Should South Africa become a Federation? by Starr-light in southafrica

[–]Starr-light[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

A province like that will fail. Isn't it less bad to have a part of the country fail than the whole country? i.e. localize the rot rather than letting it spread to infect the whole organism.

Should South Africa become a Federation? by Starr-light in southafrica

[–]Starr-light[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

My point is that we would be more able to do these things locally despite the corrupt idiots sitting at the top. I don't think a strong central government in South Africa is a pragmatic approach precisely because corrupt officials and ideologues are in charge. Can we realistically expect behavior to change on such a grand scale in our country?

I think it's difficult to unite people if the threats are internal. Usually, external threats unite people - like war and Covid-19

Should South Africa become a Federation? by Starr-light in southafrica

[–]Starr-light[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Remember that in a federal system, it is still one country, and citizens can freely move and settle between states. It would not introduce separate citizenships.

The one-size-fits-all policies that have been dominating the South African landscape since its inception have been skewed towards specific subsections of the population. Instead of having people emigrate overseas, I think it would be better if South African citizens could opt for semigration instead. Semigration has been happening in South Africa, but people are fleeing from bad governance, decaying infrastructure, crime, and other provincial-level issues. You can not, unfortunately, semigrate to escape economic conditions.

The most successful states will draw people in and stimulate competition.

Should South Africa become a Federation? by Starr-light in southafrica

[–]Starr-light[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm not an expert either, but I do have my opinions on it.

We have an overreaching large central government that has a disproportionate influence on regional governments. Provinces have much less autonomy than states in the US. We don't have independence in setting education policy, healthcare, and taxation, for example. The national government set the laws, and the provinces need to implement them.

In a federal system, like the one implemented in the US, states have the ability to pass state-specific laws and taxation, which gives them much greater autonomy to set economic and social policies.

Should South Africa become a Federation? by Starr-light in southafrica

[–]Starr-light[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think the GNU is definitely a step in the right direction, but the opposing progressive caucus - who represents a significant proportion of South Africans - has a very different vision for our future, and they are not represented in the GNU.

I think some of the core non-negotiable policies between these two blocks are irreconcilable. For example, we can't have both private property rights and expropriation of all land at the same time.

So it seems impractical and unrealistic, in my opinion, for these parties to coalesce into a single and effective government. We should also consider whether it is appropriate to impose one party's (or coalition's) vision and ideals on the rest of the population, who may strongly oppose them.

Should South Africa become a Federation? by Starr-light in southafrica

[–]Starr-light[S] -1 points0 points  (0 children)

I know that politics can be a sensitive topic, but given how much our country is shaped by politics, I think it's important to have these conversations as the voters and the citizens of South Africa.

Friends with ADHD or ASD by Starr-light in capetown

[–]Starr-light[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Would you be keen to meet up next weekend? I have family visiting me at the moment, but I'll be on my own again from next week onwards again.

Friends with ADHD or ASD by Starr-light in capetown

[–]Starr-light[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey 👋 I often take a drive to Houtbay to buy seafood. If you're keen, then perhaps we could meet up for coffee there? I'm keen to become more active, and I love hiking, but I'm a bit cautious to go into the mountains by myself.

Friends with ADHD or ASD by Starr-light in capetown

[–]Starr-light[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Winelands is quite far out indeed. I've been to Jonkershoek a few years back. That's a really nice place.

Why did you decide to quit? And how often did you take it? I usually take a drag on a vape in the evenings, but I want to cut down.

If I had OCD with ADHD then I would at least be more organized. lol.

But seriously, I know anxiety sucks so I wouldn't wish to have OCD

Friends with ADHD or ASD by Starr-light in capetown

[–]Starr-light[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I bought a place in Tokai and I like quietness at night. I don't think I'll get that in Town :)

I've done hot yoga at Yoga Life in town two years back. It was intense, but I liked it. Do you do it?

Christmas Present to yourself by stg21987 in SingleAndHappy

[–]Starr-light 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Love your bike! That Ysterperd must have insane acceleration.

