As a South African reading the daily news, it’s difficult not to feel like the proverbial frog sitting in a pot of water on a lit stove. You can feel it getting hotter. Do you jump or do you hope that someone will turn down the flame?
Zupta and Gupta. Nepotism, state capture and fake news. Crime, corruption, colonialism and racism. Junk Status, inequality and a very slow growth rate.
Where do you jump to anyway? Would anywhere else feel like home?
Take a breath. Everything’s going to be ok. It’s not going to be easy, but we will be fine in the end.
Why? How?
One thing that sets South Africa apart from the failed states up North is that when the heat was turned up, the frogs in those pots didn’t have a voice.
We have a voice.
We have the internet and free press. Collectively or individually, we can stand up and talk about what we believe in.
We can even belong to Facebook and WhatsApp groups that criticise those in power. We can Tweet about things we don’t like. We get to pick sides.
That’s cool, but what difference does it make?
Historically rule #1 for illegally seizing or holding power has been to capture the radio stations. By controlling the most prominent source of information, the capturers vilify their opposition and lionise their friends. They unify the masses with non-truths.
This isn’t possible with modern, decentralised communication platforms. On the Internet we get real news with the fake news, and we get to make a choice about what we want to believe.
The impact of this ability to freely make, distribute and receive news is clear. Over the last few weeks, there have been a series of citizen marches around the country. No one acting legally was arrested.
As a result, there is a feeling of new-found introspection in government and our various political parties. The voice of the masses is making a difference and is causing a self-correction.
So, how do we turn the flame under the pot down?
Firstly, don’t leave. We can’t turn the heat down if we’re on the other side of an ocean. Unify and stick it out. South Africa is home after all.
Secondly, we must continue to talk and engage in politics and national pride. Stand up for what is right and oppose what is wrong.
Post, like, share and tweet.
Thirdly, promote and support affordable internet access for all. Just over half of South Africa has access to connectivity. The rest are unable to filter their news (or seek global knowledge, search for jobs or get new forms of entertainment) because of infrastructure and price.