I have, in the last few months, been forced to partake in unwanted experiences. I have had to apply for a passport at Home Affairs and for the renewel of my driving licence at the Road Traffic Inspectorate. A depressing thought indeed as my memories of doing these things are perhaps not some of my more cherished.
I recall the South Africans government’s absolute disdain for its people, – in both pre ’94 and post ’94 it must be said - delivered through these two departments. I remember when getting a passport took months and months, and this was before you even heard anything. I remember transferring my original driving license – yes, the one you got and that never expired – to a new photo card – if you were not at their office before sunrise you stood no chance. They only took 50 applicants a day and you would still wait for hours… and hours…and hours. Chicken’s would lay eggs at your feet while you waited there, people would celebrate birthdays and wedding anniversaries. And then you get to the front of the queue and be told that you are actually applicant 51 for the day and hence would not be able to be ‘helped’! ‘ “ ‘Helped’ you would whine. ‘Help’ means to provide assistance. This is not help” And the window would close. And they would all go on lunch.
Firstly, the dreaded Home Affairs passport renewal application. 30 minutes. From arrival to departure. One page form. Digital biometrics. Pay the fee. Done! I was astounded. Even more so when I received an sms two weeks later telling me my passport was ready for collection.
And then the driving license. Come at about mid day I was warned, its quietest then. So I did. Again, about half an hour, digital biometrics, digital eye tests, digital signature. Done. Pick it up in four weeks. And it was there as promised.
Now, if you are sitting in a first world country reading this, you would probably consider this to be the norm. But this is not a first world country, hell, sometimes I wonder if it’s even made third world status yet. There is such a big disparity in service levels and technology here that it boggles the brain. On one hand, we can achieve service levels such as I have described and on the other hand we battle to provide life’s essentials, water and electricity, to the majority of people. On one hand we can hold a mega successful world cup (ask Blatter, he made a good few billions out of it) on the other hand, this third world country could have spent the equivalent of the cost of each seat at Durban’s stadium on building about three low cost houses. Lets do the maths. Three houses, 70000 seats; that’s 210 000 homes. Four people in a home. That’s 840 000 people with a proper roof over their heads. Multiply that out over the cost of all the sexy stadiums put together. That’s a lot of people. And a lot of houses.
I am not a liberal. You probably would have worked that out by now. Besides tree huggers and those who suffer from the dreaded illness known as persevering stupidity, there are a bunch of other types that I also opinionate about. I do not think that I am always right but think I have a fairly balanced view on what is considered to be right and wrong, what is good and bad, what is considered good manners and what is considered rude. Believe it or not, I have a sensitive conscious and feel it when I have not been true to myself or others.
Oh, and over the years I have accepted both my shortcomings and my irresistibility (ok I’m kidding about the last bit).
This is my point, and up until recently some of this applied to me to be honest. How is it that some people will change their story months down the line and really believe and in their hearts and behave like this was the original story? How is that people don’t marry their attendance at church with the manner in which they live their lives? How is it that people will vote for change but make their maids eat out of the dog bowl? How is it that people are self riotous about their own position and perceived success and not take into account where they came from and the journey they have traveled? How is it that the honest grafters continue grafting while the dishonest reap the benefit? How is it that these same people are able to sleep at night?
I could go on. But what’s the point. If you look through your list of contacts you will find people there that fit these criteria. You know who they are. The sad thing is that they won’t recognise themselves. Good luck in your dealings with them.
Until tomorrow.
PS. if you are reading this from your facebook page, please share the link so that your ‘friends’ can read it too. ag thanks man!
No comments:
Post a Comment