South Africa is talking to China about a high-speed train that’ll connect Johannesburg and Durban.
Apparently there’s been talk of this kind for years – the idea was first floated by former transport minister Sibusiso Ndebele in 2010, according to Business Insider.
The problem back then? Funding, of course.
Nothing’s changed as far as the purse strings are concerned, but current minister Fikile Mbalula resparked the conversation last August. If anything, railway construction would create jobs and boost the local economy.
Of course, given recent events in KZN, not to mention ongoing corruption red flags, reactions on the ground have been mixed.
Here’s what people are saying:
Really…? Why don’t they help fix the power stations instead!
— Mark Crozier 🎱 (@CrozierMark) April 20, 2022
Imagine the so called bullet train in SA where we are experiencing Stage 4 load shedding
It will no longer be a bullet train but sling shot train 😂😂😂— Thabiso 👑 (@Thabzo_) April 20, 2022
After 12 years it’s not happening.. Besides soon there will be no rail track to dbn
— Brett Ben Raphael (@Brettbenraphael) April 20, 2022
When are we manufacturing our own! Locally produced when? Why we keep on importing why do we outsource everything including brains? What are Universities and technical schools for? Until when vele? Where is the job creation on that?
— Zakes Me (@Zakes_12) April 20, 2022
How much will that cost us? Or it will be another Gautrain which we will help fund through our taxes but not afford a ticket on it?
— Com Mush (@CMushiyeni) April 20, 2022
This will be great if it can realise, let us stop talking and start doing things. We have more urgent problems that need attention, once they are done lets focus on this new projects.
Ask yourself will this project improve the current problem we have, or make them worse?— Riaan Els (@riaan__els) April 20, 2022
Don’t lie! Why is the stuff you worried about not affecting Gautrain? With adequate security in place, anything is possible!
— 🇿🇦KumkaniSolomon💦🇮🇹 (@_magakwe_) April 20, 2022
We arent ready for it financially. Fix the current transport system. Improve it, make it affordable, decrease unemployment rate to 10.5%, enable salary & wage growth, improve on device delivers and then consider all the other fancy things when you have a functioning economy.
— Mathmetics (@mathmetic1) April 20, 2022
Picture: Unsplash
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