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Cape Town - The parting of ways between Eskom and its CEO and Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa's latest plan for e-tolls commanded the most attention in this week's top ten comments.
User Theo Martinez countered 'the seven principles of e-tolls' with 'the real seven principles'.
Eskom sent comments through the roof after it parted ways with its CEO, Tshediso Matona. User Bongani Ndlovu's comment [at #4] in response to the Eskom divorce should actually be number one this week, but it is too avant garde at this stage of the top ten offering.
Below is the weekly dose of top ten Fin24 user comments - selected for their wit, value-add to the topic at hand and contribution to healthy debate in a country so much in need of constructive dialogue.
Top ten users comments on:
Ramaphosa to lift veil on Gauteng e-tolls:
1. Roelof Matthysen - Although I do not support the payment system as citizens are already overburdened, I do wish to make the following points:
I) The reality is that SA roads have been tolled for many decades. Even urban tolling is not new. When I first moved to Pretoria, the Stormvoel tollgate wasn't there. There are also about five toll gates on the N17 to Ermelo, only about 120km stretch of road.
II) The user pay principle is also not new in SA. It's been used for many years in other social infrastructure projects, such as Lesotho Highlands Water Project, Berg Dam in Cape Town, etc. It is currently the best way to structure a bankable infrastructure project built off-budget.
III) I believe there are many other uses for the system as a whole, such as collecting data about traffic patterns, crime fighting, etc. I have also noticed Sanral's swift response on the N1 between Pretoria and Joburg if there is traffic congestion due to breakdowns, accidents, etc. This tells me they are able to monitor traffic flow and respond accordingly. Their tow trucks and other support teams are very active - READ STORY
Gauteng e-toll fees to be slashed - Ramaphosa:
2. Clement Raymond Moropodi - I am still puzzled as to why 'these people' insist on this method that has a long chain of admin cost that will end up eating a huge chunk of what I am expected to pay. If they really want the people of Gauteng to pay, they must raise the fuel levy in Gauteng by R0.10 a litre, and make sure this money does not go into the national coffers but gets used for the Gauteng freeways (well, they should consider a name change after this anyway). But no, they want Gauteng to feed the whole country and still milk more out of it! - READ STORY
Seven principles of the new e-tolls:
3. Theo Martinez - the real 7 principles:
I) Because we fear losing local elections in Gauteng we have given this monster a new lick of paint.
II) Because we are hyenas we will get non-payers via their disc license. If Sanral's computer can "talk to" the Post Office's computer is a question for another tender.
III) Nothing changes to the non-transparency of the deal with the Austrians.
IV) Is Cyril paying e-tolls or does he charge it all to the Presidency (and thus the taxpayer)? That goes for all government employees.
V) Can there be an audit where the fuel levy has been used for so far cause that should have gone into road improvements?
VI) Is all this in line with the Consumer Act (I fear not)?
VII) When is Zuma paying back the Nkandla theft?
Eskom, CEO Matona part ways:
4. Bongani Ndlovu - I don't know what to write so I'm giving you a waffles recipe:
2 eggs
2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups milk
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 tablespoon white sugar
4 teaspoons baking powder
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
Directions:
Preheat waffle iron. Beat eggs in large bowl with hand beater until fluffy. Beat in flour, milk, vegetable oil, sugar, baking powder, salt and vanilla, just until smooth.
Spray preheated waffle iron with non-stick cooking spray. Pour mix onto hot waffle iron. Cook until golden brown. Serve hot - READ STORY
Eskom mum on Matona's 'golden handshake':
5. David Muir577 - Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe told Fin24 on Monday that the settlement with Matona was confidential and that any financial consequence of his departure would only be made public in the next financial report in 2016.
You are confidentially getting rid of somebody with MY money. As soon as you use MY MONEY to do so, that I have a right to know! - READ STORY
Time to stop talking and cut the red tape for small business:
6. ChrisAkkedis - True story. The majority of unemployed people in SA are unemployable. And if you try to be nice and do the AA [Affirmative Action] thing, you basically invite unions and government interference into your business, because most workers belong to unions or join them the moment they get a job. Not interested. If unions weren't in government, I could deal with that. But as things are now, having union workers means government interference in your company – READ STORY
7. Chris Nortje - I cannot speak for other small business owners, but here is the reason why my business didn't grow when I still lived in SA: I actually didn't want my small business to grow! "Why?" you might ask. Government interference in bigger corporations through unions. It's a known fact that the ruling party has an alliance with major labour unions, which effectively puts unions in government and gives them the power to not only interfere in business though labour but also to draft policies.
For this reason I preferred to keep it small. Seriously, the idea of growth gave me night sweats! In South Africa dreaming about listing your company on the stock exchange is a nightmare. Through labour unions in government and BEE your baby will soon be hijacked by ANC/Union cadres under the banner of BEE. Worse of all, it's the law and you can do nothing about it. For the small businessman in SA, growth involves too much risk. At least, that's how I feel - READ MORE
Eskom saga: Lynne Brown fumes at ANC in Gauteng:
8. Leonard Izaaks - If you want water, pay for it, if you want petrol, pay for it, if you want a house, pay for it, if you want electricity, PAY FOR IT. If you instate an agreement, that soweto pays a flat rate, then all those other suburbs she mentioned, as well as, Brakpan, Morningside, Chatsworth, Danville, actually the WHOLE COUNTRY must then be entitled to pay, 'FLAT RATE', why is Soweto better than any other part of this country - READ MORE
R51bn train tender has interesting beneficiaries:
9. Orisha Ferndale - I actually do not care who gets the tender and the business, provide the country with proper nationwide train services so we can move forward and level with our other countries that has an effective and a working national railway system. South Africans can not be limited to the Western Cape's Metrorail and the Gautrain. Why can't we travel from one city to the next and explore our own country, without paying exorbitant plane tickets or travel for hours by bus. You got the job- now get it done - READ MORE
10. Clive Kihn - While I agree with some of your sentiments, Orisha, it DOES matter who gets the tender. We want delivery, on time, on budget, to the required specifications and at the best cost for those specs. History tells us that this is not likely to happen when politically connected people get the tender. And Metrofail in the Western Cape is nothing to boast about - READ MORE
Disclaimer: All letters and comments published in MyFin24 have been independently written by members of the Fin24 community. The views are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent those of Fin24.
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