The virtues of respect

THE unfortunate comments made by EFF leader Julius Malema against Indians, while on his KZN campaign trail, warrants a response. Let me try to lay out the main path of argument, which is rather lost amid his digressions and verbiage.

A common feature of postapartheid South Africa is that all race groups display racial arrogance; we have, in the process, forgotten the virtues of respect. It was Laurence Stone who said respect for ourselves guides our morals, respect for others guides our manners.

If we could look into each other’s hearts and understand the unique challenges each of us faces, we would treat each other more gently with more love, more patience, tolerance and care. Respect is a universal language. It is a fundamental human right. Each human being deserves respect and also deserves to be treated with dignity.

Each human being has value and this is why respect is to be extended to everyone. Our human worth is not defined by money or status; it is something within us, it is what makes us human. In a rainbow democracy, like ours, the most highly prized qualities are honesty, respect and tolerance.

Respect is a basic moral value, a need which makes us aware that we are human beings, not modern-day slaves to be pulverised into submission.

Respect is a way of communication which builds unshakeable bonds between people respecting each others dignity. Our hard-won democracy has respect as the cornerstone of our daily interaction with our fellow beings.

Disrespect is actually moral degradation.

FAROUK ARAIE

Benoni