by Pauline ETIENNE

Unless they are held at home, between relatives or friends, it seems that Mauritians do not like debating. While important issues are at stake in the country, a feeling of general indifference is conveyed. If we, Mauritians, do not feel that our personal benefits or daily customs are jeopardised, there is no reaction on our part. Or if there is, we would more easily choose to take to the streets to voice out our distress or anger than engage serious discussions with all those concerned or any other person that could help find a solution with a specific expertise.

How many serious debates have you seen on television while the protests against SC/HSC fees were raging outside? How many discussions have you heard about the planters of Riche-Terre? Politicians are everywhere to defend their bit but no mere citizen would come ahead with suggestions that could help solve a delicate situation? while there must be so many who have things to say!

The problem may actually be that they have no platform to speak their minds. They can?t rely on the Mauritius Broadcasting Corporation (MBC) to organise such debates, as they do not even dare do it during electoral campaigns. But I am sure they could find a way if they really wanted to.

I was quite relieved yesterday when I heard JEC leaders have a go at the government. They do not want to start any controversy with the government but, as people who hold the future of Mauritius dear in their hearts, they would like to see the major reforms announced implemented. I had thought that such people no longer existed in Mauritius.

And yet, all of them ? or almost ? will go to the polls in three years? time and will either congratulate the government or punish it for its actions during the five years it was in power. Abstention rate is usually very low in Mauritius and that speaks well of our democracy. But it must also mean that voters have an opinion and have built it through the years. The problem is that they do not bother to express it between two elections.

I do not really know how to interpret such indifference. Would it be that Mauritians start to be blasé by what?s happening in the country and they do not believe in a better future anymore? Or that some do not dare speak their minds in case they might get a special treatment from one party or another before the next general elections? I really don?t know what leads Mauritians to stay so far from forums of discussion but I know that Mauritius desperately needs serious people to help it face challenges!