The start of a new year often brings mixed feelings. There is much to worry about in our country, but there are also clear signs that not everything is heading in the wrong direction. The first encouraging development is the drop in fuel prices taking effect this week, offering real relief to households, transport users and small businesses after months of financial strain.
Lower international oil prices and improved market conditions have filtered through to the pumps, and for once motorists enter January with something closer to hope than dread. There are further signals of stabilisation in the broader economy. The rand has strengthened to levels last seen several years ago, reflecting firmer investor confidence and a more settled fiscal outlook.
At the same time, Eskom has been able to keep significant generating capacity in reserve, a situation that would have been almost unthinkable not long ago. These are not solutions in themselves, but they are steps in the right direction. Closer to home, intensified law-enforcement operations on our roads over the festive period — including the arrest of drunk drivers through joint operations between SAPS, RTI and Msunduzi traffic officers — have been a firm and welcome show of strength.
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Preventing deaths and serious injuries is not only about punishment, but about clear and visible enforcement. It reassures the public that the rules apply. In local government, uMgungundlovu District Municipality’s push for a clean audit after achieving an unqualified outcome is also worth acknowledging.
Yes, clean governance should be the norm, but progress matters — especially in a context where many municipalities continue to move in the opposite direction. It stands as an example other KZN municipalities should follow.
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