FOR quite some time now the poor have been living on a staple diet of noble lies in the not-so-new South Africa.
A ‘noble lie’ refers to blatant lies those in positions of power tell to pull the wool over the eyes of unsuspecting ordinary citizens.
The lie is ostensibly told to maintain social harmony while its instigator reaps the benefits.
A noble lie appears and sounds genuine, to such an extent that the gullible even step out of their way to defend it.
By the time the lie is unmasked, the damage from which there is no recovery is done.
As the curtain finally fell on the Zondo Commission after three enthralling years, the noble lie has been told so many times and through so many mouths that the poor have been left gasping for air as the truth once more remained elusive.
One luminary after another gushed untruths with such straight faces that they all came across as angels.
Those who attempted to punch holes in their testimonies became targets of sharp tongues and threats, while some of the finest brains were roped in to ensure the noble lies became palatable and acceptable to untrained ears.
Currently, the commission is busy with the unenviable job of sifting through all the hot air, while those who were paraded in our living rooms are preparing to churn out more noble lies.
It doesn’t matter how the commission finds, the aggrieved will still cry foul and accuse it of being a fishing expedition.
So it would be folly on its part if the commission buckled under pressure or indeed favoured any individual.
It would be almost treasonous if it, too, becomes trapped in a noble lie.
As some commentators stated, the commission is the best thing that has ever happened in South Africa since our miracle moment in 1994.
The restoration of our belief in our Constitution and the institutions created to support it, will be the only safeguard against relapse.
Much that has been broken will take time and great effort to rebuild, but there is no alternative.
The elite shouldn’t be given any space to peddle their noble lies again if we are to live up to the promises of 1994.
Indeed, to achieve peace, stability and prosperity, justice must prevail.
Without justice, the noble liars will come back with a vengeance. If they are allowed to again obtain power, it is unlikely that a commission such as
Zondo’s will ever again see the light of day to protect our hard-won democracy.
Now is the time for South Africans to become proactive and be less trusting of the powerful and the rich.
