tag:theconversation.com,2011:/africa/topics/madiba-40822/articlesMadiba – The Conversation2018-07-26T14:20:30Ztag:theconversation.com,2011:article/1005512018-07-26T14:20:30Z2018-07-26T14:20:30ZRevisiting Nelson Mandela’s roots: a photographic exploration<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/229418/original/file-20180726-106505-1gq3tsm.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Fertile valleys in rural Eastern Cape where Nelson Mandela was born.
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Bonile Bam</span></span></figcaption></figure><p><em>South African photographer, Bonile Bam, decided that he wanted to tell a different Nelson Mandela story by documenting the landscape and physical setting in which Mandela lived as a boy. Like Mandela, Bam also grew up in the Eastern Cape province. The entirely black and white photographs will form part of an upcoming <a href="http://www.polity.org.za/article/exhibition-of-photographic-works-on-nelson-mandelas-roots-revisited-by-bonile-bam-2018-07-23">exhibition</a> in Johannesburg called Mandela’s Roots (revisited). Raymond Suttner interviewed Bam on his photography and how he came to develop the Mandela exhibition, which coincides with Mandela’s birth 100 years ago.</em></p>
<hr>
<p><strong>How did you come to focus on Mandela?</strong></p>
<p>In 2003, I had the privilege of working for the <em>Sunday Times</em> newspaper in Johannesburg. During that period, I read a lot of articles about Madiba but he had already retired from politics.</p>
<p>A phone call from the Nelson Mandela Foundation requesting me to be an official photographer for the event where Madiba was meeting his guests, played a huge part in my career. </p>
<p><strong>Did you get a chance to talk to Madiba?</strong></p>
<figure class="align-right ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/229308/original/file-20180725-194146-ngk1zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/229308/original/file-20180725-194146-ngk1zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229308/original/file-20180725-194146-ngk1zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229308/original/file-20180725-194146-ngk1zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=900&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229308/original/file-20180725-194146-ngk1zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229308/original/file-20180725-194146-ngk1zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229308/original/file-20180725-194146-ngk1zw.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1131&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Bonile Bam.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Supplied</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>At the end of the event, Mandela, spoke to me and said, “Good to see you young man, I’m glad you came.” </p>
<p>Smiling, he continued, “You must treat a camera like a key, it will unlock many doors for you.”</p>
<p>That was a turning point in my life. Being in the presence of a man who sacrificed everything on earth in order to help liberate his country from the chains of apartheid – was exceptional. After hearing stories and struggles he had gone through as a young boy, I took it upon myself to trace his roots in the Eastern Cape.</p>
<p><strong>Was this not a difficult task?</strong></p>
<p>I could not travel to Mvezo, Qunu and Mqhekezweni (Eastern Cape towns) and just start pointing a camera at people. On my trip, I met with elders of the Madiba clan (Mandela’s clan). Arriving there with a camera ready to photograph preserved sites would be seen as a sign of disrespect and undermining the community. My attempt was to move with caution and allow the story to unfold.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/229305/original/file-20180725-194155-14g5v8s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/229305/original/file-20180725-194155-14g5v8s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=403&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229305/original/file-20180725-194155-14g5v8s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=403&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229305/original/file-20180725-194155-14g5v8s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=403&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229305/original/file-20180725-194155-14g5v8s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=506&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229305/original/file-20180725-194155-14g5v8s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=506&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229305/original/file-20180725-194155-14g5v8s.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=506&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Authentic remains of the house where Nelson Mandela was born in 1918.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Bonile Bam</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>As an observer with a camera, the ability to speak and write is not enough. I needed to listen. The elders who grew up with Madiba pointed in the direction of Mvezo. When I gathered enough material, I knew it was time to get going. </p>
