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A New Year, or another year?

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Workplace Ministry is a column written for sharing by the Transformation Christian Network of Nelson Mandela Bay. It provides guidance to believers who want to make a difference in their neighbourhoods and metro – Mike Smith.

When we look around us today, we have to admit that the world is in a mess. What with wars, poverty (largely caused by rampant fraud and corruption) and climate change. South Africa is certainly not immune to these issues.

In the aftermath of the ANC Elective Conference, an article in the Daily Maverick dated 20 December 2022, pointed out one of the noticeable changes from that held in 2017.

“This time civil society has been most visible by its absence. Only 29 organisations were on the credentials committee’s list of civil society organisations, think tanks and foundations – and that included Safa and Netball SA.

“After five years of continued corruption, austerity and lack of progress on any of the fundamental issues that affect people who are income-poor; after the mishandling of the Covid-19 pandemic (and I don’t mean just the corruption), much of progressive civil society has largely discarded its investments in the ANC.”

In Nelson Mandela Bay, a group of people, representing various civil society groupings have long since understood that local government no longer prioritises serving the community. They are working for change under the banner of the Civil Society Coalition.

It must be said that dishonesty is not limited to state employees and politicians. I recently was a victim of a call centre operator who lied and sold me a cellphone contract I did not want.

There are some checks and balances in place for certain professions and positions in the private sector. Company Directors and governed by provisions of the company’s act.

My own accounting profession does not only require its leaders to be honest and upright, but if found wanting in this regard, their membership is forfeit.

But, for other organisations, it seems to be a requirement to be dishonest or unethical to move up the leadership ladder.

This is nothing new I am afraid. I was present in a meeting in the boardroom of the then Port Elizabeth Chamber of Commerce when Kent Durr, an apartheid cabinet minster, admitted that politicians lie as a matter of course.

Is there some light in the tunnel?

It seems to be a constant refrain, reflecting our despair that people accused of wrongdoing are not brought to justice.

JP Landman, in an article dated 20 October 2022, gave us a summary of the cases brought against the high-profile characters who have featured so prominently in our news.

The Specialised Commercial Crimes Unit in the NPA finalised 388 cases with 344 convictions – a 90,5% conviction rate.

The number of government officials convicted of corruption increased by 38% from 86 to 119.

Convictions private sector individuals involved in corruption increased by nearly 40% from 147 to 205.

Freezing orders to the value of R5,5 billion were obtained, an 800% increase on the R611 million in the previous year. It is worth noting that in June 2021 more than 800 posts/vacancies were filled in the NPA.

The Special Investigating Unit has the option of bringing civil cases to a High Court, or before the Special Tribunal, created in 2019 by President Ramaphosa.

While the civil cases will not put a perpetrator in orange overalls, it can deprive them of their ill-gotten loot. The unit has filed at least 50 civil cases to the value of R6,9 billion with the Special Tribunal.

It was an order by the Special Tribunal that R150 million can be recouped from various people and entities in the Digital Vibes scandal that led to former minister Zweli Mkhize’s downfall.

So, what might the average citizen do to assist the powers that be. The late Graham Power founded an organisation entitled “Unashamedly Ethical”.

It is a call for honesty and right living by making a series of commitments and then being accountable to an ombudsman. His vision was of a growing band of people stemming the tide of corruption through their actions and example.

The bolder amongst us would actively seek to become whistle blowers.

Other groups of people are prepared for a total blackout should all the conspiracy theories of fuel, electricity and food shortages be realised. Doomsday Preppers are no longer confined to the United States. The movement is finding a home in South Africa.

I believe there is alternative, one that I am a part of. Namely, the Church.

Paradoxically, the only criteria to be a member is that you are a sinner, but that is where the similarity with any other organisation ends.

For to be part of the Church, one needs to recognise yourself as a sinner, repent and commit yourself to follow Jesus Christ and with the assistance of the Holy Spirit, your life will change for the better.

If left to us, we would never earn our way to God.

Yet, in His great mercy, He has made Himself known to us through the person and work of Jesus Christ and by His grace we are saved.

For more on this subject, see you next week.

Mike Smith, Workplace Minister.

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Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.