Spot-on Trevor!

NATIONAL Planning Minister Trevor Manuel hit the nail on the head when he stressed the importance of active citizenship.

Speaking at the 5th anniversary of crime-fighting NGO Crime Line on Tuesday, he said one of society’s greatest evils – drug abuse – needed to be tackled through active citizenship.

Of concern was not the mere consumption of the substances – which he described aptly as a “chemical warfare” – but the destruction of families. This warfare denies citizens a better life.

It’s not the first time Manuel has called for citizens to find solutions to their problems. But he would do well to elaborate how he envisages citizenship could work under the current dispensation where people think the only form of activism that works is to burn tyres and libraries.

Manuel should have added that what stands between South Africans and a better life is the failure of citizens to develop a constructive engagement process with governing authorities on a range of matters – drug abuse, government failures, payment of taxes and others.

It is our humble opinion that active citizenship should consist of three key areas. Firstly, individual responsibility of citizens to their own wellbeing. Secondly, their responsibility towards their families, communities and country. Thirdly, their duty to the state.

It’s about time the government launched a huge campaign on this, instead of clinging to the notion that it can do everything for citizens, including taking away the injections and pills through which they wage chemical warfare against themselves and their communities.