THE DEFINITIVE TRUCKING SITE

Maybe the kids will get the 
'big'
people to listen

It's common conversation at dinner tables around the country: Rampant crime which has spiraled out of control; Eskom power outages inhibiting performance and productivity; business confidence dropping; standards deteriorating on many fronts; corruption riddled charges against our high ranking politicians; and so it goes on, and on...and on. Little time is spent in these conversations on things positive and it seems there is no doubt that a blanket of doom and gloom is hanging over our beautiful country. In one of these conversations, the question was asked: "What, if you had to choose one action, would you do as President of the country to revitalize South Africa's positive vibe?" It's a good question. Here's my answer. What would yours be?
 

I would declare full-out war on crime - going so far as to declare a National State of Emergency and bringing in the army to help clean it up. I would adopt a Zero Tolerance policy to all crime, from the smallest to the highest criminal act. I would ensure that criminals instead of the good guys are scared of venturing out onto the streets. The criminals are using AK47s in many of their dastardly deeds. That's a weapon of war, not a self defense or hunting weapon. If they're coming at society with weapons of war then declare war on them and fight back with power and might. I choose this route because ordinary South African's are living scared - and who can blame them. One of the most effective military tactics is to use an ambush to surprise and attack your enemy. Ordinary South Africans are being ambushed every day - at robots, in their homes, offices, on the streets. They are being maimed and killed in countless ambushes. No-one, for goodness sake, expects to be attacked when going to work or sitting down at night in your home for a family meal. Yet it happens every day. And no-one in Government is taking it seriously or we would see them fighting back with the might that is needed. If we were to see the Government making a concerted effort to beat crime and give all honest, hard-working South Africans the right to life and safety, then this nation would be able to tackle anything. We would get through the Eskom power cuts with the ingenuity South Africans are known for; we would get through anything if we were to live in an environment that made it safe for us and our children to live, work and play. Of course, having some of our highest ranking politicians and policemen facing corruption and criminal charges doesn't exactly help the cause either.
 

We 'big people' have said it before -and no-one has listened. It is thus I am putting the 'small people' on this page. These children - of all race groups -marched against crime after yet another of their young friends was killed by a criminal's bullet. The messages on the various posters brought tears to my eyes as I and many other parents marched with them. Perhaps the cry from the kids might get someone in politics to hear. After all, politicians have kids too and the kids on this page represent the children of South Africa. All they're asking for is a chance to have a future. Are we 'big people' going to give it to them?

Patrick O'Leary
Managing Editor