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This is a scenario of “musical chairs” or “reshuffled elites”. It is triggered by
the failure of leaders across all sectors to deal with our critical challenges.
This failure is the result of political factionalism and weak, unaccountable
leadership, weak capacity in government departments, and tightening
economic constraints that are not de[p=-'[palt with realistically or inclusively. Civil
society increasingly disengages as public trust in public institutions
diminishes. The state is increasingly bypassed by citizens, resulting in
unaccountable groupings assuming power over parts of society. The gap
between the leaders and the led widens. Citizens eventually lose patience
and erupt into protest and unrest. The government, driven by its inability to
meet citizens’ demands and expectations, responds brutally, and a spiral of
resistance and repression is unleashed. Decay and disintegrations sets in. |
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South Africa faces critical social
and economic challenges especially
related to unemployment and
poverty, safety and security,
education, and health. These
challenges are now exacerbated
by a global economic crisis. If we
fail to recognize the severity of
our challenges, and if we fail to
address them, we will experience
rapid disintegration and decline. |
