I HAVE said many times before that the greatest danger our country faces is the prevailing class divisions.
The gap between the rich and poor is widening by the day.
As a one who has committed his life to alleviating the plight of those who are less privileged than ourselves, I find it scandalous that the minority in this land of plenty is monopolising the country's resources and wealth.
I have raised this concern without paying particular attention to the race of such beneficiaries because I know that when one's social status graduates the race card falls away.
In the recent past Cosatu and other social groupings have called for a lifestyle audit of those "Jims come lately to Joburg", who know no boundaries in terms of boasting about their stinkingly rich lifestyles.
I suppose the blame for the poverty in which the majority of our people find themselves can be wished away by blaming the past.
But the reality of our situation is that the haves are shamelessly wasteful, greedy and utterly selfish.
There is no doubt that most people are involved in a number of activities and also run different business operations. As a result, their incomes might vary from time to time.
But when it comes to politicians, who claim to have "sacrificed" their lives for the oppressed, the rules of the game are expected to be consistent with the struggles that the majority are faced with.
I am embarrassed, for example, by the fact that a politician, a servant of the people, can wear a watch costing R250000.
If you simplify it, more than 60 shacks could be set up to care for the same number of families while the RDP programme continues to move at a snail's pace.
If you put 100 of these fat cats together 6000 temporary dwellings can be erected to accommodate the poverty-stricken, HIV infected, homeless and so on.
Why do we lack the courage to come out and say loudly: "Every man for himself and God for us all."
Cut the tails of wasteful fat cats
I HAVE said many times before that the greatest danger our country faces is the prevailing class divisions.
The gap between the rich and poor is widening by the day.
As a one who has committed his life to alleviating the plight of those who are less privileged than ourselves, I find it scandalous that the minority in this land of plenty is monopolising the country's resources and wealth.
I have raised this concern without paying particular attention to the race of such beneficiaries because I know that when one's social status graduates the race card falls away.
In the recent past Cosatu and other social groupings have called for a lifestyle audit of those "Jims come lately to Joburg", who know no boundaries in terms of boasting about their stinkingly rich lifestyles.
I suppose the blame for the poverty in which the majority of our people find themselves can be wished away by blaming the past.
But the reality of our situation is that the haves are shamelessly wasteful, greedy and utterly selfish.
There is no doubt that most people are involved in a number of activities and also run different business operations. As a result, their incomes might vary from time to time.
But when it comes to politicians, who claim to have "sacrificed" their lives for the oppressed, the rules of the game are expected to be consistent with the struggles that the majority are faced with.
I am embarrassed, for example, by the fact that a politician, a servant of the people, can wear a watch costing R250000.
If you simplify it, more than 60 shacks could be set up to care for the same number of families while the RDP programme continues to move at a snail's pace.
If you put 100 of these fat cats together 6000 temporary dwellings can be erected to accommodate the poverty-stricken, HIV infected, homeless and so on.
Why do we lack the courage to come out and say loudly: "Every man for himself and God for us all."