We won't get anywhere as South Africa with these selective party politics responses to corruption.
Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), African National Congress (ANC) and Democratic Alliance (DA), the top three South African political titan parties, have members who are pointing ☝🏾 the other's corruption scandals but hiding and protecting their own corruption allegations.
The messages one reads from partisan politics does not go down to the root of the matter. It's simply about showing how corrupt the other is, and by all means overlooking their own comrades' corruption.
Throwing stones from glass houses is the order of the day. It is boring and concerning that we would rather resort to pushing propaganda using issues that are crippling this country down to its knees.
There are protectionists of corruption proudly saying "at least our people did not steal that much from the public". Like how and where does one get this kind of unguided bravery? It is sickening to say the least.
At most, this is saddening especially coming from young people who are supposed to be defending their future against criminals. It's uncalled for to defend and find pleasure in defending the indefensible.
This is a call for concern for our future as young citizens, especially the apolitical. Are we going to let this diseased status quo continue as is without saying anything? Are we to continue placing crooks into positions of power?
Corruption in South Africa 🇿🇦 is rampant. This is fact. And if you still think corruption only exists in the top echelons of this society then you're up for a shock. You've got to re-evaluate that line of thinking 💭.
If you still think corruption in South Africa 🇿🇦 is only done by the ANC, you've got another thing coming. Surely the recent #VBSsaga has shed some light into the state of widespread corruption in this beautiful land.
This calls for a review of the underlying problem of why people steal from their own, and the processes in place to prevent such from happening.
We really need to talk about this corruption culture from a human being's perspective. A young human being's perspective.
This culture is entrenched in almost all, if not all corners of this society - from workers coming home with merchandise they "took" from work without permission. From the "cold drinks", as it has been termed, that citizens have to pay to get their driving licenses, lest the run the risk of failing even when they can operate a vehicle.
Not forgetting School Governing Bodies and school principals helping themselves with schools budgets. Not forgetting the paying of aboMalume (security guards) to enter buildings. Not leaving behind the pastors squandering of untaxed church donations.
All the way up to the "leaders" of the country helping themselves in the cookie jar of the country, leaving crumbs for the needy to fend from. All the way up to big business corporates doing their best to increase their profit margins in the expense of others, and terming it "collusion" - a fancy not so fancy word substitute for corruption.
Of course, this culture, especially in the public sector is defrauding the poor of the poor. It is defrauding the country it's potential to be one of the biggest in the world. But for HOW LONG? is the question.
It is something we need to confront as a nation, especially young people, in every space that we occupy.
However, we cannot be reduced to party politic demagogues who try to convince us that party A stealing R2 Billion is better because the other is on R20 Billion. No.
It is wrong altogether because come their chance, or exposure to the very same R20 Billions, they'd do the same.
This is about greed. Hunger for more at the expense of others.
How do we regulate this? How do we talk ourselves out of this? How do we work ourselves out of this?
As it stands, people are being rewarded for being corrupt. Luckily for them, there are people who are willing to protect them. And some of the protectors, are, sad enough, young people - who are also waiting their turn to loot.
This needs to be fixed as in yesterday.
And as the following picture puts it, PEOPLE POWER, NOT CORRUPT POWER!
People must work for their money. Legally so. Simple.
Clive Bheki, young concerned South African.
16 October 2018
Thank you for reading this opinion piece. Do look out for more.