<p>On my arrival, in June 2005, I was freezing from the shoulders down to my toes. My fingertips were shrinking and becoming stiffer the closer I got to his birth place. The houses were dark but I could only identify slow movement of livestock passing far away. The path I walked through was dry and dusty with some parts of rough stones. I desperately needed a cup of coffee to stay warm but the sun was beginning to crack between clouds. The sound of the birds and Mbashe River kept me going.</p>
<p><strong>On what were you focused?</strong></p>
<p>My point of interest was to find the remains of the house where Madiba’s umbilical cord was hidden in 1918 – and related things in the surroundings.</p>
<p>Meanwhile, the livestock were grazing lazily in the fields. I had to stop and appreciate the view. In the village, it would be rude of a stranger to leave a place without speaking to the people on the road side. I was interested in documenting life, values, landscape, spaces, objects, specific textures and history of the place.</p>
<p>It was time to move to Qunu. Here, the Madibas dominate large part of the social landscape. Beautiful or not – a place in any part of the world is defined by human experience and knowledge brought to it. </p>
<p><strong>Why do you think we can interpret Mandela through his early physical surroundings?</strong></p>
<p>Clearly, it’s hard to measure a person of Madiba’s stature against nature. The streams and footpaths where he played traditional stick-fight with other boys, hunted rabbits, knocked birds (out of the sky) and herded his father’s cattle is seen not far away from his home. In my visits there, I sensed an element of harmony and respect for tradition.</p>
<figure class="align-center ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/229307/original/file-20180725-194131-yc749q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/229307/original/file-20180725-194131-yc749q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=402&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229307/original/file-20180725-194131-yc749q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=402&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229307/original/file-20180725-194131-yc749q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=402&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229307/original/file-20180725-194131-yc749q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=505&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229307/original/file-20180725-194131-yc749q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=505&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229307/original/file-20180725-194131-yc749q.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=505&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">The Julukuqu mountain in Mqhekezweni - where Nelson Mandela grew up.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Bonile Bam</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>In Mqhekezweni, where Madiba grew up after the passing of his father, a rondavel (bungalow) and church are testimony to what influenced his life long before politics took centre stage.</p>
<figure class="align-left ">
<img alt="" src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/229309/original/file-20180725-194128-1kqzva1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=237&fit=clip" srcset="https://images.theconversation.com/files/229309/original/file-20180725-194128-1kqzva1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=600&h=897&fit=crop&dpr=1 600w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229309/original/file-20180725-194128-1kqzva1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=600&h=897&fit=crop&dpr=2 1200w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229309/original/file-20180725-194128-1kqzva1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=600&h=897&fit=crop&dpr=3 1800w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229309/original/file-20180725-194128-1kqzva1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=754&h=1128&fit=crop&dpr=1 754w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229309/original/file-20180725-194128-1kqzva1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=30&auto=format&w=754&h=1128&fit=crop&dpr=2 1508w, https://images.theconversation.com/files/229309/original/file-20180725-194128-1kqzva1.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=15&auto=format&w=754&h=1128&fit=crop&dpr=3 2262w" sizes="(min-width: 1466px) 754px, (max-width: 599px) 100vw, (min-width: 600px) 600px, 237px">
<figcaption>
<span class="caption">Natural sculpture in Mvezo.</span>
<span class="attribution"><span class="source">Bonile Bam</span></span>
</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Going outside, the twin gumtrees maintained their majestic appeal. This is where Madiba was groomed to be an advisor to Acting Regent Chief Jongintaba Dalindyebo long before Madiba became a symbol of democracy and freedom.</p>
<p><strong>Why do you think the photographs are important?</strong></p>
<p>These photographs matter because they tell a story about a place, a man and his identity at a certain point in time. In my view, the pictures depicted here are much more than a simple record of home. They reflect values, history and lifestyle.</p>
