Tuesday, August 9, 2011

The D-Line Column: Dream deferred for Jazzman’s boys Shabba, Teko…


Greetings in name of diski. Long time, no click!

'He's done his best for me and he was also key in me buying [four Fish & Chips] franchises', that was Shabba's view on contributions of Jazzman Mahlakgane as his agent. Having read that on Kick Off Issue # 411, my mind raced to Mark Gevisser's 935-page biography, Thabo Mbeki:

The Dream Deferred. Somewhere in the brilliant but lengthy book, Mbeki was appalled, on his 1990 return, when he was shown 'RICHEST' Black South Africans who boasted hair salons, funeral parlours and filling stations and none on mining, property and other key economic strongholds.

That Shabba will, after 17 years of democracy, list Fish & Chips with content is a shock. Not blaming Jazzy, one has to ask where is Bobby, Kaizer and other key roleplayers in directing Shabba to better investments. Why is Shabba not owning the property where the franchises will rent space from him?

Jomo Sono started KFC but has since evolved to be in high economic money spinners. The sad part is Shabba opens his businesses on the spectacular failure of suchlike adventures by Baby Jake Matlala (boxer) and Bob Mabena and Brian Baloyi resturants.

Who is leading our young boys down the garden path? Why are our coastal boys, Rhee Zuma, Bhele, Benni and Nasief not buying a ship, as Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele has lamented the lack of Africans in such lucrative industries? Our ports are influential in Africa. Patrice Motsepe had to call American rapper, 50 Cents to invest in mines, while our boys splash on cars. The profits of their enterprises can only cover rents to landlords.

I used Shabba as an illustration, not direct attack on him or Jazzman. The column remains impartial and unbiased.

So long a letter...

El Babuino
The Mercurial One

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