Self-interest and hate-mongering

It is a pity that political contestation, not only at election time, has degraded into self-serving interests and hate-mongering.

Public authorities — Parliament, provincial legislatures and local authoritie — in a democratic society are basically intended to give broad representation to chosen representatives of the public to serve the intersts of all sections of the public, not the self-interests of the chosen few.

The interests of the broad public are also not being served by negative and hateful attitudes towards those who represent other views. If, in elections (as is fair), contestation has as its root the seeking of opportunity to get majority support from the voters then surely the spreading of goodwill is more likely to impress the voters, rather than belittling one’s opponents. If you want to overwhelm your opponents, then overwhelm them with friendliness.

To improve the wellbeing of society one needs to “increase the size of the cake” and not take, rob or steal from the haves to redistribute to unproductive “have-nots”. Those who have, invariably earned what they have and they provide employment, skills and opportunities to those of the “have-nots” who are willing and able to learn through experience.

There needs to be a positive balance between population growth and economic productivity. There cannot be sufficient growth if there are more people who are dependent on grants than people who labour productively.

South Africa has had 30 years of opportunity to build, but factionalism, self-interest and jealousy have hindered rather than developed.

What SA needs is action to build. “By their fruits ye shall know them.” Promises and good intentions, by themselves, are totally insufficient.

V. A. VOLKER Pietermaritzburg