I am convinced that the single biggest challenge facing South Africa today and into our future is a lack of good leadership.
We learn from our masters. The entire human learning experience is one of learners, being taught and led by their superiors.
The economies of the world and every system functions the way it does because of structure and order. Respect and discipline are engrained in us, or at least should be, from a very early age. The sharpest military forces of this world run efficiently through the persistent applying of these core values of discipline.
Why do the best military forces operate with such precision and efficiency? It's because their leaders refuse to drop their guard and allow mediocrity for one second.
Why do the wealthiest and most successful companies operate with such precision and efficiency? It's because their leaders refuse to drop their guard and allow mediocrity for one second.
Our problem is a lack of good leadership.
The same question can be asked every time that any of us receive poor service. Whether it be standing excessively long in queues, being treated with disrespect and arrogance when we finally do meet the desk clerk/teller, having the wrong order fulfilled when ordering food, not being treated like a contributing tax paying citizen by the police when facing a crisis and needing their immediate help.
Whatever the poor service case may be, the reason we experience those poor levels of service is that someone's manager/supervisor, is not doing his/her job properly.
Why is it that on a recent exposé, we find that the floors of Eskom are empty, and that not a single employee can be found at work during a working day? Simple, their managers/supervisors are not doing their jobs properly. They are not overseeing their staff and managing their performance.
Our ever likeable President Jacob Zuma would win most popularity contests if that's what running a government was about. However his position dictates, in fact commands, that the office he holds be fulfilled by someone fitting of all the necessary criteria of that office. It's not about the man; we should never attack the individual, but rather challenge the behaviour if it's not in line with what the position itself requires.
If we're ever to root out all the corrupt thieves in government, then surely we have to look at our leaders from top to bottom, and ask and answer the very tough questions that we are faced with. From lost police dockets and misplaced ID book applications, to broken promises that lead to violent service delivery protests, the "blame" has to be laid squarely at the feet of our leaders.
Good leaders lead by example. They're not perfect, but they do earn the respect of the people. They act in accordance with the levels expected of the offices they hold. Good leaders are not obsessed with dividing the people along lines of race, rather good leaders unite, and they bring us all together in a time of need. They inspire the people to work together towards a common goal for the greater good.
South Africa desperately needs leaders of this calibre, leaders who we all can admire and respect, and who can lead us as one united nation, into our future together.
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Disclaimer: All articles and letters published on MyNews24 have been independently written by members of News24's community. The views of users published on News24 are therefore their own and do not necessarily represent the views of News24. News24 editors also reserve the right to edit or delete any and all comments received.