Renewed allegiance to SA can help turn situation around
After all, at the heart of corruption and state capture is an unpatriotic predatory faction
“THE FIRST principle of unalienable rights recognises that everyone is naturally endowed by their Creator with certain rights that cannot be infringed or given away. Amongst these rights are life, liberty and pursuit of happiness,” (The Qualities of a Good Politician in a Democratic Society).
To safeguard these rights, governments have democratic constitutions that are presided over by elected representatives called politicians. They are supposed to be honest, elected representatives who are required to influence public policy and decision making in the government in order to improve their constituencies and the welfare of the populace. They must capture the essence of patriotism in order to provide sound leadership that gives hope to every citizen.
The revelations at the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into State Capture about scandals and corruption have made everybody think about the politicians’ understanding and commitment to the principles of patriotism. While some presentations have revived trust in politics and revealed that South Africa has good politicians, they have exposed that patriotism is one of the duties required of citizens.
What is patriotism? The Cambridge dictionary defines it as “the feeling of loving your country more than any others and being proud of it”.
Liberian student activist Martin Kollie argued: “The highest qualification for national leadership, especially for the presidency, is patriotism… Patriotism is putting one’s country above self through devotion and allegiance”.
Patriotism describes the great love for one’s country and its resources. Patriotic politicians stand alongside their people, suffer with them, and create and own wealth with them. They stand up for people’s rights and opportunities, protect the country’s wealth, provide leadership and put their countries first.
Patriotism also means showing passion and commitment. It does not mean an unquestioning loyalty. It is to defend the country’s national security, interests and integrity; support the country’s authority; contribute towards its progress and to the progress of fellow citizens. Patriotism goes far beyond education, race, ethnicity, background and political history. When those in authority are patriotic, the country and its people prosper.
Writer Vikash Pathak says a true patriot is a decisive and honest leader who puts national interest above their own, an active citizen driven by a special affection, feeling or emotive response which is designated as a zealous love for the country, employees who work for national success and pride, a business that values the principles of sustainable development goals, a principled civil society movement that provides the ground for all moral actions and honest political parties that provide leadership outside their constituencies. All its citizens and sectors of society are supposed to carry a responsibility of maintaining the sovereignty and glory of their motherland.
Politicians such as Pravin Gordhan, Nhlanhla Nene, Mcebisi Jonas, Vytjie Mentor and Barbara Hogan whose testimonies have shown how they were belittled, intimidated, harassed, ridiculed, threatened, discredited, humiliated and even fired while trying to hold one another accountable in their quests to serve the good of mankind and nation are true patriots.
Their submissions made it clear that their patriotism stood between the “predatory elite and the state coffers”. While a “false patriot” “always like to take advantage of the situation. They are “fake politicians” of no principle and character. They have no sense of morality and sacrifice, and are selfish. They will use their mandate and power to enrich themselves, families and friends. At the heart of corruption and state capture is the greed of an unpatriotic predatory faction that has been in control of the country’s resources.
One of the country’s biggest challenges is to promote patriotism as a powerful tool for personal growth and national development.
The starting point in being a “true patriot” is understanding, upholding, respecting, defending and adhering to the basic principles, rights, duties and aspirations as outlined in the Constitution.
As true patriots, South Africans are expected to fight against the enemies of the country’s liberty which includes state looters, profiteers, criminals, racists, lazy public servants and other narrow interests that undermine the national agenda.
Only patriotism can make us stand together in defence of our democracy and in creating hope for the future.
The highest qualification for national leadership,
especially for the presidency, is patriotism.
MARTIN KOLLIE LIBERIAN STUDENT ACTIVIST