Politics can no longer stand in the way of success

THE crises that face humankind are innumerable and in many instances so massive that they call for the gathering of not only resources but also spirituality. It is only reasonable to believe that there is a better chance for justice, peace, overcoming poverty and unemployment and social enhancing cohesion, if solutions are found through interfaith collaboration and harmony.

Throughout history, the responsible exercise of freedom has been the only true engine of progress. The South African people must therefore have the maximum amount of individual freedom consistent with law and order.

This includes the freedom to earn a living, accumulate wealth in the way of their choosing, live where they want to, say what they believe, develop their talents, pursue their dreams, and worship as they want.

We must know and understand that there should never be compulsion in religion. As with multilateralism, where it works, pluralistic societies committed to unity in diversity will succeed in ensuring that generations and those to come are poised for success.

But for us to recognise our diversity, even in our faith, we must recognise and commit to unwaveringly accepting the following:

That South Africa is a richly diverse society. Though our people come from different origins, worship in different ways, and have different cultures and customs we are all unique individuals; That diversity is one of South Africa’s greatest assets. All South Africans should celebrate diversity, and recognise the right of each individual to be who they want to be, free from domination by others;

To solemnly subscribe to the preamble to our Constitution which recognises the injustices of our past, and affirms that South Africa belongs to all who live in it, united in diversity and; Continue to take active steps to promote and advance diversity in our own party ranks, while involving the whole-of-society approach on this journey.

Last year, Members of the KZN Legislature

visited Finland. According to information from the World Gallup Poll, Finland is ranked as the happiest country in the world. South Africa is ranked at number 89.

At the same time, Finland has no natural resources. But this country very quickly realised that its best and only resource is its people.

Their officials admitted to us, on numerous occasions, that they invested in their people from the very beginning of independence.

Their education system was also transformed and based solely on trust, so that it produces citizens who are able to contribute maximally to what they have – a capable, ethical, caring and ultimately and importantly a happy state. This has to start from the bottom, as they did. It has to start by breaking cycles that need to be broken, and if there is a need, even create deliberate, lawful and ethical generation gaps to achieve this.

This year’s theme for the KZN Legislature’s Interfaith Symposium was “Developing Boys to be Leaders in the

Fight against Gender Based Violence for the Restoration of Women’s Dignity.”

A look at our schools shows that they have become ganglands, where people can walk in with impunity and assassinate a principal, fire shots at another and hold hostage yet another. Where our children rape each other, assault their teachers, where their teachers rape them, and where weapons are carried in almost equal measure as maths sets!

Then there are the environments that these schools exist within. Umlazi, South Africa’s rape and murder capital is one such example.

If we are to change our direction like Finland did – and we have to in so many ways – and if any interfaith approach is to be used and then measured for success, the commonality, pluralism, multi-ethic nature of society and most importantly Ubuntu needs deep introspection and urgent reverting to.

Efforts to achieve this cannot be superficial and end in talk-shops. What is required is a reset and part of this reset must be to realign our politics. It is politics that stands in the way of a

successful nation.

A party that divides on the basis of race on the one hand and speaks of interfaith harmony on the other is hypocritical, and cannot be a leader of society or claim not to leave anyone behind with such traits.

The whole-of-society approach, the interfaith approach or any such endeavour must ensure a return to the values of freedom, fairness, opportunity and diversity at every level and for everyone. This starts in our homes and communities. Every one of us and all our children must bring about this change – in our hearts and our minds and through the ballot box. There is hope.

This opinion piece was originally delivered in the KZN Legislature last week in the form of a debate on the 2023 Interfaith Symposium.