FIFTY BILLION & COUNTING

So five billion up on  last year. A staggering fifty billion blown by craps dealers of state on dumb deals and seedy dealings. It all comes into perspective when one considers since 1994, only R25 million has been used to buy land for redistribution.

We see banks with clay foundations topple while those partying on the roof, party on - but the pace is slowing. Does it look curiously to anyone else out there, like the first few hesitant steps preceding a stampede of panic? Names and faces in higher and lower places starting to scuttle for cover from insensitive questions thrown accusingly and almost indiscriminately at anyone unlucky enough to be caught in the firing line. Could it turn into a witch-hunt?

The old guard is out, but some of the henchmen remain. There is a new knight in shining armour, but there are some who believe he has feet of clay, and others who believe he is tarnished. And the world stands on the sidelines, fingers on financial firing pins, cold eyes watching waning optimism and rising gloom while listening to the spin from the passages of power for any cracks or hints which way the national cookie will crumble - or not.

Meanwhile back on the home front, the youth cry out for jobs and free education, the older cry out for jobs and free land. Everyone wants free housing, free water, free electricity and free health care, while the entities responsible for serving these needs are falling apart right under our snivelling noses. And those meant to be part of the solution have been jumping in with both feet to pillage and plunder, while out on the street everyone blames everyone else for everything going wrong from crime to the weather and beyond. Difficult balls for a new president to inherit.

Things need to change. Everyone knows that. But what and how? Everyone seems to have a different opinion. The way I see it, firstly integrity, honesty, transparency and truth should once again be drivers underpinning the actions of leaders. Then the media should stop playing on populism and sensationalism and come to understand the responsibilities of their roles within a fragmented and confused society. Society should try become as aware of and sensitive to good news as we are to the bad, and also learn to accept the fact that not all rotten eggs will fall  - or at least not all at the same time. And lastly and most importantly, I pray our leaders into tomorrow will have the courage to present themselves for scrutiny, to redeem their names, honour, and credibility in the eyes of those who follow. They should come clean on their wrong doings and apologise to the nation. Thereafter it would be up to the guys in back rooms with geeky hair and thick glasses to try work out possible win win situations, and if handled with honour, this too shall pass.

But hoping that all the rot will be exposed is unrealistic. Although theoretically all should be exposed and deposed, would that even be possible without collapsing the government and administration? ...Because it will no doubt emerge that irregularities have been filtering down just about the entire system for years, from the very top to the very bottom, each tier learning the tricks of the trades from those who should have been their role-models. If we had to even try, only the lawyers would win - and haven't they gleaned enough of the pie, fighting for the pie, already? 

The rot truly started at the head, and eventually almost killed the snake. And just as surely, the recovery has had to start at the head. So has it? Has Cyril got what it takes? Does the nation trust him enough to give him the rope he will need to catch the baddies? Only time will tell, and history record. Since his arrival, there has been change. Not momentous by any measure. But there has been change, nevertheless. But what in real terms has changed? ...What is changing?

The new President did the right thing setting wheels in motion to expose the dirt. ...And as long as it is not simply electioneering and role-playing, and as long as those tasked with upholding the law do there job according to the law, there can be hope.

Those that live in ivory towers will no doubt survive. ...This is the way of the world; an unfortunate testament to the fact that yes, money can buy everything. But that said, there is a rising undercurrent feeding a need for redemption to survive. A flickering will to purify our national honour and cleanse our souls. And for that reason, there is hope. And hope with time will grow into trust - if and only if a new generation of honourable leaders comes to the fore. Bright young leaders governed by principles, and resistant to prejudice and temptation, to lead us to a peaceful and prosperous, united promised land.