Why the Hush on Fuel Prices?

Back in 2017, south Africans have a history of protesting high Fuel price, when Jacob Zuma was president, people took to the streets due to the soaring fuel costs. But since Cyril Ramaphosa took office in 2018, there’s been an interesting silence on the whole gas price issue.

There could be a few reasons for this quietude. One thought is that folks are generally happier with Ramaphosa compared to Jacob. Ramaphosa is seen as a more capable and trustworthy leader,so people might be more inclined to cut him some slack on gas prices.

Another possibility is that people might feel a bit powerless under Ramaphosa. Jacob Zuma was an unpopular president, and his government had a reputation for being corrupt and ineffective. This made citizens feel like they had no choice but to protest. On the other hand, Ramaphosa is more popular, and people might believe they can influence him through voting or contacting their representatives.

Lastly, it’s possible that people are just more aware of the complicated factors affecting gas prices. They might understand that the government can only do so much, and that global oil markets also have a say in prices. This could make them less likely to blame the government for high gas prices.

But no matter the reason, this silence on gas prices is a shift from the past. We’ll have to wait and see if it continues as gas prices keep going up.

It’s worth noting that some South Africans are critical of how Ramaphosa deals with gas prices. Some say the government should help more with gas costs, while others think investing in public transportation would be a better solution. But these voices aren’t as loud as they were during Jacob’s presidency.

Maybe this silence is a sign of a more mature and thoughtful electorate. People might be realizing that the government can’t solve everything and that they need to take charge of their own lives. They might also be discovering more effective ways to tackle issues like gas prices beyond just protesting.

Only time will tell if this silence is here to stay. One thing’s for sure: South African citizens are changing how they engage with their government, becoming more discerning and demanding in the process.