In response to a comment

Anonymous said...

Without any disrespect when you say "the good news is that they did not raise the interest rate..." I cant see any good news in SA these days: electricity issues will get worse before (if) they get better, issues with water pollution will also get worse, SA is headed for a deep recession, Zuma will create even more chaos, education in general is in the toilet so is health care and lets not forget about crime. Sorry I cant see any good news.

Well, what you say may be true, however:-
I must assume you are an ex-South African, who probably left this country for one of many reasons, but not with a happy heart. So, like many others, you will never see anything good in any situation regarding South Africa.
Electricity issues will get worse before they get better. But they will get better. it may take 5 - 7 years, but that's the way it is. We are not the first country to suffer this problem, Brasil for one had the same problem before, and I believe, could be running into a similar situation again. This happens.
Water pollution is a common problem world wide, however, the water we drink, straight out of the tap (unlike many European countries) is still the best in the world. The relatively minor incidents of sewerage spilling into rivers are addressed as soon as possible, and will have no more an effect on our drinking water than the recycled sewerage water that comes out of the taps in New York (look it up!)
Internationally the world's economies are looking at going into a recession. Fact - a comment made on 702 last night said that for the first time in 17 years they have had a negative growth quarter, and if house prices there start to decrease, then they will be in a recession! In South Africa, house prices have not risen in the past 6 - 7 months, but we did have an awesome run on house prices for the preceding 36 months, which means our market is taking a breath. Expectations are that the market value will still grow this year, but slower than in the past.
I'm not too keen on Zuma either, but I somehow think he's not going to stuff it up. In fact, with all things considered, he might not even get the Presidency, as he still faces the courts on corruption charges, and we don't know too much about his 2nd in charge who would step in if he falls out. What I do know is that the voting population is more mature, the up and coming younger generation who have the benefit of better education and exposure to the world and worldly ways are more inclined to vote with their heads and not their hearts. Not for them the old guard way of the ANC. They are looking for results, growth and prosperity, and they know monkey when they see monkey.
Education is still where it was during the Apartheid era. The suburban schools are doing a good job, the rural schools are underfunded. Nothing has changed. A school friend of my son recently emigrated with his family to the USA, and after 3 months in school (at the level he was when he left here) he was pushed up a level, as his education was far advanced to that of his peers. he is the product of what is referred to here as a post apartheid education system!
Health care is a problem, I cant argue that point. But, for many more people today private medical aid is available, and an option (more people gainfully employed). Within the government there is an understanding of the problems, and they are trying to come to the party. But this is a problem.
Finally, my personal bugbear - crime. Yup, it is rampant, and put of control. It seems the more people get arrested, the more there are out there. The problem isn't that someone will come in and steal your tv / cash / cars / cellphones, the problem is that most times the crime goes hand in hand with extreme violence. I'm not in a position to defend this problem, but I can say that if the correct measures are taken, there is the option to reduce your personal exposure to crime, but, this is never a guarantee. However, having said that, are you trying to tell me that in other countries around the world, there is no chance that you will be murdered? I think not. The likelihood is that you are less exposed to the possibility, but never, ever completely protected from it.

Thanx for leaving your comment, I think it's valuable, I don't think you are right or wrong. It gives me, and other readers of this blog (if there are any) a chance to think about the issues which we might take for granted, and which others see from the 'outside". It's also given me a subject to write about which I follow on a daily basis, and about which I am passionate. I too have some doubts, but I also believe that with a combined effort we can win this race - eventually!
Call again. Great to have a challenging discussion!
Oh, and for me, the fact that the interest rate didn't go up was a big issue! Damn, if it kept up the pace I'd be out of a home soon!!!

Salagatle!