Graft, crime and abuse show need for moral and spiritual regeneration
AT NO TIME since the inception of the democratic constitutional dispensation in 1994 has there been a greater need for moral and spiritual regeneration than the present time.
The 10 years of the Zuma presidency were characterised by endemic corruption and serious maladministration in virtually all aspects of government, national, provincial and local.
Although many commentators are of the opinion that the election of Cyril Ramaphosa could be a gamechanger for the better, there is at present an urgent need for a fundamental moral and spiritual regeneration to give expression to the legacy of Nelson Mandela in this year that we celebrate the 100th anniversary of his birth.
There are many reasons for the need for this regeneration. One of the most important is the escalating incidence of serious violent crime.
Criminals in our country brutally maim and murder their victims. This reflects a motivation to not just benefit materially from the proceeds of their criminal deeds, but to satisfy the inclination to inflict physical harm on victims.
Although there are many dedicated and competent police officers, the SAPS are finding it difficult to maintain basic law and order in a society which behaves in a lawless and totally undisciplined manner, with little or no respect for the law and the rights of other people. This is particularly noticeable on the roads, where a wholesale slaughter is occurring, caused by reckless and very dangerous driving.
The abuse and violation of the rights of women that have come to light in this month dedicated to women is a cause for profound shame. The same applies to the maltreatment and abuse of children. A fundamental change is required in the mindsets of our people.
Corruption both in the public and private sectors has escalated to the extent that it has virtually become endemic, with devastating consequences for our society. There appears to be, in the words of Shakespeare, “something rotten in the state of Denmark”, and a fundamental change in attitude and conduct has become imperative. It is also for this reason we urgently require moral and spiritual rejuvenation.
This should be promoted not only by the government, but by the institutions of civil society and the faith-based religious bodies.
The content of this morality is reflected in the great Western cannon and Christian faith, but is equally reflected in the other great religious faiths, such as Islam, Judaism, Buddhism and Hinduism, all of which have a common basic philosophy of morality involving caring and compassion for people, particularly the poor and the marginalised.
It is also reflected in the values found in section 1 of the constitution, found wanting during the Zuma administration in both the government and some corporate spheres. This is strikingly epitomised by the Nkandla and Gupta debacles. As a result, our country and its people have suffered inordinately.
We have not made the progress we should have in tackling the problems of poverty, inequality and homelessness. As a result, violent service delivery protests have become the order of the day. Although violence cannot be condoned, this is an indication that the ordinary people in South Africa have become disgruntled and intensely frustrated.
What is so urgently needed is moral regeneration at every level of our society. There is probably unanimity among influential political, religious and civil society leaders concerning the urgent need for this.
More is, however, required than mere words – action is required from both the government and the private sector. It is submitted that some kind of moral regeneration summit is urgently necessary in order to formulate a plan of action by leaders in both the government and private sector.
When the ANC came to power in 1994, and during the period of Mandela’s presidency, the ANC occupied the moral high ground.
The ANC has an illustrious history of more than 100 years and has been led by people of great moral integrity such as Albert Luthuli, Oliver Tambo and Mandela.
The Mandela presidency, although short-lived, was indeed a golden age. Mandela bequeathed to us an inestimable legacy of moral integrity and selfless service, which unfortunately has been squandered.
It is not sufficient for South Africans as a nation to bemoan our situation; it is for this reason that moral regeneration is essential in both the private and public sectors. Action needs to be taken and our political, religious, economic and moral leaders must take an unequivocal stand, come together and formulate a dynamic and comprehensive plan of action involving a serious discourse on moral regeneration, both secular and spiritual, and if necessary a code reflecting this.
This is a challenge that we are presented with as a nation. We can also make our voices heard at the ballot box in the elections next year.
South Africans, having created an authentic democratic system of government premised on the values of equality and liberty for all, at a sublimely great cost, need to deepen it and extend its benefits to all the people of this land.
Further, it needs by example to be promoted and defended against the predation of those in the new body politic, the corporate world and the public service who prove to be corrupt, unscrupulous, uncaring and avaricious. Moral and spiritual regeneration is essential.