Mmegi

Ask not what your country can do for you

He did not long live to see the fruit of his labour, but John F. Kennedy’s inaugural presidential address continues to set the tone and inspire many in the public service.

His timeless, deeply patriotic and universally applicable words remain relevant now as they were yesterday. “And so fellow Americans, ask not what your country can do for you, ask what you can do for your country.”

The fortunes of any country lies in the collective contributions of its citizens but also rest more in the capable hands of those men and women privileged to be in the public service. The public service is not just the anchor of government but it is also the government. Serving one’s country, especially in the teaching fraternity, means worrying less about what is there for one but more about seeking to alter for the better the course of a country and its people. The role of the teaching profession in any nation’s societal transformative journey cannot be over emphasised. Without the input of teachers, it is hard to see how any nation can accomplish its dreams and aspirations for a much more secure and durable future.

Editor's Comment
Justice delayed is trust denied

Batswana who marched peacefully for 'Justice for Tshepi' demanded answers. They have now received a detailed account of police investigation and a promise that the file is with the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP). The real test is whether the state now keeps its word without further prodding. In his address, the minister asked the nation to trust the process. He spoke of rigour, not neglect, and pointed to 10 months of...

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