Cry my beloved country! - South Africa
What must we say when things go wrong? Sorry?
The last week has proven that South Africans don't want to hear the word "sorry" anymore.
Sunday, 11 September 2022
Residents of the small miner town, Jagersfontein in the Free State province of South Africa, found themselves knee-deep in water and sludge after a dam wall of a local diamond mine burst.
Four people were killed under which an elderly man, 70 were injured and hundreds are now left to rebuild their homes. The SPCA (Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) reported that 624 animals had to be rescued.
Minister Gwede Mantakshe, Mineral Resources and Energy Minister of South Africa declared the area a disaster after his visit on Tuesday.
“We have been protesting and fighting but some leaders were bribed. Today my furniture has been destroyed, while some people lost their homes and cars,” said Thandi Molefe, a resident, after rumors that the mine was asked on numerous occasions to fix the dam. The mine was shut for operation in the 1970s.
What stunned South Africans is the fact that the government could not respond to who the mine belongs.
In the meantime, residents keep on hoping that those guilty will be held accountable.
Location
Friday, 16 September 2022
A dash cam footage of a truck driver crossing a double barrier line at high speed and flattening an oncoming bakkie (light truck) spread like wildfire on social media platforms on Friday.
It was confirmed this morning that 20 people died of which 18 were children between the ages of 5 and 12.
The incident happened on the N2 near the town of Pongola in the province of KwaZulu-Natal. Close to 70 schools in this province are situated in rural areas. Poverty in the area is considerably high which results that parents cannot afford decent transport. It was reported by the Educational Department that 100,000 pupils are left to find their own transport and often light trucks are used which are illegal.
Scholar transport has been an ongoing discussion between the Department of Education, transport road safety, governing bodies, and parents. According to the government, there are not enough funds available to implement a scholar transport program.
The quality of the N2 road is also questionable. Road users have to deal with road narrowing in stages, potholes, high traffic flow, and the negligence of drivers.
The 28-year-old, Sibusiso Siyaya, handed himself over on Saturday after he fled the scene and police started a manhunt. He found himself in court this morning where he was facing 20 charges of culpable homicide and a case of negligent driving.
South Africans found themselves switching channels this morning between the court case and the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II. After Siyaya opposed the filming of the procedures as he feared for his safety the court stopped the filming until the outcome of the bail hearing which will be on 26 September 2022. He will stay in police custody until the hearing.
"It is clear that the truck driver violated all the laws in the book. This is the kind of behaviour that is causing fatal crashes and it is unacceptable. The driver must face the music and we will be monitoring developments in this case.” Transport MEC Sipho Hlomuka said.
He also called for residents of the area to stay calm as a truck was torched and roads were blocked by burning tyres to vent their anger.
Unfortunately, this is not the first time that the lives of scholars were claimed in road accidents. One cannot help to wonder where the line will be drawn.
Sunday, 18 September 2022
South Africans woke up in darkness just to hear that there are no light at the end of the tunnel. Stage 6 of “loadshedding” or “blackouts” was announced at 04:00 am. This after the countries has been on constant power cuts for the last two week. It is the second time this year and the third time in the history of the country that stage 5 has been implemented.
The result of stage 6 is 10 to 12 hours without electricity per day.
Schedule for tomorrow
At a briefing yesterday Mr. Andre de Ruyter, CEO of Eskom the energy supplier, told the media that five generating units had to be prepared after they broke down and that emergency reserves, as well as diesel supplies, were depleted.
He also confirmed that 7,7 billion South African rand, (438 million USD) of diesel was burned in the last five months. "We are doing our level best to avoid a total system collapse.”
In the meantime, Mr. Cyril Ramaphosa, president of South Africa met with the USA President, Mr. Joe Biden over the weekend. One of the items on the agenda was to discuss South Africa’s energy crisis.
Currently, 8.5 billion USD was pledged by western countries to move South Africa away from using coal as the main source of producing energy. A further 38 billion is needed.
These constant power cuts are hindering economic growth and the obtainment of future inventors.
With Eskom seeking a tariff increase of 32% South Africans, and especially businesses will have to find means and ways to get off the grid.
South Africans want action!
25% to @smilesouthafrica
Sorry to hear that. Indonesia also had the same experience in 2006. The Lapindo Mud Tragedy has submerged several sub-districts with its hot mud. The mud comes from well drilling activities that have caused losses to the community. However, until now the government and contractors have not provided compensation for the victims. It's sad when the oligarchs control everything.
It is so sad that people must struggle so long before government helps them.
We had floods in April and untill now there are still areas without water which is a basic need for survival.
Thank you for your interaction ☕️
Hopefully the victims can be treated soon and they can return to normal life...☕
Thanks for my tea!
It’s raining outside and currently no electricity.
A cup of tea is just what I need now 😊
In my area the rainy season has started. Heavy rains often cause flooding like yesterday...😇
Oh no! Floods are no good news but yah.. the kids LOVE it. (•ิ‿•ิ)
Your daughter is beautiful!
Yes. Floods have often occurred in my village. I have been teaching my children to adapt to these conditions since we lived in my hometown 3 years ago. By the way, my daughter is an inspiration and motivation in writing for me...😊
Awh that is beautiful and so precious. 👏🏻
Congratulations, your post has been upvoted by @scilwa, which is a curating account for @R2cornell's Discord Community. We can also be found on our hive community & peakd as well as on my Discord Server
Felicitaciones, su publication ha sido votado por @scilwa. También puedo ser encontrado en nuestra comunidad de colmena y Peakd así como en mi servidor de discordia
Thank you! It is appreciated 🙏
Oh sorry to hear about those incidents. In the first two incidents, I see the negligence of the value of life. The government doesn't represent the majority of people anymore. These businesses and development don't care about humanity!
And about the energy crisis, now it has become a global problem. A replacement of renewable energy source is required immediately. Hope you guys can overcome this effectively!
We all hoped for changes when South Africa became a country ruled by the people, democracy. Unfortunately it has only gone backwards. As a nation we can just continue praying for changes.
Yesterday we had 12 hours power cut in my area. One session was 6 hours long. Listening to the news this morning it looks like they expect things to improve by the end of the week. Fingers cross 🤞
Bencana yang sangat mengerikan semoga bisa kuat dan saya sangat bersedih. Saya berdoa untuk kalian
Thank you for your prayers. It is what is needed right now for our country.
PS: Congratulations on completing your achievement 1!
Here is post which can help you as a newbie;
https://steemit.com/hive-136998/@event-horizon/guidelines-for-newcomers-all-you-need-to-know-is-here
Good luck!
I'm sure I will see you in STEEM FOR BETTERLIFE
Ons geliefde land. Weet nie wat hiervan gaan word nie
Ons kan net aanhou bid en glo! 🙏
This is really 😢.
Indeed it is heartbreaking.
We can just continue to believe and pray that my country will find solutions shortly.
Thank you for your engagement 🌼
Oh goodness! What a tragic incidence! Those innocent kids! My heart go out to them and their families.
And thee load shading! Well, I believe something should be done about it soon.
Try to be safe dear sister.
Thanks for your concern my friend!
It's been a hectic two weeks. At least we are now on stage 5 and no longer stage 6. Today, 8 hours of loadshedding.
As for those kiddies, it is indeed so sad. I've seen some of the images which were taken after the incident. Something I will not easily forget. Just think of my little boyfriend and Divan go to school just never to return that afternoon...Gosh! I got goosebumps!
I'm sorry to hear that, I can only pray that everything can be resolved and for the better. May those who are affected by the disaster be strong and patient to face all this.
Thank you friend 🙏