I have a growing sense that as a nation, South Africa is heading towards a knife edge. In just a few months Zuma goes to trail (in which the prosecutors are calling over 200 witnesses). A few months thereafter, we go to the polls to vote for a new president (during which the president-elect will still be standing trial for corruption). As recipes go, this does not bode well for a peaceful transition between power regimes.
Now, lest we forget, we were on a knife-edge of considerable proportions about 14 years ago. "On the brink of civil war" might be a closer proximation of the state of the nation in 1994. The avergae South African, when asked about 1994 will say two things: 1) it was a miracle that we had a peaceful transition into democracy, and that 2) we had an amazing person at the helm (Mandela) to lead us through the transition.
If we had to draw the two knife-edges into parallel, and ask who will be the leader who will draw our nation away from the knife-edge in the months to come? At this point in time we have Mbeki and Zuma in a position to do this. Do I foresee either of them providing the moral fibre and direction to our country needed to see us through the next year? Unfortunately not. Neither of them have the moral fibre and resounding character to assure a nation that Mandela possesses so naturally.
I would echo some of your sentiments.
It seems miraculous to me that perceptions can change in so short a period of time. Six or seven month ago we (many South African's) were on a high. Stock markets were buoyant, fuel was reasonable, we had power and the ruling party seemed to be in control. Things were so good that Mboweni had to slow the economy down with interest rate hikes.
Today! - well GOSA claims we should carry guns, we have regular blackouts, civil war does seem a possibility, interest rates are moving up as are fuel prices, food prices, rates and the cost of foreign exchange. Manuel tries to put a positive spin on things in his budget but the truth is that we have no true democracy when a political party dictates policy to government even if they are in the majority. Zuma makes naive statements and takes naive positions and we have no true clear leader to give HOPE (to all).
When did all of this change or were we always headed along this path without really perceiving it? If, as I believe, we make our own reality through our predominant thought, we have a tough job ahead of us. We should all try a lot harder to see a positive outcome to the current situation. It seems to me that we are going to have to overlook many "faults" before our perceptions change once again. The news, political scenario and cost of living just make it harder.
Any good ideas as to how we can all start creating a growing network of positive perceptions to make our lives and those of our children more pleasant?
Big Skeptic,
It all all depends on the extent to which you believe perceptions can change reality ...
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