Everywhere you look you can sense "something is wrong".No doubt, over the last 23 years since the release of Nelson Mandela in February 1990, we have produced bright and charismatic leaders. Many have risen to international stature and are significant global players. In fact South Africa has gained a reputation as a country that punches above its weight.But our house and family is faltering.There's a lot of gloom and doom when you attentively listen to the voice of the people on the ground from all backgrounds, races, creeds and classes. These people who see the glass half empty are correct. They have a right to be listened to.
This beautiful land seems poisoned with rivalry, competition, selfishness, greed and, above all, suspicion and a lack of trust. We lack trust so much that every leader from Nelson Mandela to Jacob Zuma is considered guilty of some misdemeanour until they prove themselves innocent.Suspicion and a lack of trust have seeped deep into the soul of this nation. Nobody is spared: priests, politicians, sports stars, artists, corporate executives, and, of course, top government officials and managers. At the risk of generalising, no one trusts what is happening here.
South Africa is now perceived, rightly or wrongly, to be one of the most corrupt societies in Africa. People will tell you that the prevailing attitude is "it is our turn to eat".
