The Transnet National Ports Authority has issued a Request for Proposals for the appointment of a terminal operator to fund, design, develop, construct, operate, maintain and eventually transfer a liquid bulk terminal at the Port of Ngqura, for a concession period of 25 years.
Now – we have heard this song too numerous times before and frankly I gave up after the last time I attended a sod turning at Coega for the ‘new’ tank farm. At the time the then Port of Port Elizabeth Port Manager – Rajesh Dhana told me in his most convincing tone; “IT is really happening this time, Alan!” Well, nearly 10 years later we are still waiting for IT to happen.
So, I have to confess that the wrong version of an oft quoted line from Casablanca screams commonality with Transnet – Play it Again, Sam.
Contrary to common belief nobody in the film ever says “Play it again, Sam”. Sam sings and Rick (Humphrey Bogart) comes storming out, livid that his piano player had disobeyed his instruction never to play that song again – only to find himself face to face with Ilsa for the first time since he left France. This, after Ilsa (Ingrid Bergman) was the one to say “Play it, Sam”.
And the song that Sam played to elicits the line “Play it, Sam” was “As Time Goes By”. This song is a jazz standard written by Herman Hupfeld. The request to play it comes after Ilsa recognizes Sam, the piano player, who was also in Paris with her and Rick. She asks him to play it “for old times’ sake”.
Unfortunately for Transnet they have played the “Removing The Tank Farm” song far too often expecting the great re-awakening of a love story between Transnet and the citizens of Gqeberha.
Just like the little boy who cried ‘Wolf’ – you are on your own, Transnet, we are tired of your empty lies and promises.
