South Africa needs a new type of leadership

THE State of Disaster has just recently been lifted. But the battle scars of Covid-19 continue to linger.

The uncertainty of our economy, the increasing crime rate, the marathon corruption trails, the gap between the rich and the poor that is steadily climbing, and the grave levels of unemployment are still our reality and our struggle.

It is quite obvious that there is a desperate need for a different type of leadership. A leadership that speaks truth to power, a leadership that is unhindered by the traps of bureaucratic processes, a leadership that does not owe kickbacks, a leadership that serves without fear or promise of reward.

As South Africans we find ourselves at a crossroads, a moment of uncertainty, and we deserve better.

The words of Charles Dickens in A Tale of Two Cities ring true: “It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”

Jesus Christ riding on a donkey into Jerusalem on that first Palm Sunday I believe introduced a different type of leadership.

A leadership of humility, transparency, purpose, sacrifice but most of all, a leadership of genuine love. The Bible teaches in John 15v13 that greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. The example of Jesus Christ furthermore teaches humanity a very important lesson in dealing with adversity.

We live in an age where the propensity towards violence has become second nature.

Christ, in facing the road of persecution and death, kept his composure, held his nerve, and walked to the cross with absolute dignity.

In fact, the scripture says he did not say a word. The world has been conditioned in recent times to react violently to situations and times of trial.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that. The time is always right to do what is right,” according to Martin Luther King jr.

Remember and give thanks for the sacrifice and teaching of Jesus Christ on this cross of Calvary. The time to do what is right is now.

Let us love authenticity, let us love without the desire for compensation, let us love until it hurts.

REV STEVEN-JOHN BAM | Southfield