Oribi Mom: Why is corruption bad? And other hard conversations
Corruption is a hard conversation because deep down most people don’t care about others, and integrity seems like a myth.
Imagine you’re in Grade 11 and today’s smartboard reads “Why is corruption bad?” How would you answer that question in 400 words?
Most South Africans find themselves devolving into an unintelligible diatribe about the ANC or abusing power channels for dishonest gain.
Others talk about nepotism or stolen tenders that have made people and their families richer.
A Judeo-Christian view equates corruption to theft, a contravention of God’s eighth commandment.
From a Business Studies view, it’s less explicit.
It stunts economic growth because how can you make progress when the foundations of your business (or national economy) are chipped away continuously?
Everything you build falls, and there aren’t enough funds to restart.
There are no black-and-white answers to this festering wound. Greed leads motives and it’s a puddle of pus.
If you had a chance to make yourself rich, would you take it at the expense of someone else? No? Look at it another way.
If you saw a chance to give your children everything you want to provide for them, would you take it? What if it means breaking or bending a rule?
What if it means taking away someone else’s access to those same opportunities?
Corruption is a hard conversation because deep down most people don’t care about others, and integrity seems like a myth.
Do you truly care about what happens to other people? When there are no morals, there is no line to cross, and people can go to whatever lengths they like for personal gain.
Honourable behaviour means nothing without compassion and accountability.
If inequality is so wrong, why is it ubiquitous in our country and worldwide?
Because you and I only apparently only care enough to change something that affects ourselves and our own families.
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South Africa seems to have cultivated a culture of ‘not getting caught,’ but it is a lack of integrity, compassion, and love.
Many people rave against the injustices of corruption but we are all benefactors.
We all take advantage of others or turn a blind eye to abominable things that aren’t hurting our own families.
The choice to be corrupt lives in us in every moment that we choose to look away or stay silent.
The voiceless have little power as our leaders misappropriate funds intended to send children to school or put roofs over people’s heads.
When there’s no money left to fulfil a public servants’ perceived responsibilities, what happens? More hunger and addiction.
Complete decimation of community resources. Devalued currencies and investments. Irreparable schools with unpaid, unmotivated teachers. Lost children.
Even higher crime rates, unemployment and desperation.
Anthropologists like Margaret Mead spoke of a civilized society being one that cares for others, where nobody is left for dead like in the animal kingdom.
She believed that a small group of citizens could affect change if they were passionate enough. Maybe South Africa’s corruption solution lies in you.
Are you willing to stand up? Do you care enough? We need courage.
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