Two beacons in sea of despair

It can sometimes seem as though we are drowning in a tsunami of state capture, corruption and abuse of taxpayers’ money. Nothing seems to be happening, no one is ever brought to book and we feel powerless and angry. Yet, even in the darkest moments of despair about the future, there are glimmers of light and hope.

This week, we reported on the efforts of two valiant organisations or groups, who have stood up and said: “No! Not in our name!”

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has vowed to continue doing its own investigations into corruption, not only to provide law enforcement authorities with ammunition against criminals, but also with a view to bringing legal action against the bad apples.

Outa sprang from a general anger in society – at first in Gauteng – over the ill thought-out and ruinously inefficient highway e-tolling system which has imposed extra financial burdens on a middle class struggling to keep its head above water.

Now, it is moving deeply into the political arena, even going as far as laying treason charges against government ministers accused of being embroiled in Gupta-led state capture.

Despite the odds against them, the brave people on the board of the Passenger Rail Agency of South Africa (Prasa) have vowed to continue fighting their own system, and Minister of Transport Joe Maswanganyi, to force the authorities to investigate corruption in the Swifambo railway locomotive deal.

They are determined to continue their legal fight even after they officially come to the end of their term in office next week.

While South Africa has private entities like Outa and ethical oversight bodies like the Prasa board, we see hope that we will not become a failed state.

We need more unselfish people like them to help us make the country the place we want for our children and grandchildren.