South Africa in the early years of freedom was looked up to as an example of justice and hope for all. Everyone wanted to be photographed with Nelson Mandela. South African representation for woman and LGBTQ+ was an example to others. In the last 2 decades we have seen corruption, mismanagement and lawlessness result in poor growth and a weaker economy that is disabled by a broken power grid.
This has been like watching a slow motion train crash. Each stage was avoidable but failing to fix it early piled on the cost to repair the problem and stop the decline. Now load shedding is a daily occurrence. There is no hint of improvement. The government has a land rich in natural resources, bursting with creative people and with natural beauty that attracts millions of visitors. Yet it is looking toward corrupt, criminal regimes like Putin's Russia and hoping for handouts from China.
When Russia invaded Ukraine in February 2022 I was offended by the act of brutal imperialism. Russia had been interfering in Ukraine for years and in 2014 annexed a large territory of Ukraine called Crimea. Putin has been on a mission to build a Russia that fulfils his geopolitical view of the world. He has systematically moved Russia toward a corrupt dictatorship with a news agenda set by the state and with all opposition suppressed or jailed.
I was offended by the invasion because Ukraine is a peaceful civilized country and as a neighbour to Russia has many family links and relationships; it is simply an act of ego driven insanity to plan and then execute the plan to bomb and kill your neighbour to grow your territory. This seemed to have echoes of WW2 and Hitler's crazy plans. I was offended because many would die and suffer when the world was in a perilous place facing climate change and the need for unity.
I began to see the world divide into 2 groups - 1. those opposed to Russian brutality and 2. those who were neutral or supportive. While the size of group 2. was small it was disturbing that countries could support the invasion of a peaceful neighbour. This was an illegal act.
I was confused when SA refused to condemn Russian aggregation, by abstaining in UN votes calling for Russia to withdraw. My dismay continued when SA joined in naval military exercises with Russia and China. I was confused and ashamed of my country when I have always been so proud of the democracy we had become in 1994.
I didn't realise how far the SA government had moved away from justice and fairness until the International Criminal Court found Putin guilty of war crimes, which means that he is eligible for arrest if he enters any country that is a member of the ICC. SA has long been a member of the ICC and we have played a role in establishing the procedures. However, since the ruling against Putin, SA has talked of leaving the ICC.
Wake up SA! Your country is beguiled by an evil dictator. Your government is drawing you into his orbit where you will see that corruption and lies will drive you into dispair and into a lawless state.