<p>Madiba was a humanist. However, some people have a basic knowledge of where he came from and who he was but in reality, not much is known about the settings that shaped his childhood. </p>
<p>This body of work attempts to reveal his origins.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/100551/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Raymond Suttner does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>Photographs tell the story of Nelson Mandela the humanist and take us into the settings that shaped his childhood.Raymond Suttner, Emeritus Professor, University of South Africa and Visiting professor and strategic advisor in Faculty of Humanities., University of JohannesburgLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/830502017-08-27T09:56:33Z2017-08-27T09:56:33ZWhat Barack Obama’s record breaking Mandela tweet tells us about the world<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/183444/original/file-20170825-1045-mehz1b.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">Barack Obama on a 2013 visit to South Africa.</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Kim Ludbrook/EPA</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>What is it about former US President Barack Obama’s <a href="https://www.cnbc.com/2017/08/15/obamas-charlottesville-response-could-be-the-most-popular-tweet-ever.html">record-setting</a> tweet – it has already surpassed 1.6 million retweets and 4.5 million “likes” – that has captured the imagination of the world? </p>
<p>In the tweet Obama quoted Nelson Mandela:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>No one is born hating another person because of the colour of his skin or his background or his religion … People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love … For love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"896523232098078720"}"></div></p>
<p>Judging by the replies and comments, the tweet seems to have offered some respite to the rapid depletion in social morale in the US after the recent <a href="https://theconversation.com/us/search?utf8=%E2%9C%93&q=Charlottesville">Charlottesville violence</a>. White supremacists <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/23/donald-trump-arizona-rally-phoenix">gathered</a> in the Virginia town for a “Unite the Right” <a href="https://www.vox.com/identities/2017/8/16/16155942/charlottesville-protests-nazis-vice">rally</a> on August 12 to protest against plans to remove the statue of the Confederacy general, Robert E Lee. The violent extremists chanted racist and pro-Nazi slogans.</p>
<p>One of them, James Fields (20), allegedly <a href="https://www.vox.com/policy-and-politics/2017/8/12/16138900/charlottesville-va-car-crash">rammed</a> a car into anti-fascist demonstrators, killing activist, <a href="http://edition.cnn.com/2017/08/13/us/charlottesville-heather-heyer-profile/index.html">Heather Heyer</a> (32).</p>
<p>Then came the current US President Donald Trump’s <a href="https://www.vox.com/2017/8/12/16138896/trump-speech-charlottesville-many-sides">press statement</a> that effectively legitimised the racism as perpetuated by the rightwingers:</p>
<blockquote>
<p>We’re closely following the terrible events unfolding in Charlottesville, Virginia. We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides, on many sides.</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Why did the Mandela words resonate now?</p>
<h2>Obama’s stroke of genius</h2>
<p>Amid incredulous scenes of flagrant neo-Nazism – incredulous, that is, in an era of progressive human rights – and the inevitable and necessary protest against the rally, the words of Nelson Mandela resounded with a gentle wisdom and a kindly warning.</p>
<p>It was not so much a case of Obama simply not being able to find the correct words to respond to such a loathsome occurrence. After all it’s not uncommon to use someone else’s words or sentiment to make a statement on social media. I too have done this on occasion. </p>
<p>In this instance, however, the use of Mandela’s words was calculated. Strategically speaking, it was a stroke of genius.</p>
<p>Articulating the poignant message as a “direct quote” tweet enabled Obama to pass on a discreet message saturated with meaning because of its content and because it was attributed to its originator. </p>
<p>But, as we have seen on Obama’s timeline, the direct-quote tweet was given added meaning because of who had sent it, and its timing. </p>
<p>The <a href="https://www.nelsonmandela.org/">Nelson Mandela Foundation</a> sent out the same quote as a tweet on 29 July. But it enjoyed just over 1,100 “likes”, 18 replies and 737 retweets. While this is obviously related to the number of followers, the point is that the overwhelming global resonance with the quote via Obama’s twitter timeline, is not simply because of its content, as profound as it is.</p>
<p><div data-react-class="Tweet" data-react-props="{"tweetId":"891307244209491968"}"></div></p>
<p>In this case, Obama may have chosen these words precisely because they offered some distance from the political space in America. Had he tweeted a strong and powerful message in his own name or using his own words – which he is clearly skilled at doing – the message may have been regarded as merely playing the opposition card, or indeed, more likely, the race card. Either of these two imaginary readings would inevitably have been shut down either by political loyalists or increasingly courageous racists. </p>
