OPINION

Time for action, not apathy

Voters have every reason to be upset when their elected representatives appear to neglect issues that have an immediate impact on their quality of life. The ongoing pollution of the Asopos River is a typical example of this frustrating behavior on the part of the people that govern us. We learned this week that an investigation is finally going to be launched into the growing number of people who get their water from the river dying from cancer. Despite repeated reports and warnings over the deteriorating quality of the water over the last two years, the conservative government has failed to take the necessary action to prevent local businesses from pouring tons of toxic chemicals into the river. This despite the fact that the Asopos supplies thousands of people with drinking water. It is high time active citizens and nongovernmental organizations took more dynamic initiatives. There seems to be no better antidote against the provocative apathy of the ruling elite.

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