SHOW SOME RESPEC, MON

It had to happen. The language of the Black American Ghetto has come to South Africa. Some Black people now feel "disrespected", according to reports emanating from Durban. We are all going to have to learn what that means. First to meet the challenge will be Engen, Sapref and Mondi who all have plants in the Wentworth area south of Durban and -- thanks to incredibly stupid town planning -- a large amount of sub-economic housing on their doorsteps, complete with occupants who are only too willing to be cannon fodder for the environmental lobby. The latest gambit by this lobby is an attempt to mount a class action against Engen, Sapref and Mondi. No doubt this will accuse these companies of wilfully polluting the atmosphere and causing all manner of illnesses among their neighbours. In the process the coffers of the environmentalists will no doubt swell most satisfyingly -- if not during, certainly after, a successful suit. Spigot is not sure of the history of Mondi in this area but he is aware of Engen's and Sapref's. In both cases their plants were put up at a time when all around was swamp -- not a sub-economic council house in sight. Not a school, not a crèche; nothing. It was thanks to the "liberal" Durban City Council, that the next 40 years was spent packing in council housing. Do the neighbours of Sapref, Engen and Mondi complain to the Council? Do they hell, the Council is not nearly as rich. Leaders of the pack in the attacks on the three companies are known to Spigot as former residents of the area. Spigot wonders if they still do.