The devil we lack the zeal to fight

Ask any person if they would like to see an end to corruption and inequality and I bet they would answer with a resounding ‘Yes!’

Corruption has been identified as the major scourge afflicting our fledgling society.

I don’t understand why economic inequality is not treated with the same contempt and disdain.

It is economic inequality that leads to corruption because those who have nothing or less desire more.

Ask the same person if they would like to fight corruption to eradicate inequality, I am sure that not only will they mumble helplessly, but the answer will be a ‘No!’

Most of us are good at pointing out problems, but not willing to find solutions.

The issue of corruption and economic inequality should, rightly, cause outrage among citizens.

In fact, it should be the rallying cry for our new struggle.

Until the twin problems of corruption and economic inequality are confronted with the same vigour, there will be neither peace nor harmony in our beautiful land.

Let me clarify – it is not the ministers, MECs, mayors, senior and junior government officials who are solely responsible for the corruption in society.

If men and women live in a money-driven society that measures happiness and success through what money can buy, any conventional man or woman will succumb to temptation to steal or be corrupt, if they can.

This is no justification.

But the point is corruption thrives with ease in a dog-eat-dog world.

Far too many good men and women do nothing about corruption and inequality.

Instead, they prefer to keep silent in the face of evil.

There are far too few men and women who are recognised heroes for their public stance against corruption.

In fact, far too few are willing to even blow the whistle on corruption.

Over the past few months, the mining sector has witnessed rumblings that have not only exploded into violence and deaths, but also tarnished the image and profile of the country, threatening the future of the economy.

While many are aware of what happened, not all have bothered to establish the reason why the miners resolved to take the aggressive and violent path that bordered on self-destruction.

I am sure that some may be familiar with the unhappiness over the alleged closeness of Cosatu-affiliated National Union of Mineworkers to mine management. Reports suggest that Cosatu is a sweetheart union federation with lots of investments.

Interestingly, the story that is emerging is that workers have lost faith in a leadership that is in the pockets of management and have thus resorted to taking the bull by the horns themselves.

But what escapes most people’s minds is the fact that the mining sector is an example of the perpetuation of economic inequality.

No matter what arguments are forwarded in the name of affirmative action or black economic empowerment, this does not take away the injustice and inequality that prevails in that sector.

Far too few people enjoy the benefits and wealth accrued from mining while many suffer.

Those who support the status quo say that investors have every right to rake in money from what they put into the sector.

Sadly, this is mostly done at the expense of the workers.

Those against profit-driven behaviour rekindle the Freedom Charter that states that all people shall share in the country’s riches and push for the use of profits to promote social cohesion, justice and equality.

After all, we are striving for a just and equal society as espoused in the constitution.

Since the discovery of diamonds and gold, the mining sector has always epitomised capitalist greed and promotion of economic inequality and social injustice.

This is a serious threat to the stability of our hard-fought for democracy and freedom.

I am firmly in the against camp on this and at times like these I am not embarrassed to say workers have every right to not only stand up for their rights, but to defy and challenge the perpetuation of economic inequality.

If these men, women and their families were provided with decent living conditions that offer them a chance to a life of dignity and decency, I would not have a problem with mine bosses and executives earning R56 million a year.

As this happens 18 years into freedom, with African workers being condemned to pig-sty conditions, then it is time to draw a line in the sand.

We must reject everything that perpetuates such economic conditions and breathes new life into apartheid.

It saddens me to read that mining companies are willy-nilly firing striking workers for demanding higher wages.

This is a development that we should not allow.

It also saddens me that courts give the mining companies the right to implement such a harsh step.

It does not make things easier in our bid to move forward.

What I know is that it is the working class that – through its sacrifice, passion and commitment – delivered the new society that we all live in today.

There would be no freedom and democracy if the workers did not play a vanguard role in the struggle to establish a just and economic society.

What we are witnessing at the mines is resistance not only to exploitation, but economic inequality that enables a few blacks to get richer at the expense of hardworking men and women who cannot even provide decent shelter, clothing and food for their families.

The brutal display of power by their mining houses and force by the state cannot dismiss the fact that the mining sector is the epitome of economic inequality in the land.

Of course, there will be no nationalisation of the mines and it is perfectly understood that this is government policy.

However, if we were to give decent wages, shelter, food and improved living conditions to the miners, we would say that we are making progress.

This society will always be judged by how it treats its miners.

It is time that mining houses were judged by what they have failed to deliver against the dictates of the constitution.

l Sandile Memela is the chief director: social cohesion in the Department of Arts & Culture and writes in his personal capacity.