SA Parliament home to German brands

The big three Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz are the usual suspects parked outside the National Assembly in Cape Town

ROBERT MABUSELA

The image of the state is very important, it also should be maintained and improved, without price tags presentation is key. Members of Parliament or should I say the “Big Spenders” are those who have no choice but to hold up the image of the state.

I had the opportunity to observe some of the ways big spenders represent our country through their individual images, from tailor made suites, watches and most importantly their vehicles. Parked outside the South African National Assembly in the city of Cape Town, one witnessed what taste Members of Parliament have when coming to the cars they drive. The South African Parliament is invaded with German executive sedans and various other vehicles that may be spotted in blue light convoys.

Yet again Audi, BMW and Mercedes Benz are the brands of choice, parked right before the first step leading into the National Assembly were an Audi Q7, BMW X5 and Mercedes Benz ML. This is when I knew that the big spenders mean business, opposite the entrance were three other executive saloons parked but this time with the absence of one from the German big three. The executive saloons that were parked were Audi’s A6, a BMW 5 series and Toyota`s luxurious Lexus IS 460, which invaded the German territory. After seeing this I notice the competition there isn`t  just at the parliament parking, which arguably maybe similar to parking lots around top business empires around South Africa. 

Members of Parliament and various other Political figures may be the same but seeing a Lexus parked amongst the “Big three” posed a question if they all are big spenders?.

Maintaining the image of the state is important and although it is not mentioned in their contracts but it is part and parcel of the Political scene. The Parliamentary motoring scene is interesting and shows us which brands are most preferred by the members of the state.

If you ever get a chance to become a Member of Parliament make sure you go big, buy within the big three but never rule out the “under dogs” which are looking to break into the parliament parking. 

German Territory, from this view only one out of the nine vehicles parked outside the National Assembly is not a German Brand.