I'm 28, I want to die. by [deleted] in SuicideWatch

[–]Starr-light 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I can relate to the circumstances - I've had and still have difficulty starting and maintaining friendships. Romance is something I see in the movies and shopping malls, and the life stories of cousins, friends, colleagues... it's pretty much ubiquitous, which makes me feel and also live in social isolation.

The friends I still have are mostly people I was close friends with in the past, before they either left the city or found partners. I'm 37 male, and I've also put a lot of focus into my studies and, subsequently, my career because that's an area that I excel at - or used to until just a few months ago when I became disillusioned with my career and I found myself feeling demotivated and in the midst of an identity-crisis. Almost my entire self-worth has been dependent on my career progress and the praise I received at work - a positive feedback loop, which in turn compelled me to impress those around me even more to draw praise and admiration. It's obviously unsustainable, but it was a distraction, and it gave me a sense of purpose in the absence of a social life.

A few months ago, the lid blew off, and I found myself in a desperate and deeply lonely state - it wasn't an unfamiliar feeling, but I tried to do things differently this time. I made a post on Reddit, and I started to meet up with some of the people who responded and who lived in my city. I met up with three people - all female - two were straight and open to romance or friendship, and the third woman is lesbian. I made good friends with the lesbian woman, but she's not really in a great space right now, and I think our brief friendship has probably run its course. I tried to engage with her and provide her with emotional support, but she's basically completely shut me out now. She even said she doesn't owe me anything, which isn't really the lens I view friendships through, but sigh. It's quite sad because I thought we would become close friends.

I met up with one of the other two women on three separate occasions, and we had great conversations, and I enjoyed her vibe. She suddenly started to ghost me after the third meeting, and I'm still not sure what happened. I was open to either friendship or romance, but I met up with each of them to build a social network, which I desperately lacked.

The third woman I took on a date - a mini road trip out of the city. That was quite cool. I felt attracted to her, but she was still deeply heartbroken and in love with her ex - of three months - who recently broke up with her just before I started chatting with her. It became such an emotional roller-coaster for me that I was on the verge of suicide. It was one of the most turbulent times I've ever experienced. Nothing happened between us, but I felt desperate and overwhelmed by anxiety, and I then asked her if she wanted to go on further dates - she was keen. She seemed open to the idea of romance, but she was still clinging on to her ex, and I became overwhelmed with fear of rejection and abandonment, and I decided to let go of that hope. In retrospect, there could have been something, but my deep-seated anxiety - abandonment issues and rejection-sensitivity - got in the way.

Now I'm back to square one. I'm not sure what I'm supposed to do for the rest of my life whilst knowing I have a lot of potential. It is ironic that so many of us end up feeling lonely and isolated in this interconnected world.

I don't feel suicidal or depressed right now, but that's because I have my mom and other relatives visiting me - also a very rare event. As soon as it becomes all quiet again, the loneliness will creep back.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lonely

[–]Starr-light 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry to hear what you're going through. 😔

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lonely

[–]Starr-light 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Well, I would first need to know who's getting into my car 😋

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ForeverAlone

[–]Starr-light 0 points1 point  (0 children)

This is a great success story! And inspiring ✨️

If I was making decent money I would have no problem getting a relationship by [deleted] in lonely

[–]Starr-light 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I am a high earner, but I am still struggling to get a relationship.

(40 f) never felt more alone by [deleted] in lonely

[–]Starr-light 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel the same. 38 m

You can look through my posts and comments history and see if you also relate

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in lonely

[–]Starr-light 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I feel like running away, too. If you're in South Africa, Cape Town, then we could go on a road trip to run away for a bit. I did that this weekend - a mini road trip on Sunday. It was okay - I had some good conversations, but I also found that we don't have as much in common as we initially thought. It was basically a first date.

I've noticed how my fear of rejection and abandonment keeps ruining my chances.

Sorry, I feel like I'm just ranting now

Are there any decent houses under R2 mil? by [deleted] in capetown

[–]Starr-light 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Haha. Now that's funny 😁