<p>By using Mandela’s quote as a response to Charlottesville, Obama maintained a sophisticated balancing act, while offering a few poignant messages of his own:</p>
<ul>
<li><p>America is at risk of legitimising racial hatred in much the same way as South Africa did during apartheid;</p></li>
<li><p>Far-right conservative politics erodes the natural inclination of the human condition towards compassion; and</p></li>
<li><p>Trump’s views represent irresponsible leadership, and are a veritable seedbed for social hostility.</p></li>
</ul>
<p>Perhaps that is why the echoed words of Mandela caused such an outpouring of support and resonance among twitterati. It said what progressively-minded individuals wanted to say, but simply couldn’t find the words. </p>
<h2>Moral authority</h2>
<p>I think the tweet raises another interesting sociological point about moral authority. In a context in which there is such a deflation of morale – such as the violence in Charlottesville and the blatantly irresponsible <a href="https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2017/aug/23/donald-trump-arizona-rally-phoenix">responses</a> from Trump – any sound-minded progressive individual might hope, or even pray, for some kind of voice of reason.</p>
<p>Under normal circumstances, and especially in a <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/US/story?id=90356">predominantly Christian society</a> such as the US, this voice of reason may be found in the Bible. But the right wing rally-goers had traded its life force for a narrative of exclusion that supported their bigotry. Invoking the words of the venerated icon Mandela, then, offered the necessary kind of gravitas or moral weight. </p>
<p>I can’t help but consider how Mandela’s legacy continues to offer respite to the world, though sometimes in quite different ways. In one case, it is Obama’s political wisdom that prompts him to use the words of Mandela to balance out rising social discontent, and to challenge racial hatred. </p>
<p>In another case, just under our noses, the African National Congress (ANC) with its increasingly <a href="https://theconversation.com/south-africas-governing-anc-buys-itself-time-as-the-unravelling-begins-56627">dishonourable</a> political leadership, <a href="https://businesstech.co.za/news/government/129368/vote-anc-do-it-for-madiba-zuma/">invokes</a> Mandela’s legacy to balance out rising social discontent about its own moral bankruptcy. Perhaps Mandela too, is, tragically, a man for all seasons.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/83050/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Caryn Abrahams is an academic based at Wits University - at the School of Governance - and is affiliated with the Anti-racism Network of South Africa (ARNSA). </span></em></p>Barack Obama may have chosen Mandela’s words for his tweet precisely because they offered some distance from the political space in the US.Caryn Abrahams, Senior lecturer, School of Governance, University of the WitwatersrandLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.tag:theconversation.com,2011:article/807802017-07-17T14:49:29Z2017-07-17T14:49:29ZThe best way South Africans can honour Mandela is by being active citizens<figure><img src="https://images.theconversation.com/files/178432/original/file-20170717-23045-1qxlxnn.jpg?ixlib=rb-1.1.0&q=45&auto=format&w=496&fit=clip" /><figcaption><span class="caption">
</span> <span class="attribution"><span class="source">Reuters/Mike Hutchings</span></span></figcaption></figure><p>As one of the iconic leaders of the 20th century, <a href="http://www.sahistory.org.za/people/nelson-rolihlahla-mandela">Nelson Mandela</a> fought for democracy, justice, peace and reconciliation. He showed the world what it meant to live a life in the <a href="https://www.mandeladay.com/">service of others</a>.</p>
<p>In his own unique way, Mandela helped to restore the world’s trust and confidence in South Africa after apartheid. To honour his legacy the United Nations in 2009, decided that July 18, his birthday, would be <a href="https://www.mandeladay.com/">Mandela Day</a>.</p>
<p>People in 149 countries mark the day by taking time out to help others. As <a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2013/12/06/nelson-mandela-madiba-meaning/3889469/">Madiba</a> – his clan name derived from his Xhosa ancestry – has shown, everyone has the ability and responsibility to help change the world for the better. </p>
<p>This year the <a href="https://www.nelsonmandela.org/">Nelson Mandela Foundation</a> is encouraging people to specifically take action <a href="http://www.krepublishers.com/02-Journals/JSS/JSS-34-0-000-13-Web/JSS-34-2-000-13-Abst-PDF/JSS-34-2-145-13-1393-Sekhampu-T-J/JSS-34-2-145-13-1393-Sekhampu-T-J-Tx%5B6%5D.pmd.pdf">against poverty</a>. More than 63% of South African children live in poverty; one in five - 12 million - South Africans live in <a href="http://www.news24.com/SouthAfrica/News/63-of-young-sa-children-live-in-poverty-study-20160513">extreme poverty</a>.</p>
<p>Despite the positive impact of <a href="http://scholar.sun.ac.za/handle/10019.1/6653">social grants</a>, poverty continues to halt progress in South Africa. Only through sustained development can it be eradicated to ensure a <a href="https://www.mandeladay.com/">dignified life</a> for all.</p>
