Letter: We are worlds apart

Tony Kruger of Ballito writes:

I read the response by Osborne Gwamanda (A baseless argument, March 23) to the letter by Ian Coates (What next for Siza?, March 12) and can imagine reactions of anger and angst by many, many readers.

I find the polarised viewpoints a really grating example of the effect of our history on both of these South Africans, who live not far from one another, but who are worlds apart from common ground.

Multiply this division a thousandfold and one realises how broken our society is.

How to mend this great divide remains probably the most important challenge we still all face – not just the racial divide, but wherever it is found in other forms (be it, culture, religion, gender, tribe).

To me, the answers are laid out in our Constitution, and have been readily available to all of us for the last 25 years.

But, we the ordinary citizens and our ‘leaders’ (so-called) have lost sight of this society-saving magnificent piece of work.

It surely is high time that we all revisit this foundation stone: re-read it, properly understand it ourselves (and not through the distorting lenses of self-serving opportunistic ‘leaders’), buy-in, and genuinely seek to live by its principles and values.

Of course, it is simple to say this, and a lot harder to do, but I see no other way.

If we go through such a (re)educational process, the next step might be to have open-minded round table engagements amongst sincere citizens, and work and build together.

The Truth and Reconciliation Commission tried but never reached its end-goal.

But, can anyone suggest something better?

And, do we have any other choice/s?

One thing is for certain, something must be done.

Letter shortened – Editor.