What is the state of our nation 21 years after the advent of democracy in South Africa? Are our ethics as a nation at a desirable level, one envisioned by the founding fathers of our nation and premised on the values of honesty, justice, fairness and moral uprightness?
This formed the basis for MITC’s Open Discourse Series held on 28 April 2015 where the violent xenophobic attacks occurring across the country took centre stage. Geraldgie Candidate Attorney Mohau Romeo Tsusi delivered the keynote address, which was accompanied by strong messages from Proff. Tlangelani Felender Hlongwane.
The conversation takes place at a crucial point in our young democracy, with questions raised by society at large on the state of leadership, rampant corruption, increasing crime levels, increased social inequality, mindless xenophobic attacks and general moray decay, among others.
However, he continued, “I think the word xenophobia is misplaced. This isn’t about fear of foreigners. This is far more malevolent than that; rather, we are dealing here with the hatred of foreigners… President Mandela would have been ashamed of what we are seeing in the country today.”
He added that having achieved the fundamental aims of the struggle, and with the advent of democracy, the struggle facing South Africa today has become far more nuanced, taking on different shapes in various sectors of society.