Human Settlements Minister Tokyo Sexwale has raised an important question that South Africans are afraid to confront, let alone acknowledge.
He asked why we are so afraid of our elected officials while claiming to be in a democracy.
In his address to a church in Mthatha, Eastern Cape, yesterday, Sexwale said South Africans should do themselves a big favour and lose their "fear" if they want to see changes in their country.
"We put people in authority and we get terrified of them. You start to fear an MEC, a mayor, a minister; you fear premiers, you fear the president . we put people in power then we become afraid of them," he said.
Though Sexwale might have been on a campaign trail to win the hearts of Eastern Cape voters, his question goes to the heart of some of the problems we face as a country.
The "special" treatment we give our elected leaders has given them a false sense that they are more important than those who elected them to office.
Attend any government function and see the "master and servant" culture that has taken root.
It is embarrassing to see our mothers and fathers bow their head in deference when they are in the presence of a politician.
"Fear must not grip this land. South Africa cannot be reduced to a country of [fear]; we fear to speak now," Sexwale said.
Though respect should be accorded to every individual, irrespective of his or her social standing, our politicians, it seems, are getting more than they deserve.
We should speak out when we see corruption. We should speak out when our taxes are plundered.
Our culture calls for respect of elders, but that should not stop us asking questions of, and confronting, those elected to top positions if they fail us.
Let us join Sexwale and break our collective fear of politicians.
Speak out, South Africa, and take control of your destiny.
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