Freedom has failed to free us from fear

THE walls that people build to protect themselves often imprison them.

The majestic gates and electric fences are vulgarity and a continuation of the old South African culture of exclusion.

Our freedom, it is now clear, has failed to free us from the fear of one another, but worst of all, fear from oneself.

On the opposite end of the freedom spectrum is trust, and the basis of trust is respect for all people regardless of their physical appearance.

But respect for fellow citizens of planet earth cannot happen if respect for self is nonexistent.

Those with self-confidence have the magnanimity to give respect to others and their roles, and are welcoming of untested talent because they have the depth to feed the roots of the future.

When people cry for obedience and protocol, they are in effect begging for a consolation prize in a world that refuses to recognise them, because they are unable to stand on their disintegrating feet of clay. These are the people who hold on to mediocrity for dear life.

When the racism wall fell in April 1994, and many of the insiders emigrated, the outsiders rushed to take their place, and new walls were erected — suburbs were fenced in and private armies assumed the right to search without warrants and harass the poor who had been excluded in the first place.

The government officials, who are the former freedom fighters, were unable to speak, because their lips were stuck together from the honey that they had indulged in.

Bureaucracy grew like a wall of blue gum trees — impossible to scale – surveillance of citizens became as normal as eavesdropping in a conversation on the bus, and xenophobia was left to flourish for cheap political profit.

It is not only the plants and animal species that are dying out, but the values that make us who we are, and no one dares ask the question: What will happen to the breathing dead once the devastation of their souls is complete?

It is a shame how financial markets have been given godlike status, and that there is the lie that profit is the cure to all social ills, that the poor should donate their labour for next to nothing so others can get rich, and that the growl of the empty stomach is a side consequence that no one should pay attention to, as long as asset managers are happy.

For as long as the walls of exclusion stand, the struggle for liberation will not be over. Those who live inside these walls will not demolish them, and those who make a profit from the economy of building them will continue to create fear, doubt and despair.

So before you renew your contract with your security company, make sure that you’ve extended your hand of friendliness to your neighbours. They are your best security. Before you complain about dirty streets, make sure that your portion is spotless. Before you complain about unemployment, make sure that you have the enthusiasm and discipline to do the chores. Before you complain about the lack of government funding, make sure that you’ve tried to raise money from your friends, family and fools.

Employment will not descend from the heavens or high-rise offices, but from ordinary people who are committed to helping society move forward by creating jobs that will feed families.

Capitalism is not freedom because it puts the rights of capital ahead of those of humans. We, on the other hand, are abantu, batho. It’s time to free ourselves from the walls of exclusivity and their oppression, and open our hearts to the world.