Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Editorial Comment >> 1-15 June 2006

Editorial Comment

High bank charges
In its statement of intent to conduct a public investigation into high bank charges in South Africa, the Competition Commission brought a number of highly interesting phenomena to light. Amongst these are that it would seem that SA has amongst the highest bank charges in the world, that banks in SA collect in total annually some R8 billion in bank charges of which some R3 billion is nett profit and that clients do not have much choice when it comes to bank charges. Another quite relevant phenomenon is that a large segment of the SA population – the majority – has limited access to banking services and credit, although it is duly realized that the business of banking is in the first instance viability. Be it as it may, a thorough public investigation into some aspects of the banking system in SA, notably inter alia banking charges, seems highly desirable, to say the least.

"Regstellende" aksie
Die absurditeit waartoe sg. regstellende aksie / swart bemagtiging en ander eufimismes gevoer word, is lank reeds belaglik. Onder hierdie dekmantel word meesal die mees blantante rassediskriminasie gepleeg teenoor mede-landsburgers. Twaalf jaar nadat te Kemptonpark deur alle belanghebbende partye, rasse en volke ooreengekom is dat 'n nuwe bedeling in Suid-Afrika van stapel gestuur word vanaf 'n gelyke speelveld, word nou met elke denkbare wetgewing die meerderheid teen die minderheid “beskerm”. Die jongste geval is die uitspraak van die Kaapse Arbitrasiehof in 'n Eskom-geding dat swartes bo bruines en ander velkleure bevoordeel moet word in terme van “regstellende” aksie. Sonder om verder op die saak te borduur, kan gesê word dat hoe gouer die SA ekonomie 'n kans gegun wil word om tot sy reg te kom en wydverspreide armoede en werkloosheid daadwerklik aan te spreek, hoe gouer moet sulke sinlose rassediskriminasie laat vaar word.

Student city - zoo on Naval Hill
The other day one of the tourism ghurus in the Free State in a private conversation made an interesting observation. He asked why should Bloemfontein not play according to one of its strengths and extend the strong presence of students in the city and more in particular develop the area between the two universities to accommodate and handle more students. He said the area between the CUT and UFS along At Horak Street, Kingsway, Parfitt Avenue, Charles Street, Donald Murray Avenue and Jock Meiring Street should be rezoned and redeveloped into some sort of innovative “student city” with all the necessary facilities for both studying and recreation. More students, more investments, more purchasing power, more prosperity – it makes some sense. A major implication of such an eventuality, would be, the person suggested, to move the zoo in its entirety to Naval Hill and create there a tourist attraction quite unique in character. Interesting food for thought. By the way, the Mangaung Local Municipality is currently conducting an extensive consultative study on regeneration of the Bloem CBD from First Avenue eastwards. Perhaps the “student city” or whatever idea can be linked up.