MBOMBELA – It is up to ordinary citizens to engage in order to fix the mess the country is in. This was the message Dr Mathews Phosa delivered during a speech at Orhovelani High School’s reunion in Thulamahashe last Saturday.
His address was titled “Leading and socially responsibly citizenship for genuine social justice”. He said the country was at one of the lowest points in its history.
“What do you say to alumni, to people who, since 1953, looked forward with such hope and who sacrificed so much for our freedom. People who are flourishing, only to be confronted today with the reality that somehow, somewhere, our dream of an exciting new future has evaporated?”
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He said ordinary citizens should look to the future. “We could make a proactive contribution to our own communities and to fixing the current mess that we are in, so that our children and grandchildren cannot, and will not, turn around and say: ‘South Africa expired on your watch’.” Phosa, who was a part of the team that negotiated South Africa’s Constitution and transition to democracy, added that leadership and citizenry served themselves before their country.
“It really breaks my heart to know and to see that it is some of our own leadership and some of our own citizens, from the very top to the very bottom of society, who today, are dragging The Constitution though the mud, making a mockery of those comrades who fought – and died – for.
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“Your own personal agendas cannot be allowed to get in the way, because if they do, you will fail yourself and the people and country you serve. And I think we have seen way too much of that in recent years.
“Do we have the South Africa we envisioned? No! We still have a road to travel. Can we honestly call ourselves ethical leaders and citizens? Will those who come after us call us giants, or will we be remembered as the ones who got onto the gravy train to ‘eat’ until there was no ‘food’ left for our children and our grandchildren?
“Will we be the ones who are remembered for bringing the movement to its knees, for state capture and for defying The Constitution, not to mention the courts whose duty it is to uphold and protect it?”
He said South Africa suffered a spiritual malaise. “I’m sure we are all feeling a little sad and embarrassed. Where did we go wrong? Our nation seems to have lost its soul and purpose. How can it be that violence triumphs over human rights, that greed smothers generosity, and that ubuntu is trampled on by a culture of individual acquisition and exploitation of ones neighbours?
“How is it possible that we think it is okay to burn down so many schools or university buildings because we are angry? Where is the discipline and self control that brought us our freedom? What makes it so impossible for us to accept accountability and responsibility for what we do? Why the unrealistic sense of entitlement?
“How is it possible that we who won our freedom at such a great cost, now expect everything to be given to us on a plate when we have not demonstrated any evidence of the responsible citizenship that is required to generate those very fruits that are being demanded?” Phosa added that people had good reason to feel powerless.
“They have a desperate need to see justice being done, a desperate desire to see clean, ethical government and governance. Many have sunk deeply into apathy and disengagement, donned the mantle of ‘learned helplessness’, or on the other end of the scale – react violently to every perceived injustice. They cannot by any stretch of imagination, be called responsible, engaged citizens.”
He concluded that progress occurred when courageous, skillful leaders – and citizens – seize the opportunity to change things. “What kind of legacy will we leave? Do we have the courage to change the status quo? I truly hope so. But, the choice is ours.”
