Again, I’m not justifying crime and so many innocent people have been affected by horrific crime over the last 26 years. If my parents’ house was broken into and my mother was murdered in cold blood, there would be much you could say to me either to listen and be patient.
But again, I’m just trying to get to the root cause of why we are so broken as a nation. And that’s when I’m reminded, hurt people are the ones that hurt other people. Say what you like, but there’s no getting away from that.
2. WHEN WILL THE ANC BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE?
This country has no genuine leadership. The ANC will do anything and everything but take responsibility or do the work needed. Imagine the ANC tackled crime and unemployment the same way they tackled COVID, or banning alcohol, golf and hair dressing salons? But of course, that’s not their style. They are much more focused on another type of investment.
Herman Mashaba wrote something the other day that really resonated with me:
“I see Jessie Duarte says the economy still in the hands of those who controlled it before democracy. Let us really be honest with ourselves. Who has been running this government for 26 years?
Since 1994 your focus has been looting the public purse, not serving society. Please, do not insult us!
The bottom line: if the ANC had put as much energy into uplifting black South Africans as they’ve put into looting the public purse, our society wouldn’t be the MOST UNEQUAL in the world 26 years into democracy.
The ANC had an opportunity in 1994, but decided to serve their stomach, not the people.”
If you read the spirit in which I’ve written this article, then you will hear me when I say, this isn’t a colour thing. This is me pointing to the facts. The ANC are completely complicit in this mess.
THERE IS NO SILVER BULLET
Even I am not so presumptuous to think I have all the answers. But I do understand two very simple principles:
1. If we can’t even get to the point that we understand what the issues are, we will never be able to fix things.
2. The only hope we have of healing this nation, and making South Africa a great nation, is if the average person on the street listens more, and does what they can to help people move forward.
There are so many good people in this country who are doing their best to grow South Africa on every level. We would do well to direct our energy toward these people, and join in on their efforts.
In a way, it could be growth by a thousand empathetic actions. Or it will be death by a thousand cuts. I know where I’m focusing my energy. Do you?