Potholed!

The taxi driver changing a tyre mid-route - one of the hazards of driving Tana's roads

I was suffering from quite a high fever on Monday as I rode to the Seventh Day Adventist Clinic across town to see the specialist in tropical diseases, but I still couldn't help but notice how fast Tana is going backwards. And it's all reflected in the state of its roads. Potholes are now as plentiful as roadside vendors in this town - nothing like when I first arrived and saw regular work being done throughout the town. And it's not only evident in the minor roads (many of which are not tarred anyway), but I was astounded to see them in the upmarket suburbs - the suburbs of diplomats, politicians and the rich and famous. 

In self-same suburbs young men stand next to badly filled holes (it seems with garden refuse mixed with mud), hat in hand, asking motorists to reward them for their good deeds. And the guards at the Prime Minister's residence look on.

Marc Ravalomanana, the previous president, was accused of pursuing his own interests while in power; he negotiated with a South Korean company to lease them large tracts of unused land to grow food for export (Malagasies worship their land, which riled many); and he bought a second-hand airplane for his many official government trips abroad (and business trips, as alleged by his overthrower), all of which were cited as reasons for the coup d'etat. I don't doubt that Ravalomanana was not perfect and contributed towards his own downfall by pursuing his business interests while president of the nation, but this was also a leader who expanded the national parks and other protected areas, banned the export of endangered woods, clamped down on corruption in government and poured millions into basic infrastructure, like roads.

One can only pray, for the sake of the nation and its increasingly impoverished people, that the politicians stop their bickering, mudslinging and selfishness and realise why they are there - to serve their people. Until then, Madagascar will keep sliding ever-closer to the bottom of the refuse pit of the world - with all its unique natural resources squandered, having been sold to the highest bidder. 

One of the many types of chameleons one finds in Madagascar. But how long will they and other unique species last,  what with their natural habitats being devastated for the politicians' gain?  Photo: Len de Beer