The better life for all that we were promised at the dawn of our democracy in 1994 has turned into a horrible nightmare.
Everything has come to a crushing standstill, where, for the first time in the history of this country, qualified doctors and nurses cannot be employed because there is no money.
The training of various categories of health professionals has been hampered by what the government describes as budget constraints.
But, one would have hoped that the few that managed to undergo and complete their training would not be sitting idling at home while there is a dire shortage of medical staff which is due to lack of funding.
Those who have followed the Zondo Commission have no doubt why the government coffers are empty; it was like everyone who fought for the liberation of this country felt entitled to pay themselves through corruption from 2007 onwards.
And now the citizens who have yet to see all those lofty promises come to fruition are the ones mercilessly exploited in high tariffs for electricity, water, refuse removal, property rates, and fuel hikes among other consumables.
The cherry on top, in addition to the ever present Covid-19 death threat; we have a looming civil war threat driven by opposing factions in the ANC, prompted by the desire to control the government kitty. A threat which is very real as it can add to the many deaths that the Delta variant of the coronavirus is likely to cause.
It is clear that we were duped like the many Africans who drown many times a year as their overloaded boats capsize in the Mediterranean sea while trying to flee extreme poverty and suffering in their independent countries.
Only a well co-ordinated prayer by all our churches can ask for the only hope; Divine intervention.
The Star