South Africa was the last country to attain liberation in Africa.
After getting freedom, it became the beacon of hope on the continent. The country had a smooth transition. It also had excellent political leadership, celebrated constitution and good policies (it still has good policies). We were the envy of many nations. Not anymore.
Unfortunately, South Africa has eroded the confidence the world has had in it. And everything is now going south. The economy is down, unemployment and crime are high, and investors are not coming by. The health system is very bad and education doesn’t prepare learners for work. Nothing suggests that things will improve anytime soon.
In Africa, corruption has brought many countries to on their knees. It looks like South Africa is going the same route. The State Capture Commission has exposed that corruption runs deep in our country. It has also revealed that our leaders are there to serve their own interests, not that of the masses who have entrusted them with their votes. Clearly greed has taken over.
Additionally, the State Capture Commission has revealed that some, if not most, of our cabinet ministers were in the pocket of Bosasa. In other words, they were bought by the facility company to do favours for it – hence Bosasa received so many government tenders, undeservedly so. In simple terms, our leaders have sold our country to another corrupt family. What have we done to deserve this?
It has become fashionable for our political leaders who are implicated in corrupt activities not to resign. (There are a few in parliament who have been implicated in corruption but remain parliamentarians). This shows disdain to the voters, dishonesty and untrustworthiness of our leaders. How then do we trust them again, especially after the State Capture exposé?
The curious question is: What does the future hold for South Africa? Corruption poses a serious threat to the future of our country. If nothing is done to manage it, it will bring our country down, just like it has done in other African countries. What has happened to Africa’s beacon of hope?
