South Africans need to wake up to the many crippling costs of corruption
Until ordinary citizens stop dismissing corruption as a peripheral issue, and stop voting for corrupt leaders, they won’t get a safe and stable South Africa country in their lifetimes.
South Africans must recognize and address the severe consequences of corruption, according to a leading expert. William Gumede, an associate professor at the University of the Witwatersrand's School of Governance, warns that many ordinary citizens view corruption as a minor issue and fail to comprehend its impact on public services, crime, and unemployment.
Gumede argues that corruption erodes public trust in institutions, making it difficult to implement policies and achieve societal stability. He points out that corruption undermines the credibility of policies such as Black Economic Empowerment (BEE), land restitution, and expropriation for public benefit, as these initiatives are often captured by ANC-connected politicians, trade unionists, and state-owned entity executives.
The associate professor emphasizes that corruption is a fundamental obstacle to economic growth and democratic progress. He states that countries that have built sustainable democracies have prioritized fighting corruption as a key component of their democratic development process. Gumede contends that without high levels of trust, citizens are unwilling to sacrifice their individual interests for the greater good, which is essential for achieving long-term economic and social goals.
The expert notes that the ANC's strategy of promising to benefit previously disadvantaged citizens often leads to the perception that corruption is acceptable within the political system. Gumede urges South Africans to reject this mindset and demand transparent, accountable leadership to foster a stable, prosperous, and democratic society.
Written by urgent.news from Daily Maverick's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
