The government made remarkably little noise about the fact that it generously rebated the tax on fuel by R1.50 a litre during these last two months. Unfortunately dabbling with the pricing algorithm has backfired somewhat as the expected “return to normal” has not taken place and not only is that rebate likely to be ended but the external factors have ganged up against us and we can expect a total increase starting next Wednesday of R3.50 per litre. Oooh. Its remarkable that the frequently quite vocal protestors have not yet taken to the streets to display their “We are Angry” dances. Perhaps they know that they may gain supporters from the usually apathetic and phlegmatic white monopoly capitalists and that would upset their “them and us” narrative.
Ex-president Mbeki carefully nurtures the widespread assumption that he is a wise elder statement. However, he somewhat tarnished this reputation recently when he reportedly appeared at a national youth task team political school under the banner of “Rebuild, renew, revive, reimagine and reposition the ANCYL towards economic freedom in our lifetime, now or never”. Word salads like this are always an alert that waffle is in the air and unfortunately its not obvious that Mbeki any longer has a constituency of followers interested in doing what sounds like a great deal of hard work. Borrowing one of the opposition’s tag-lines “Economic Freedom” was interesting. But there was no report that Mbeki explained just who in this land still requires to be granted this particular freedom and if so by whom. Judging by the ads that infest both the TV and the Internet there are dozens of outfits eager and able to lend money to entrepreneurs.
Those of us who complain that no one has yet been called to account for the numerous corruption cases of the past few years should note that arrests were made this week. They included a senior civil servant from the Ministry of Mineral Resources and two Gupta side-kicks. Allegedly they nicked about R1.75bn of mine trust funds That’s a goodly sum and paying it back before lengthy prison spells is a splendid idea. Naturally the lawyers for this unsavoury crew are already in full cry and are faithfully following the Zuma playbook of delaying the trial until we all grow weary and old. Talking of which the assurances that the paperwork necessary for extraditing the actual Guptas was awaiting only the correct ink for the necessary signatures, has gone quiet. Oh how we need to see those fellows in a dusty hot South African court room.
Tidemarks is a keen follower of most motor sports excluding of course the rather sad E series designed to promote the idea that battery powered transport is the way of the future. This weekend it’s the Monaco GP, that celebration of allegedly understated sophisticated and refined wealth. No one will ever admit that it’s a ridiculous circuit for Formula 1 cars. It’s just too special to risk getting it cancelled. Amongst other track specialities is the tightest and slowest hairpin corner in the sport. Allegedly designers of the racing car steering geometry need specially to take this left hander into account. At the other end of the spectrum is the insanity of the TT motor bike races held on that mysterious Isle of Man. This is a festival of raw speed and scant safety features and begins this weekend too. It's difficult to find the TT events on TV but its worth the search if only to try and decode the impenetrable Manx accent apparently reserved for commentators at the event. This event places in proper context the squabble taking place in Formula 1 about driver’s jewellery and body piercings. A TT rider’s piercings only count if caused by bits from the rider’s bike dislodged by a stone wall or a spectator holding a beer. Or once a horse! Watch for the side car events!
James Greener
Friday 27th May 2022
