There is much expectation from the masses. I hope he come through.

By tonight, we, and the rest of the world, will know what he had to say. Lets hope it's good.

Salagatle!