THE ARTICLE by Lerato Tshepang Nkabane, “Let us all harness our resources and make SA great” (Business Report, October 27) refers.
I really admire her enthusiasm and positivity about a future South Africa. If young people fail to see a “new” new South Africa, then what hope is there?
You are the future leaders of South Africa and need to have a vision. But as you say, that vision needs to be shared with all ages; we all bring different aspects, usefulness and wisdom to the debate. So I hope that you will allow a “golden oldie” with political experience overseas to comment, but who has worked voluntarily here since 2002 among marginalised people.
I had recently been musing as to what “movement” was needed in South Africa to facilitate change and your idea of a “Movement for the Integrated Advancement of South Africa” resonates well with my thoughts. The question is “how should it be brought about?” So I make the following points for you to consider:
n Embrace humility. The best leaders are humble people not suffering from overweening arrogance. Humility is not a sign of weakness but a sign of strength. It means that you are willing to learn and we all need to do that.
n Base your plans on “bottom up” and not “top down”. Unfortunately one of the problems in South Africa is a political history and current politics based on a controlling, imposing and a “power based’’ approach that brings with it much arrogance.
n You rightly mention the strong collective responsibility thinking of the main body of South Africans. But remember that South African ethnicity is quite complex and diverse and I would include in that the different black African groupings.
n The “bottom up” approach addresses the collective understanding through shifting the ethos, resources and support of government to the development of communities and taking the decision making down to the lowest level possible.
n Social cohesion is important. That is part of your “integrated advancement”, but it must start from the “bottom up” – as social cohesion comes to communities, it will spill over into cities and eventually the nation.
n Forget about the global economy. The global economy is in a mess anyway, so rather get it right at the grassroots and all else will follow.
n Make rural living an attractive option; Africans’ roots are in rural communities and development of a sustainable vibrant rural economy and community lifestyle is vital rather than the reality of people coming to cities for nothing but poverty.
n Encourage creative “out of the box” lateral thinking rather than an historic tunnel-visioned approach, so that one looks at the overall impact of proposed decisions and thus makes wiser decisions.
It is really a case of turning South Africa “on its head”. There may be a few headaches initially, but eventually it will land on its feet in a better situation than ever before.
Margaret Ferguson
Kirstenhof
Lerato, as politician you have my vote
What a joy it was to read the refreshing and objective article by Lerato Tshepang Nkabane. She is so correct in what she writes.
The ANC made a serious mistake in those early years, post-1994, by pushing tertiary (university) education on to the so called previously disadvantaged, as if this was the great and instant panacea to solve all of South Africa’s problems. The thrust should have been to improve and consolidate education at primary school level so that by this time the whole country would have benefited from a sound grounding in basic education, given to all pupils. From all accounts just the opposite has occurred, primary education is in bad shape.
People have lost faith in the legal system. Vandalism and destruction of public amenities is increasing. Crime is rampant.
Recently, some areas had no water for two or three weeks, with hardly a constructive comment from those in authority.
The time is certainly ripe for new people to “hold their hands up” and to take South Africa forward. To speak out about corruption and remove arrogance and incompetence from the civil service.
Perhaps Lerato is such a person. If she goes into politics, she will have my vote.
Sadly, the vision of Madiba lies in tatters and it appears that those of the ANC inner circle are more keen to fill their pockets than give serious attention to matters of State. Take a stand Lerato, but keep your feet on the ground and maybe you will achieve great things.
Kevin Meineke
HOUT BAY