Angry though they are, South Africans are simply not protesting enough to shame the ANC government and leaders for their corruption, state failure and decay.
Mediocrity, incompetence and callousness on the part of elected leaders are now accepted as commonplace, as the way things are and will be. They do not elicit the requisite national uproar.
Collective anger is also often misplaced, directed at scapegoats or conspiracies rather than at the government responsible for our woes. In some instances our corrupt political leaders are hero worshipped, buttressing their sense that they need not account for their behaviour. Resignation toin the face of government corruption, state failure and lack of care makes it acceptable for leaders to continue to behave corruptly, incompetently and callously.
Nations have dominant national psyches which determine what will be viewed as acceptable, what will cause collective outrage, and what the country needs to focus on. The acceptance of corruption, incompetence and system decay destroys the idea of holding government accountable — without which these scourges cannot be eradicated.
The acceptance of corruption, incompetence and system decay destroys the idea of holding government accountable — without which these scourges cannot be eradicated.
While we accept these astonishingly low standards, the country will continue on its path to a fully fledged failed state — like most African countries since the end of colonialism. After World War 2, many nations in postcolonial Africa slumped into national psyches which tolerate state failure and decay.
In such nations the collective societal impetus to reverse state failure disappeared. This goes to the heart of why most African countries have failed and become lawless. In contrast, societies in successful East Asian developmental states, such as Japan, South Korea and Singapore, shamed corrupt and uncaring political leaders — bringing these countries the high levels of accountability that was at the heart of their economic success.
The cherished belief that South Africans would rise up against government callousness has proved to be a myth. Former ANC and South African president Jacob Zuma was tolerated in government for nine wasted years in spite of systemic corruption, state failure and lawlessness under his watch, which will take the country years to recover from.
It appears to be accepted that state failure is written into South Africa's identity. Paradoxically there is often celebration if public services are merely delivered, no matter how tardy, mediocre and inconsistent the process.
Crime has become uncontrollable, power outages are now permanent and infrastructure is collapsing.
There is a danger that the the soul of South Africa will be one associated with corruption, incompetence and failure.
We urgently need to rewire South Africa’s national psyche to make these negatives unacceptable — something against which the country will rise up. We will have to individually and collectively make honesty, competence and caring government dear to our hearts — make these part of our national psyche. Our national pride, identity and patriotism must be centred on these virtues. The soul of South Africa must be focused on excellence, merit and justice across the divides of colour, party and the past.
As a nation, we must rebel when government and leaders do not deliver and fail to govern in the public interest, no matter their struggle credentials, colour or political affiliation. Citizens must be on the streets every day. Organised business, civil society and individual citizens must more strongly voice disgust against corrupt, incompetent and uncaring leaders.
South Africans must emulate the actions of the citizens of East Asian developmental states, which underpinned their economic miracles.
Finally, the ultimate constructive anger against corrupt leaders would be not to vote for them or their parties.
* Gumede is associate professor, School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand and author of 'Restless Nation: Making Sense of Troubled Times' (Tafelberg)
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