It is with frustration that I read yet another article containing misleading superlatives that are clearly used for effect and not accuracy. In this particular case I am reading “Extra funds needed to maintain city road network” (26 February). The article describes the difficulty of sourcing funding to repair “the city’s crumbling road infrastructure”. Later in the article the journalist refers to “the country’s dilapidated road network”.
I am reading this article as my wife drives us out of the city along the N2, which is currently being widened, towards Wilderness. Already world class, the road to the Garden Route is nevertheless being upgraded in several different spots simultaneously.
I listened with interest to the budget speech and was mostly impressed by what was said, especially around tax incentives for investment in sustainable energies such as wind, wave and solar. The Cape region is better positioned to lead in the use of renewable energies than just about anywhere else in the world; what with our abundance of wind, wave and sun.
But in addition to new forms of generation, surely we should be talking more seriously about introducing daylight saving. If people can work out the 2c/kwh levy that has just been introduced then they can certainly work out changing their clocks by an hour twice a year.
It is true that around the world today, policy makers and businesses are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of the cities and regions to the economic development of nations. Moreover during our interaction with various businesses and public sector leaders during the period under review it became increasingly clear that there is general goodwill towards ACT, but also a recognition that Accelerate Cape Town could be that vehicle that will help big businesses and government leaders to help shape and form a common 2030 Vision, in identifying key levers of change and in turning great ideas into tangible projects.