Moving away from Mandela’s nation of “we” to “me”

By Alec Hogg

Had a fascinating evening at Wits Business School witnessing the launch of its series called “Courageous Conversations.” Last night was the turn of religious leaders – with Christianity, the ZCC, Islam and Judaism represented. The questions were tough, but left me with the deep sense that these too often colliding ideologies have much more in common than their differences.

Highlight was the contribution by Anglican Archbishop Thabo Makgoba who summed up the national challenge best: “South Africa is sliding into becoming a nation of “me” rather than a nation of “we”. When “we” decisions are made in the country as a whole, they are made for the common good, not for a single person, party, union or company.” Feels like a lifetime since “we” ruled.

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