Long ago, Hendrik Verwoerd decreed blacks would be cramped into areas far away from centres of business.
Long ago, Hendrik Verwoerd decreed blacks would be cramped into areas far away from centres of business.
They would be "housed" in locations and have to dig deep in their pockets to earn a living. They would spend the money they had in white-designated localities - inflating even more the already bulging pockets of this privileged class.
Today - 13 years after blacks assumed political control - the poor people still fan the economy in these areas.
Township businesspeople - a laughable, if not tragic handful - have penetrated the former white areas.
Verwoerd's apartheid designs still largely draw the line. They have long determined economic hubs.
As a rule, the quest for riches knows no boundaries. Meanwhile, the township folk still need a bulldozer to break into big business.
Take the case of tow truckers in Soweto. Their neighbourhood is still under siege from outsiders, yet they are not allowed to venture out of the township.
Small wonder they were angry when tow truckers from outside tried to tow a car in Dobsonville this week.
The tow-trucking business is still dominated from outside the townships. The operators are a law unto themselves.
The government must legislate, draw borders and protect the little guys against the conglomerates.
Trucking back apartheid
Long ago, Hendrik Verwoerd decreed blacks would be cramped into areas far away from centres of business.
Long ago, Hendrik Verwoerd decreed blacks would be cramped into areas far away from centres of business.
They would be "housed" in locations and have to dig deep in their pockets to earn a living. They would spend the money they had in white-designated localities - inflating even more the already bulging pockets of this privileged class.
Today - 13 years after blacks assumed political control - the poor people still fan the economy in these areas.
Township businesspeople - a laughable, if not tragic handful - have penetrated the former white areas.
Verwoerd's apartheid designs still largely draw the line. They have long determined economic hubs.
As a rule, the quest for riches knows no boundaries. Meanwhile, the township folk still need a bulldozer to break into big business.
Take the case of tow truckers in Soweto. Their neighbourhood is still under siege from outsiders, yet they are not allowed to venture out of the township.
Small wonder they were angry when tow truckers from outside tried to tow a car in Dobsonville this week.
The tow-trucking business is still dominated from outside the townships. The operators are a law unto themselves.
The government must legislate, draw borders and protect the little guys against the conglomerates.
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