Ironic Subtext Of Aid To Cuba Economy Highlighted Opinion by Duncan du Bois - 21st Mar 202221st Mar 2022 Whilst civil society groups opposing the ANC government’s donation of R50 million to Cuba for humanitarian relief are correct in claiming humanitarian relief starts at home, (The Mercury, March 18), the subtext of the issue is ironic for two reasons. First, for sixty years the people of Cuba have experienced an arrested state of development under socialism which has delivered equality in mediocrity and oppression. Yet ANC heavyweights regard Cuba as their preferred holiday destination and as a model socialist state which they seek to replicate in South Africa. But according to socialist propaganda, Cuba is a workers’ paradise. Why, then, is humanitarian aid required? Surely, the benevolent socialist system makes provision for every need? By its intention to donate humanitarian aid
Refinery Closure Has Negative Consequences Economy Opinion by Duncan du Bois - 23rd Feb 2022 It is a sad but well-known fact that the South Durban Basin is plagued by unemployment and impoverishment. The bright hopes of poverty alleviation which the proposed dig-out port once promised, never materialised. Yet now there are voices rejoicing at the closure of the Sapref refinery despite the obvious crushing socio-economic consequences involved. In recent press articles and in the Caxton weekly of February 25, those endorsing Sapref’s closure cite pollution and health issues. At the same time, however, they are content to suggest that Sapref relocate the refinery. Such a view suggests double standards because the same health issues they condemn would then be inflicted on some other community. It is also difficult to swallow the standard reference to negative health
