Mandela And Tutu Should Speak Out Against Corruption In South Africa

One of the most deadly epidemics that is eating at the very fabric of South African society today is corruption. Even though the issue of racial inequality is still rampant, it is our view that both former president Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu should turn their sights against corruption in the country. It has been the bane of many African countries that states people who contributed so much in fighting colonial subjugation of Africans often maintain deadly silence when it comes to ills perpetrated by their erstwhile freedom fighters. Even scholars who are often outspoken when it comes to the pointing out the ills orchestrated on Africans by others often fail to rail against the misdeeds of their own compatriots; they instead cozy up to power. Many South African scholars are a disappointment in this regard.

Granted that Mr. Mandela is old and frail, he has been remarkably silent about some of the most pressing misdeeds of the governments that have come after him. This is especially the case with the issue of corruption which is eating at the very fabric of South African society. Archbishop Tutu, on his part, has been very outspoken when it comes to civil rights issues but hardly so about the widespread corruption which contributes to undermining the prosperity of the country. Before this cancer of corruption turns South Africa to become like most of her neighbors in sub-Saharan Africa, voices of conscience like those of Mandela and Tutu must be heard. These people are going to pass from the scene soon but before they do so they should begin another very important fight for the well being of their people - the fight against corruption.