Here is a thought: Are we truly proud of our country?

This exercise regime is partly motivated by the need to remain sort of physically mobile, considering the high rate of obesity in our country, but mostly it is about getting my small boy out of the house before he drives everyone crazy.

After all, he loves the outing, as we stroll as a family through the neighborhood on our way to the shopping centre.

Sadly, such a ‘hike’ also reminds us of the state of our country, since in doesn’t matter where you turn or what road you navigate, all properties basically reflect one message – fear.

Almost all homes you pass now sport high walls, electric fencing, a sign that alerts the intruder that a security company is on call, and yes, there is hardly a yard without an array of dogs to keep the foe at bay.

These are the times we live in – enclosed, locked away, paranoid and suspicious.

In was during one of these walks that we stumbled upon staff members from a local real estate company picking up litter in the street.

With curious intent we enquired of their noble intent, and were duly informed that as a company they make such an effort once a month to clean up different parts of town, simply because you have to be proud of where you work and stay.

I agreed with them wholeheartedly, exhorted them to continue their good work and so as we hit the road again I was left to ponder such pure motivation for getting down and dirty.

And so I have kept wondering, are we truly proud of our country?

This is a question I would love to put personally to our President.

After all, it seems our President and the ANC executive have missed the point regarding the nation’s outcry following the Constitutional Court’s judgment that Zuma’s Nkandla spending was in essence a violation of the Constitution.

The executive came out blazing in defence of the President, talking about how people make mistakes and that the President never violated the oath of his office.

Our President himself declared that he always intended to pay back the money. And yes, we are all aliens from a distant planet.

But the point is, Mr President, this is not about making mistakes, because someone who is found violating the Constitution (especially someone who sits in the highest position of office) speaks of someone who does not take pride in our nation.

It was in fact a shameful act that has cast a horrid shadow over this country. This is not even really a matter of legality, but of shame for the image of this floundering Rainbow Nation that has again been tarnished.

But then again, we do remember Mr President you have admitted to putting the ANC above the country, so a violation of the Constitution should not be a surprise, as neither is the fact it seems you remain unmoved by your actions.

Former Finance Minister Trevor Manuel has lambasted the President, calling on him to resign, since it is clear such a violation is not good for business, and certainly not for our economy.

Again I have to ask, where is our pride in this nation?

While we take our walks, it is also shocking to see the litter thrown in the streets, even though there are bins on the street corners.

Let me spell this out. If you dirty a street intentionally, you then have no pride in your town or your country.

Someone who is proud of their land will do everything in their power to defend the beauty, the nobility, the integrity and the honour of such a nation.

And yes, talking about littering, double shame on the Pikitup strikers. Sure, we understand you are fighting for better wages, but leaving a city like Johannesburg in ruin speaks of absolutely no pride in this land.

To every criminal who continues to loot, rob, steal, victimise, murder and rape, you have no pride in this country. Yes we understand the issues of poverty, but blame it on the government running this country the last 22 years.

The fact is, every person in this country who deals in drugs, who buys drugs, who engages in criminal activity, who abuses women and children and who loots the coffers, and who destroys the environment, has no pride in our land because they do not respect the rights of its citizens, especially the right to life.

And I’m definitely talking to all the students who keep on protesting on the campuses. Your point has been made, the government has taken note, the tertiary institutions have taken note, so show some respect to those who want to study and to help move this country forward.

If you don’t like it, then leave this country and stop tarnishing the image of this land. While you do so, take everyone with who has no real intention of making a positive difference or impact.

It is just a shame that the people who are leaving the country are mostly the ones who have tried to make it work and who have tried to proudly hold on to their heritage, but due to the actions of the disrespectful have had to pack their bags.

I salute those who truly do the right thing of upholding the law, the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and who show true respect and sincerity towards all citizens, because you make this country great and give the country a future.

For the rest it is time to think about your actions, of your disrespect and arrogance of mocking this land, because a noble South Africa cannot be built while the lawless and the unruly and the unjust rule.