Now is the time to shape South Africa of the next 20 years

29 April 2014 - 09:19 By The Times Editorial
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Our decision as South Africans to choose the path less travelled proved, in the end, to be the correct one. We have just achieved 20 years of democracy and freedom without the military taking over parliament or the government declaring a state of emergency.

It is these aspects that we should celebrate, showing the world that we are indeed a nation that is transforming itself for a better tomorrow.

Every road has its stumbling blocks but we have always demonstrated our ability and zest to tackle them decisively. The spirit that got us where we are should give us the courage to move forward with the necessary speed.

Those who are negative should remember that we are a nation in transition and that things willchange. South Africa will become what we want it to be. But we cannot rest on our laurels and hope things will happen by themselves.

The political leadership we have can become only what we want it to be. Gone are the days when a group of individuals would decide what was good for us. Even the ANC is beginning to see the power of the people.

It does not help to moan and complain about the state of affairs of our country while we remain outside the public discourse .

The next 20 years should see this country at another level. The past two decades have given us a strong foundation on which to shape our future. All we demand is a leadership that is accountable.

President Jacob Zuma and his administration cannot and should not stop us from striving for a better tomorrow. The corruption scandals in the government can be defeated only by a united nation.

Zuma and his crew are just passers-by who have been elected to serve for a fixed term.

The decisions we take from today will influence the next 20 years. Let us honour former president Nelson Mandela by demanding high standards in every sphere of our administration.

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