Rounding off to the nearest zero

The 2009 Elections campaign has brought with it a new mathematical phenomenon. Rounding off to zero. Unlike the conventional maths where you round off to the nearest 10th, 100th and so on; this is a forced round off to zero. Whatever number you come across, you round it off to zero.

In basic arithmetic, zero almost always represent nothing. Even though the same might not always be the case when it comes to computer programming. But the focus here is on mathematics/arithmetic.

If you were to ask some of the members of the opposition parties whether the ANC government has done anything in the past 15 years, you will note the application of rounding off to zero (ROTZ).

See this example of a conversation a curious person may have with an opposition party member;
Curious Person: Hi, has the ANC government done anything for the people of South Africa
Opposition Party Member: No. The ANC has done nothing.
CP: Has the ANC government built any spaceships?
OPM: They have done absolutely nothing.
CP: Do you know that the ANC government has built more than 2.7 million houses [fact]?
OPM: They have failed to do anything in 15 years.
CP: Do you know that the ANC government has reduced poverty by increasing the number of people receiving social grants from 3 million in 1996 to 12.5 million in 2008 [fact]?
OPM: The ANC government has done nothing for me.
CP: Is the President of the ANC Jacob Zuma mortal?
OPM: He has a cloud over his head that makes him immortal?
CP: Did the ANC fight for the freedom of speech that you now enjoy today [fact]?
OPM: The ANC is just a bunch of thugs who should not be government.

As clearly demonstrated by this conversation, members of the opposition parties treat both the things that the ANC has done and those that it has not done the same way. Indeed the ANC has not built any spaceships yet, but it has built more than 2.7 million houses.

Opposition parties are defying mathematics as we know it. To them 2.7 million is easily rounded off to zero and 12.5 million is also rounded off to zero.

Let us hope that once the elections are over, members of the opposition parties will return back to correct arithmetics.

As for those who hate statistics, try to speak to your grandmother or any older person. Ask them if there is anything different between today and 15 years ago. Perhaps you were young at the time and so you have to rely on them because they observed on your behalf. They will tell you the truth, even if you may disagree with it.

There are still people without houses, water, electricity, sanitation and other basic needs. The ANC recognises this reality, that is why they say "Working together we can do more." This work started 15 years ago and it has to continue. Vote ANC.

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