To bitch and moan will not help you grow

I’m sure by now you are all aware of our Princess neighbours’ riots … again.

This time, according to our resident municipality watchdog Riaan van Zyl, they are ranting over housing.

I know that they had been promised proper permanent accommodation for ages (since an ANC ward councillor oversaw their ward), but they are going too far.

It always has been my stance that beggars can’t be choosers. For instance, I chose to rent a house in a certain price range. Even though my house does not have a security gate, which I feel is a very important feature to a home, I will never rant and rave in front of my agent’s office demanding that they install one.

These residents can’t afford to buy a house, but that’s okay; they are allowed to occupy land for free, they have access to free electricity and water. They don’t pay taxes, they can vote for whoever they wish, they have a pub/ entertainment venue in their settlement, and have a voice in the community – the same voice they are using now to express their anger.

I’m in no way implying that they should shut up and accept empty promises, but at some point they should start focusing on improving their circumstances, rather than demanding things for free.

At the end of the day, I do get offended. They destroy the roads we pay for, damage cars that hard-working residents need to repair themselves and come up with senseless arguments to justify their behaviour. And please, let’s not make this a racial issue since I would have the same attitude towards the residents of the Coronation Park informal settlement should they be guilty of similar misbehaviour.

I wish they could realise that they have the perfect platform to flourish. They don’t have the burden of rent and other services to worry about. If they work at it now, get jobs, excel in those jobs, improve their income and move out of the settlement, they will become ordinary tax-paying citizens. Then they can start to complain about issues that do affect them, such as e-tolls and pot holes.

Organising a mass-tantrum every time it rains or when stolen electricity cabled are taken away from you is not going to help the situation.

Life happens, and only you are to blame for where you end up.

Until later.

Ciao