17 February 2009

South Africa: Shame on us

The truth is a double-edged sword, it is said. Well, in that case it is shame on us, South Africa. A reader of News24.com wrote in the edition of 17 February of the 'sickness that defines us'. His lament and self-conflagration were triggered by the revelation of fraud and deception by a once golden spin-doctor of the African National Congress, which is the ruling political party in South Africa.

Archbishop Emeritus Tutu wrote last year of the loss of moral compass of South Africa - the decay in society evident in acute prevalence of rape, murder, brutal assault, robbery, corruption, nepotism, recklessness, general impoliteness that have erupted in this nation.

More recently, South Africa, who held the chairmanship of the UN Security Council for a term, squandered what was left of its moral authority in confounding and fantastically senseless positions on major points of international contention ([Burma];[Libanon];[Zimbabwe]).

In South Africa, we have lost it. These days life seems aimed at the next jollification; the next quick rich scheme. Businesses often have no clue what good service entails. Customers often are rude and bombastic. About every pub along the West Coast competes for the most bar fights per night. The youngsters are becoming more conceited by the day. Respect for law and order is reflected in the extreme popularity of a renegade band called Fokof Polisiekar (Eng. Fuck off Police Car).

Our crime figures rival that of Columbia. Only war zones have it worse than certain parts of South Africa, which includes Gauteng, the financial hub of the country. The famously casual, genuinely friendly South African demeanor is mixed with a common alacrity of conduct, an insensitivity to sensibilities, which quickly can turn into disdain. Perhaps familiarity has bred contempt. High levels of latent aggression means offense is taken at even slight opposition, typically to be resolved through a bout of physical violence - really, very rough-neck.

It is not all gloom though. There are a few pockets of goodness around: Persons; businesses; government officials that still uphold proper levels of self-respect and decency. But these islands seem engulfed and threatened to be overwhelmed by a general degeneration in the fabric of society.

South Africa, quo vadis? We were supposed to be heading the other way, remember?

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