Jacob Zuma's firing of Nhlanhla Nene is more than him exercising presidential prerogative, but upholding his oath to place the country first and govern to the standard the constitution and public demands. If he and the government he leads cannot do that, what does this mean for the institutions and society?
A few years ago I was fired as accountant for a small organisation allegedly due to restructuring but I was the only one affected. After I was gone, my reportedly incompetent and unqualified "replacement" (and others) were implicated in embezzling - management was derelict too for not adhering to policies.
A few years ago I was fired as accountant for a small organisation allegedly due to restructuring but I was the only one affected. After I was gone, my reportedly incompetent and unqualified "replacement" (and others) were implicated in embezzling - management was derelict too for not adhering to policies.
The real reason for my firing, though, was I had continually spoken out about their failure to adhere to policies and financial waste, theft and, in the end, permitting these failures.
I have been unable to find work since partly because my professional integrity, and career, was ruined because of my dismissal (and I'm too old and the wrong colour). Knowing this, would I do the same again? Yes.
My point is, the kind of unethical, immoral, often illegal and uncaring attitudes Zuma and his cronies display is common among the people we know and companies we work for. My experience, our putative leaders and where the country is heading has made me cynical, I dare say, like many people. But recently I've been asking myself, why should I do the "right" thing when few seem to bother. This is our society now, arguably the most corrupt in Africa.
I've already decided I won't vote next year, and probably thereafter - politicians, including opposition DA, treat citizens with contempt, don't care and place themselves first.
I shan't do harm - I remain moral - but shall place my family first above society's norms. Save water and keep to watering hours? Why should we when, unlike the ANC and their entitled voters, we pay our bills. You know, small omissions of social indifference and civil disobedience.
You may say most people, who are not sociopaths like Zuma and his cronies, have the innate tendency to do good. However, the majority are indifferent or too scared to speak out and make a difference. This is the same as doing nothing - as doing harm by omission. Yesterday, on the Nene topic, social media commentary expressed the same view - frustration and anguish that there is little we, as individuals, can do.
However, like in the late 1980s when big business forced the National Party to negotiate, business is perhaps the only block that may still influence the ANC to return to reason. So far they have colluded with the ANC, especially with BEE and labour legislation, because it has benefited them, but like in the 80s, we are heading for the edge, which benefits no-one.
What can business, its boards and directors do to make a difference to the perilous road Zuma and the ANC has placed us on? Many will have directors who are ANC members with influence. Are they going to be the spectators we all are to the unfolding events?
I have been unable to find work since partly because my professional integrity, and career, was ruined because of my dismissal (and I'm too old and the wrong colour). Knowing this, would I do the same again? Yes.
My point is, the kind of unethical, immoral, often illegal and uncaring attitudes Zuma and his cronies display is common among the people we know and companies we work for. My experience, our putative leaders and where the country is heading has made me cynical, I dare say, like many people. But recently I've been asking myself, why should I do the "right" thing when few seem to bother. This is our society now, arguably the most corrupt in Africa.
I've already decided I won't vote next year, and probably thereafter - politicians, including opposition DA, treat citizens with contempt, don't care and place themselves first.
I shan't do harm - I remain moral - but shall place my family first above society's norms. Save water and keep to watering hours? Why should we when, unlike the ANC and their entitled voters, we pay our bills. You know, small omissions of social indifference and civil disobedience.
You may say most people, who are not sociopaths like Zuma and his cronies, have the innate tendency to do good. However, the majority are indifferent or too scared to speak out and make a difference. This is the same as doing nothing - as doing harm by omission. Yesterday, on the Nene topic, social media commentary expressed the same view - frustration and anguish that there is little we, as individuals, can do.
However, like in the late 1980s when big business forced the National Party to negotiate, business is perhaps the only block that may still influence the ANC to return to reason. So far they have colluded with the ANC, especially with BEE and labour legislation, because it has benefited them, but like in the 80s, we are heading for the edge, which benefits no-one.
What can business, its boards and directors do to make a difference to the perilous road Zuma and the ANC has placed us on? Many will have directors who are ANC members with influence. Are they going to be the spectators we all are to the unfolding events?
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