<p>South Africa could do with its citizens becoming more active. In Brazil popular movements have worked with business elites to redistribute wealth and opportunity in a society that’s as unequal as South Africa. Without exception, development - particularly efforts to tackle poverty and inequality - is best achieved through a combination of <a href="https://www.oxfamamerica.org/static/media/files/From_Poverty_to_Power_2nd_Edition.pdf">active citizenship and effective states</a>.</p>
<p>South Africa needs a brave and moral leadership to redirect its citizens (and politicians) to fight the scourge of poverty through development. Moral leadership has the ability to educate and activate communities to restore human dignity. </p>
<h2>Positive publicity and effective governance</h2>
<p>The country’s <a href="http://www.gov.za/sites/www.gov.za/files/Executive%20Summary-NDP%202030%20-%20Our%20future%20-%20make%20it%20work.pdf">National Development Plan</a> aims to eliminate poverty and reduce inequality by 2030. South Africa can realise these goals by drawing on the energies of its people. The country also needs to grow an inclusive economy, build capabilities, enhance the capacity of the state, and promote leadership and partnerships throughout society. </p>
<p>The plan makes it clear that to accelerate development, all South Africans must come on board. Leadership in all sectors must also put the country’s collective interests ahead of narrow, short-term goals. </p>
<p>This will require policy changes, the implementation of government programmes and holding people - especially political leaders - accountable for their actions. Also sorely needed are innovative solutions to complex challenges like <a href="https://theconversation.com/how-current-measures-underestimate-the-level-of-poverty-in-south-africa-46704?sa=pg2&sq=poverty&sr=3">poverty</a>, <a href="https://africacheck.org/factsheets/factsheet-unemployment-statistics-in-south-africa-explained/">unemployment</a> an <a href="https://www.businesslive.co.za/bd/national/2017-01-16-sas-rich-poor-gap-is-far-worse-than-feared-says-oxfam-inequality-report/">inequality</a>.</p>
<p>South Africa urgently needs to recover from the damage caused by <a href="http://www.politicsweb.co.za/opinion/how-zumafication-happened">“Zumafication”</a> – where its president is accused of running the country through personal networks of favouritism and cronyism. John Wallis, the founder of <a href="http://peoplecapital.yolasite.com/resources/D-Open%20Letters.Vol-1.pp.67-76-D-.pdf">The People Capital Project SA</a> says some members of President Jacob Zuma’s executive have become tainted as corrupt and untrustworthy kleptocrats. </p>
<p>Many promises, scenario plans and forecasts have not been translated into homegrown and concrete development proposals, backed by a robust development curriculum, to help South Africa turn the socio-economic corner. The country has yet to be characterised by high levels of innovation, equality, opportunities, economic justice and human rights.</p>
<p>As such, the hopes and expectations of the poor have collapsed, leaving them even poorer (and less productive) than they previously were.</p>
<p>Zuma has become a prisoner of his own making - both the tool and agent of a self-serving political elite, amid growing <a href="http://panmacmillan.bookslive.co.za/blog/2009/05/28/moeletsi-mbekis-architects-of-poverty-why-africas-capitalism-needs-changing/">poverty and hunger</a>. </p>
<p>How long can this go on before the country’s economy – already <a href="https://mg.co.za/article/2017-07-04-00-godongwana-anc-is-clueless-about-sas-economic-challenges/%E2%80%8B">in the doldrums</a> – implodes, and a deep rooted entitlement inspired complacency turns into social upheaval? </p>
<h2>Honouring Mandela’s legacy</h2>
<p>This state of affairs often leads to secrecy, deep political factions, <a href="http://pari.org.za/betrayal-promise-report/">state capture, looting and corruption</a>, as already seen. The growing dispossession of citizens amid growing accumulation by a few elites results in growing economic injustice, leaving more people on the fringes of society.</p>
<p>Where the state and corporate bosses are only driven by financial growth and gain, without coupling it with productive development projects, they hold the down-trodden to ransom.</p>
<p>South Africans can no longer standby and watch their “house” burn. To truly honour Mandela’s legacy, they should espouse the values of active citizenship and help restore the world’s confidence in their country. Otherwise, they’ll continue barking at the moon.</p><img src="https://counter.theconversation.com/content/80780/count.gif" alt="The Conversation" width="1" height="1" />
<p class="fine-print"><em><span>Chris Jones does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.</span></em></p>To honour the legacy of Nelson Mandela, South Africa could do with its citizens becoming more active in driving development - particularly efforts to tackle poverty an inequality.Chris Jones, Academic project leader in the Department of Practical Theology and Missiology, Stellenbosch UniversityLicensed as Creative Commons – attribution, no derivatives.