Lack of morality
I refer to the piece written by Benjamin Pogrund "Strike has plumbed depths of humanity" in the Sunday Tribune of 29 August. In this piece he comments that the conduct of strikers which in effect was letting premature die "constituted a new low in human behaviour". Sad to say the manner in which the strikers have behaved in the crisis our country in facing at this time indicates a complete lack of morality. It is a symptom of a moral malaise in our society. Sixteen years after inception of our democracy we are in dire need of returning to the kind of morality that Nelson Mandela left as a legacy for this nation.Furthermore, our nation is in need of healing. Social and economic justice in relation to poverty, homelessness and unemployment are not merely social and political issues but are moral ones as well. South Africa is a most unequal society. According to the South African Survey 2008/2009 the Gini co-efficient is 0.61, reportedly the highest in the world. Furthermore there are 23.6 % or 4 125 000 persons were unemployed and 19 633 316 or 40.7% of persons were living in relative poverty in South Africa. This constitutes an inordinate moral and political challenge for South Africa. If the vast majority of black people of South Africa continue to live in abject poverty, the political human rights, such as freedom of expression or religion or association, enumerated in the Bill of Rights have very little significance.
In a process of moral regeneration it is of vital importance that those in the service of the public such as cabinet ministers and MECs should set an example of financial discipline and frugality. If important politicians live lavish life styles at the expense of the tax payer, they encourage the incorrect kind of role model. As a result ordinary persons become envious and this facilitates dishonesty and corruption both in the public and private sectors. Sad to say evidence of this abounds in South Africa today. South Africa today is crying out for role models in both the public and private sector who in their lives reflect the great values found in the Constitution, of dignity, frugality, compassion, abend and caring.
Those in authority are obliged to exercise their powers in accordance with the Constitution and the law. The property and resources of the state must be optimally used for the benefit of all its citizens. These resources are not there for officials to enrich themselves at the cost of the state and its citizens. Should this occur, it constitutes, corruption, fraud and dishonestly, and is therefore morally reprehensible. If we are intellectually and morally honest we must admit that this is occurring to the detriment of South Africa, and that it needs a powerful strategy to counteract it. Indeed it constitutes one of the most formidable moral and political challenges facing us as a nation. A concerted effort in regard moral regeneration is required in both the public and private sectors. Moral regeneration is essential for our nation to succeed.
Prof George Devenish (DA, Durban).
29th August 2010
