As we come to the end of 2019, let us reflect on the year, but not for too long because it may not be good for your health.
Let us again ponder what President Cyril Ramaphosa said at the State of the Nation address at the beginning of the year.
He said: “We will celebrate the triumph of freedom over subjugation, the triumph of democracy over racial tyranny, the triumph of hope over despair.”
For those who listened to the address, right from the start one was almost filled with a sense of hope and a rousing triumph that we can overcome the calamity of our economy and we can overcome the dark tides of corruption.
Around page 24 or so of the speech, the president mentions the following: “But we will not surrender to the forces of pessimism and defeatism.”
For a brief moment we enjoyed our flights of fantasy, also keeping in mind that Ramaphosa is no Churchill or an Obama. Since the president’s rousing speech, sadly not much has changed to turn the tide.
Pessimism and defeatism still hammer at the gates like a horde of barbarians.
No one has been imprisoned for corruption, while the latest report shows that 20 of the 28 state-owned enterprises are presenting utterly shocking plummeting financials.
This, of course, includes Eskom, which still cannot keep the lights on.
Apparently, our Defence Force is also out of money. Don’t you just feel safe?
So, Mr President, I’m sure we want to continue to fight with growing confidence, not surrendering to the forces of defeatism, but really, times are just getting tougher.
South Africa is falling deeper into the mire of pessimism, simply because of bad management, greed and the lust for power.
Of late, the #ImStaying (without the apostrophe, which can drive a person who loves correct grammar nuts) campaign was created to encourage, motivate and add hope to the lives of all South Africans.
The group is on social media and it has gathered a huge following.
Such campaigns are great, as people are clearly desperately trying to find the silver lining in the stormy clouds, defying the forces of pessimism and defeatism. Yet, is it changing anything? Or are people grasping at straws to escape the quicksand?
So join the group if you wish; but remember to keep an eye on your lawn for those who believe crime is a real career choice.
Granted we all need a Braveheart moment of inspiration, but more than ever we need the government to come up with sustainable answers to boost the economy and create jobs.
In the famous Braveheart scene, William Wallace, the rebel Scottish knight, yells to his men (who look so courageous but who were probably scared to death) who would face the English that the enemy may take their lives but not their freedom.
Ignoring the fact that Wallace was eventually hanged, drawn and quartered for high treason against English civilians, and that today Scotland is only an autonomous region of the United Kingdom, it was, however, still a great speech.
And please, I am not promoting colonialism, I am simply saying that most of those Scots who fought with Wallace never tasted freedom. Only defeat, so go figure.
In South Africa, as we celebrate winning the Rugby World Cup, I believe there are those who are still willing to stare defeatism in the eye and cry, “You shall not take my freedom!”
Yes, such momentous moments of triumph, as seen in Japan, are necessary to survive in the south of Africa, and at times it does bolster our resolve to wave the #ImStaying flag even as taxis, for the umpteenth time, break every traffic rule.
But, Mr President, the time has arrived for real hope. No more talk. No more promises. We need concrete evidence that the economy will turn around, and that jobs will be created. That corruption will be dealt with, and that we can all enjoy some good service delivery from the government.
We do not want to die for our freedom or follow a man with a kilt on a horse; we just need a government that will do its job to provide a better future for all.
The people voted for this government, so let the government make sure its people will want to stay, instead of running for the hills.
Yes, Mr President, we shall guard against pessimism, but then we need to know, somehow, that defeat is not inevitable. For then, we shall not go quietly into the night, even when the power goes out.
