COLUMN: A year of hope, fear and despair
Political analyst Elvis Masoga reflects on 2021.
The year 2021 was intrinsically meant to inspire citizens to learn from the past and strive for ornaments of greatness, excellence and diligence.
It was a foretelling epoch of introspection and growth.
As citizens, did we honestly succeed to deposit value into the vault of 2021? Did we really give our greatest best to the pursuit of goodwill and eminence? Did we manage to convert 2021 into a treasured bastion of a better life for all people? Did we reap any precious wisdom and milestones from the pursuits of government?
These questions are an enigmatic paradox that belies our ideals and realities.
We are an exceptionally great nation that has abandoned its own historic greatness.
Our masterful moments of brilliance have long succumbed to the strangulating stench of primitive predations and debauchery. Social media trolling, immorality, anarchy, violence and criminal barbarity have become the hallmarks of 2021. The monstrosity of gender-based violence had turned our country into a war-zone. The killing and raping of women and children persist to devour the moral fabric of our shared humanity.
The spectre of racism continues to prowl menacingly on the edges of our democracy. Thabo Mbeki’s ‘two-nation theory’ of race-based privilege and mass-based poverty is still endemic in the country. The worst is the frightening mutation of corruption and self-enrichment among government leaders.
Corruption cripples the growth potential of our national endeavours. In spite of such loathsome emblems of monstrosity and barbarity, there are some blissful marks of brilliance and excellence.
In November, 93 students received their eminent PhD (doctoral) degrees at the University of Limpopo.
The MEC for Public Works, Dickson Masemola was one of the noble graduates. A total of 47 students officially became medical doctors as they completed their MBChB (doctoral) degrees at the same university. These exquisite moments of academic greatness are an inspirational shrine on the conscience of the nation. Best wishes.
