South Africa, after 30-years, is still grappling with, among other things, a programme of nation-building that unites South Africans around a common vision and set of values. It is therefore important that the National Dialogue answer the nation-building question.
Regrettably, the work of real nation-building is undermined by the fact that millions of South Africans continue to be excluded from meaningfully benefiting from the national economy because of poor governance, corruption, lack of vision and the political will to create a just society.
RISE Mzansi, therefore, proposes the National Dialogue, in answering the nation-building question, engage the following issues:
- The need for visionary, competent and accountable leadership with a sense of national mission, and respect for the dreams and wishes of the South African people
- Ruthlessly dealing with corruption, focusing on senior figures who have so far managed to escape accountability, to set an example for the seriousness required to end corruption at all levels
- Reorientating non-racialism to focus on systemic racism such as spatial injustice, poorly resourced communities, lack of basic community infrastructure, and poor access to economic opportunities
- Bringing seriousness back to historical commemorations, and using them to unite South Africans and entrenching our national values instead of opportunistically using them for short-term political gain
- Focusing on preventing crime while resourcing the criminal justice system to investigate, prosecute and conclude criminal cases swiftly and effectively
- Sponsoring education and development initiatives to end South Africa’s culture of male violence, not just against women but male-to-male violence, which is most prevalent in murder, attempted murder and assault with intent to do grievous bodily harm cases
- Using sports at school and community level to promote a culture of competitiveness, success and peer-to-peer role modelling. While also leveraging and supporting South Africa’s artistic talents in every community to build a culture of arts-driven national conversation, debate and reflection to promote national cohesion
At this unique point in our democracy, it is vital that we intentionally address the question of nation building so that we can truly begin to heal and build a safe, prosperous, equal and united South Africa.