South Africans, at every level called to ‘rise up’ in the fight against corruption

Johannesburg - Signs point to South Africa becoming a failed state, and it is up to South Africans to act decisively and reverse this trend. Indications that the country is on the path to becoming a failed state, include large-scale service delivery failures like loadshedding and the looming water crises, the role of corruption in perpetuating these, as well as socioeconomic failures such as persistently high unemployment.

Rather than feeling hopeless, however, South Africans need to draw inspiration from the country’s past democratic victory and collectively ‘rise up’ to stamp out corruption.

These were the sentiments of Lord Peter Hain – recognised anti-apartheid activist, British Labour Party politician and author. In 2015, Hain was awarded the country’s highest national honour, The Order of the Companions of O.R. Tambo Award in Silver, for his contributions to the fight against the injustices of apartheid and his support for South Africa’s liberation movements.

Previously, Hain made headlines by urging South African and global businesses to ‘stop sleeping, wake up and act against corruption’. He elaborated on this perspective in a recent Think Big webinar entitled, ‘Imagining a future without corruption’, calling on South Africans not to play a part in corruption.

The webinar, facilitated by award-winning journalist, Alishia Seckham, was hosted by PSG. The series, which puts some of the country’s most seminal thinkers in the hot seat, is aimed at promoting independent thought and contributing to public discourse on the most pressing issues that pertain to all South Africans.

His call for South Africans to ‘rise up’ against corruption is not a call to revolt, as Hain explained. Instead, it is a call for individuals at every level of society, to take the small but significant actions that will stop corruption. This, he explains, will mean that business owners will need to refuse procurement bribes that may lead to not securing a tender. It will mean that ordinary South Africans, when faced with the prospect of traffic fines or legal action, refuse to pay the bribes demanded by corrupt officials.

“South African citizens may feel despair and despondence, but in their individual capacities, they have real power. The time has come for them to focus on the one thing they can do to stop corruption – refuse to engage in back-handed deals with unscrupulous leaders and government officials; whatever the cost,” says Hain.

These assertions were particularly aimed at the local business community, who Hain believes will play a pivotal role in shaping a better future for the country. As he argues, businesses need to hold themselves and each other to high standards and set a precedent for how business should be done in South Africa.

A zero-tolerance for policy on corruption will require a determined push by the private sector and by the people on the ground. Reminding South Africans of their collective power, Hain says that “the fight against the apartheid government was not won solely by political leaders. It was a battle won by ordinary citizens, and it can be done again.”

To this point, Hain asserted that the outcomes of commissions and inquiries such as the Zondo Commission are a testament to the fact that South Africa’s democracy remains functional and has the ability and capacity to bear fruit. And while real, meaningful change does take time to materialise, there is a possibility of both a “top-down and bottom-up approach” to fighting corruption.

Additionally, Hain notes positively that South African politics has independent opposition, as well as media and journalists who are brave enough to investigate when there are signs of corruption, and who face enormous threats for doing so. The importance that a strong opposition or a coalition can work together to assert themselves in the national interest should also not be ruled out.

The young people of South Africa have a pivotal role to play in putting the structures in place that will get our “house in order.” “My generation has betrayed the youth of the future, and we’re handing over a planet that’s burning”, says Hain. He believes it is imperative that young voters use their voice at the polls to exercise their right and their responsibility to bring about positive change.

As he concludes: “South Africans need to realise that by not voting, all they’re doing is depressing the turnout and lowering the total seats that parties will hold in parliament. If anything, not voting helps to maintain the status quo. But by voting, young people can make an impact on the future of the country. They can hold true to the principles practiced by liberation activists like Nelson Mandela and his fellow leadership giants, who gave their lives for the hard-won democracy that the country is known for today. South Africans have the talent and determination to turn things around for the better and work towards the very real possibility of a corruption-free future.”