We hear from all quarters of the country that we are in a state of crisis. Increasingly, the term “failed state” comes to the fore due to disarray in which national and local government, business and ordinary citizens find themselves.
The energy insecurity, which we have been dealing with since the late 2000s, has risen to unimaginable heights. People are losing their lives due to, among other things, the failure of life-saving equipment when power and back-up battery systems run out.
Just recently, more than 40 people lost their lives due to a cholera outbreak in Gauteng. This should never have happened on a country with the richest square mile in Africa. Appallingly, young children still lose their lives after falling into pit toilets.
Pressure on the national fiscus is increasing as more people lose their jobs and are unable to contribute to the tax base. The needs of millions are rising exponentially since we have not significantly improved the lives of the citizens. The reality being endured by the people is further exacerbating the social tension, which threatens our hard-won democracy.
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