There has been a great deal of talk recently on the need for a ‘social compact’ between citizens and the government that will act as foundation for the rebuilding of our devastated economy and in many ways our entire social fabric as a nation.
I, for one, find the often bandied about concept of ‘Ubuntu’ an elusive and rare quality.
My sense is that present day South Africans, in their struggle to survive the desperate times we are living through, only have themselves in mind.
This attitude is not helped by the huge trust deficit that exists between the populace and government due to the rampant, predatory avarice shown by both the elected and management cadre, brought into stark relief by the recent plundering of Covid-19 procurement funds.
What incentive is there to practise Ubuntu, translated as ‘an approach that emphasises social unity and generosity of spirit’, when all we see around us is self-serving conspicuous consumption by leaders who are supposed to serve as role-models to us all?
If a true social compact were to be achieved, this is what we would see:
• Public servants accepting that in forgoing the salary increases they are entitled to, they are contributing to the economic rebuilding of the country for all
• Unions looking beyond the interests of their diminishing membership and making decisions that enhance productivity and make us an attractive investment destination
• Government officials at all levels seriously looking at their salaries, perks and benefits and willingly giving up some of them
• Citizens delinquent on their rates and services payments making a concerted effort to pay for what they have used, and what they continue to receive (albeit not to their full satisfaction)
• Communities seeing the absolute folly of destroying infrastructure in their localities as a means of protest
• Public servants developing a conscience when they deliver anything less than a full day’s labour in whatever sector they are tasked
• The private sector forgoing short-term gain (Covid-19 price gouging), for long term benefit to the entire economy.
What are the chances of just one or two of these happening?
* Vijay Naidoo writes in his capacity as CEO of the Port Shepstone Business Forum. The views expressed are the author’s own and do not necessarily reflect those of this publication.
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