The setting…………………………….

The good news is that South Africa is now a free country, a free nation, without any bonds or chains. South Africa once was the showcase of Africa,
the most modern and well developed and literate country in Africa but now is spiraling out of control because of crime and violence and this is preventing
it from becoming world class, an example is the city of Johannesburg, according to statistics is the second most dangerous city in the world.

The much fought over freedom over the years has presented unexpected demands and challenges, with freedom comes responsibility and duty, with power comes
responsibility, with authority comes reponsibility, we as a nation have to be accountable and abide by law’s of society, the law’s of morality,
failing that, we are heading toward lawlessness and anarchy, heading towards a becoming failed state, it’s time for all of us to do some introspection
and take a macro view point of what’s going on around us.

In human life, there is no issue that has a higher priority than safety and security, in ancient times, one of the most important aspects of life was to
protect oneself from the threat of attack from animals and seeking shelter from inclement weather, this still applies today in modern South Africa.
Urban South Africans have amongst the highest stress levels in the world because of crime and violence. South Africa is the most violent country in the
world, although not at war, there are more deaths, casualties and trauma than in an actual war.

The entire nation is worried about the future, what does the future hold for everyone? the situation is worse than a natural calamity like a hurricane
or tsunami, because the problem of crime and violence is continuous and not a one time damaging event. Fear and stress is becoming a national landmark,
a national way of life, whereas other countries are known for their sporting skills, or food or natural beauty, South Africa has become
the violence capital of the world, fifty four murders per day, seven hundred farm murders per year.

What is the purpose of life? what is the purpose of going to school or work? what is the purpose of buying a car or building a new house? what is the
purpose of studying? what is the purpose of seeking better opportunities? if the most basic essence of life is missing? that is, safey and security,
the most basic foundation of human society is under threat in South Africa.

Robbery, Violence, Bribery, Corruption, Rape, Manslaughter, Child Molestation, these are everyday words in South Africa, a dark cloud that is
hanging over the nation’s soul, these are certainly not kind words, but a reality, a daily occurence, in the life of the average citizen, is this what
freedom is all about? do we really want this type of freedom? what hope do we have for the future? What do we, as parents tell our children about the future?
we are helpless and powerless, we can only pray to God for salvation.

The constitution, on paper, promises, “law and order, respect as human beings, unfettered participation in the economic and political life of the country,
full civil liberties, freedom of speech and press, safet and security, equal opportunity and equal protection under the law for all it’s citizens.
Does the constitution have any value? is it meaningful, Is it a myth? or pure fiction and romance? do we as ordinary citizens of the country have any
rights? or protection under the law, we are not sure, who do we turn to? who can help us? perhaps, only prayer to God will help.

An appeal………………………

- we appeal to the government to urgently address crime and violence before it becomes uncontrollable, to address the underlying causes of crime and violence,
one of the main problems is unemployment, the second is uncontrolled immigration and the third is an ineffective police force.

- we appeal to the government to create more jobs by setting a climate for business to create employment opportunities, by inviting foreign investment
and by becoming a net exporter, and not to export out jobs to countries like China.

- we should and must help our neigbours in the north, but not controlling immigration and allowing an unlimited number of people to cross our borders
will break the back of the country, we do not have an unlimited resources, our resources are stretched to the limit already, we already a major
problem with thousands if not millions of illegal immigrants in the country, we cannot send them back, the majority of ordinary citizens are already
losing out since they have to share scarce resources or resources that do not exist with immigrants, this is really unfair.
This could lead to a volatile situation where citizens will take the law into their hands and vent their frustrations on immigrants
because of the disparity and can this could lead to ethnic cleaning and a potential holocast,let’s pray that it never happens.

- We appeal to the entire nation to help to stop the maiming, killing, raping, and pillaging, we are one nation, all on the same side with a
common purpose and destiny.

- We appeal to the government to ban all weapons carried in public besides those that are necessary for policing and for the security forces,
and to impose harsh penalties for anyone caught brandishing weapons in public, and jail them for perhaps a minimu of three days or more and then
release them for trial.

In summary………………………….

We have to unite and remove the evils of crima and violence, vices like alcoholism, drug addiction, and other evils that are destroying
the moral fiber of our society. We ourselves have to lift the level of our community to a higher level (it’s time to stop playing the blame game
or playing the race card, remember that we are a free country, a free nation, in control of our destiny).

Though the highest officials in the land do not realize that they are role models, nor realize that bribery and corruption will set a precedent for the
rest of the country to follow, a type of future that no country should aspire to.

The government has to create a climate for growth and stability by guaranting safety and security for all it’s citizens as stipulated in the constitution,

The government should amend the constitution and introduce new laws that will ensure that a ‘Zimbabwe’ type of situation does not happen in South Africa,
so that an autocrat or dictator does not take power.

An oversight body like the old Scorpions should be reinstated, for purposes of investigating and auditing fraud, tax evasion etc. to ensure that no one
is above the law.

we have to normalize society as fast as possible and stop the revolutionary type of politics that is currently in play, the freedom struggle
ended fifteen years ago, it’s high time that the brightest and most capable people lead the country and the economy.

Laws should be amended so that there are checks and balances at all levels of government, to ensure that there is accountability, honest and transparency,
failing this, we are heading to becoming a failed state.

Sofasonke, Abrahams, Mattera, Nelson and Mary
(compiled by a group of ordinary concerned citizens – Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika – God Bless Africa)