A different South Africa

How does a nation turn from its evil ways? Is it possible for an almost absolute corrupt country to change into a moral example of citizenry? I have witnessed firsthand the possibility of change and I have seen its inner workings. Once this machine of change finds momentum it is almost impossible to stop. I have recently visited Rwanda. In 1994 its Hutu population attempted to wipe out the Tutsis. Widespread hatred, classification, an air of superiority and a nation brainwashed led to an unforgivable massacre. So it was only natural for me to assume that my arrival in Rwanda will be filled with vivid images of a country still seeped in war-aftermath. To my surprise I entered a country void of civil strife. Its streets are clean and its people friendly. Though I could clearly see different races, there was no trace of classifying someone as Hutu or Tutsi. I was told of a story where a mother lost three children during the genocide only to forgive the perpetrators who are now her friends and protectors. As far as I could see, people live in harmony with a unifying goal of uplifting their country. The government has strong leaders having nothing of a corrupt culture and promoting good work ethic. The country has opened itself for foreign influence and is humble enough to accept skills transfers from anyone willing to offer it. It is the first time that I have experienced a nation happy with its leadership. Many explain this phenomenon as a miracle that only God could have performed. In fact, the country seems to build its image around Christian doctrines. I cannot help but to try and determine why and how people are able to just forgive one another and move on in the pursuit of progress.

I contrast this with my observations about South Africa. In 1994 it had its first free and fair democratic elections. It had a Truth and Reconciliation Commission that seemed to have failed. Instead of promoting a culture of forgiveness it promoted a culture of retaliation in the form of affirmative action, restitution and redistribution. Instead of using the existing resources to teach and promote equality it sought to replace it by ineffective systems like lowering school standards and replacing labour that could have contributed to building a better country. Instead of electing capable leaders it decided to elect corrupt politicians and lazy parliamentarians. Of course it is unfair to label all of South African politicians like this, but this is definitely the view of the majority of South African's. Uneducated leaders often make poor policy decisions that benefit only a minority while impoverishing the majority. We observe and read about politicians granting favours to some people, throwing lavish parties, increasing their wages by preposterous amounts that are not linked to productivity. We see them build empires or little villages and giving tenders to friends and family members, we observe how they escape the hands of justice and accept money from people with hidden motives. If its leadership lacks moral fibre it comes as no surprise that the people will follow in similar vain. I observed personally how people get mugged on the street; no one has the courage to intervene. Police officials are too fat and scared to engage and are "obviously" too lazy to help. The country is in dire straits silencing those who want to make a change.

We have created a culture of laziness, corruption and worst of all - entitlement. South African's are angry and have not yet forgiven each other. There is an air of hatred and revenge instead of a spirit of forgiveness. Has justice not been served? Do more people need to suffer for the wish of revenge to dissipate? Does South Africa need to enter a period of absolute chaos before they pull themselves together?

The solutions to our problems are simple and implementable. If a country like Rwanda improving then there is no reason why we can't do it also. Let us use the constitution as a starting point and follow suit with implementable changes. I propose something simple like this:

• Be strict and disciplined. Do not tolerate things that unsettle society. Be harsh on criminal offences. The frequency and the degree of crime is proportional to the penalty on disobedience. Communicate effectively the punishment for theft, murder, rape and corruption. Ensure that sentences are passed on fairly and do not pardon an act of crime but forgive the criminal. Punish hate speeches or dehumanising words and acts. Make sure that people who classify others are punished and fine people for littering  
• Welcome help. Do not sideline a group of people who have valuable skills to offer that are much needed to build this country. Do not alienate skilful people for they can easily be put to use in other countries that welcome them - this constitutes as a forgone opportunity. Do not make it difficult for skilled people from abroad to enter South Africa. There is so much we can learn from each other - we just need to be humble enough to accept it
• Create a sense of community. Take care of your resources and your environment together. Clean the streets and encourage a culture of cleanliness. Take pride about the things that you have instead of envying things that you do not have. Rebuild, or simply build each other up by being involved in community projects and various community outreaches
• Stop looking into the past. While we should never forget the past, we should learn from the past. If things do not work simply change them. Stop hoping for good change to come automatically and stop blaming events of the past for current failures. Accept the failures and address them immediately in the most effective and efficient manner
• Have a unified purpose in mind. Have an overarching theme for the country - something that is inclusive of every person and something that creates purpose and self-worth. Be sure that everyone understands and is educated in these goals and emphasise the responsibility of everyone to ensure the success of these things

If only we were to follow Christ's example of servitude, love, forgiveness and a sense of justice we would be able to overcome these stumbling blocks. We cannot do this as mere individuals. We need to hold hands and focus our hearts on Christ.