Thembalethu Qolo, Nyanga
South Africa is under a lot of economic and political pressure. We recently held the Job Summit which cost the country R15 million to host.
Our unemployment has increased to 27.5% and the number of government grant dependants has increased. These are some of the key issues that, united as a country, we must deal with.
However, I firmly believe that we can’t work in silos when dealing with such complex matters. As a country we need strong decisive leadership.
For all the troubles and shortfalls that occurred from 1999 to 2008, we blamed President Thabo Mbeki.
Again now, for all shortfalls of 2009 to 2017, we are blaming Jacob Zuma.
If we are saying this is the collective leadership why must only one person take the blame?
This blame shifting does not happen in politics or government alone but throughout the social sectors such as churches, NGOs, etc.
I’m of the view that if we are to sort out this country, we all need to be accountable and responsible. And this accountability needs to come from the bottom, up.
The amount of energy we use to protest and cast stones must be equal to the accountability we pose to ourselves and to the surrounding leaders.
For greater impact in society, we need to ensure firstly in our own homes there is leadership and accountability from parents and then, the greater society.