On the weekend, I returned to South Africa after spending a week with colleagues from around the world at a superb gathering in India.
The purpose of the gathering was to discuss leadership in an increasingly fragmented and polarised world. I arrived in India to the news of the assassination of liquidator Cloete Murray and his son, Thomas.
I knew Cloete well from his work in the liquidation of Bosasa. He and Thomas were decent, hard-working men who believed they had a purpose of tracking the assets of unsavoury characters to safeguard the jobs of companies in crisis.
A few days later, my colleagues and I stared aghast at the unfolding drama of a rapist and murderer named Thabo Bester, who faked his death and escaped from a private prison in Bloemfontein, no doubt with the assistance of people in authority.
Referring to South Africa as an evolving mafia state was not an exaggeration.
Then I started to listen to my colleagues from around the world; the United States, Latin America, Asia and the Middle East. And it helped me gain some perspective in a troublesome time for our beloved land.
We are not alone. The world is under increasing pressure from anti-democratic forces, often in cahoots with criminal syndicates, campaigning under populist banners.
In many countries, the rule of law, or at least some parts of it, has utterly broken down. It has become normalised to bribe police and traffic officers and pay your way into school admission for your child. Journalists are randomly killed, and you can go to jail (or disappear) for criticising the president.
In Israel, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is on trial for corruption, is pushing through legislation that will diminish the judicial power of courts and make it impossible for the supreme court to overturn laws passed by parliament.
Visa rejected twice
In India, opposition Congress party leader Rahul Gandhi was convicted of criminal defamation after joking about people with the surname "Modi" being thieves (the Indian prime minister is Narendra Modi). My own application for an Indian visa was rejected twice, and I was required to submit an official letter stating I would not be practising journalism in India before I was granted access to the country.
In the United States, former president Donald Trump has warned the Manhattan District Attorney that "death and destruction" would follow him being criminally charged for the alleged hush money he paid to porn star, Stormy Daniels.
My colleagues from around the world listened in shock as I spoke about South Africa's challenges and slide into a mafia state. They were perplexed how we had slipped from being a global icon in 1994 to being greylisted 29 years later for not complying with international standards countering money laundering and funding terrorism.
They still held South Africa in high esteem – and for a good reason. As we revisited the miracle story of South Africa's relatively peaceful negotiated transition to a constitutional democracy, I was reminded of the immense sacrifices millions made to move us from a pariah state to a global leader.
Yes, we have squandered much of that goodwill over the past three decades, but we are not a failed state. Despite our significant challenges, like the energy crisis, infrastructure collapse and increased organised crime, our Constitution remains a beacon of hope and inspiration to the world.
The willingness of all South Africans to avert a civil war and move forward through an imperfect process of truth and reconciliation still inspires millions worldwide. I firmly believe most South Africans remain good, law-abiding people who essentially want the same things: a job, a house, food and quality education for their children.
Strong institutions of democracy
LGBTQIA+ couples continue to travel to South Africa to get married. Our Constitution guarantees fundamental rights like access to quality education and housing. We have strong institutions of democracy, like an independent National Prosecuting Authority and Public Protector, that are allowed to rule against any politician, including the president.
We can write what we like, and Section 16 of the Constitution safeguards the freedom of the media.
We have world-class organisations, companies and people running schools, businesses, universities and non-profit entities in South Africa. The fact that the ANC has failed to deliver basic services to millions of people and is increasingly making populist noises is a cause for concern but certainly not a reason to give up hope.
In fact, there has never been a better time to take pride in our country, its people and Constitution and fight for the future of our children and our land. Next year, we can vote the ANC out of power if we so wish.
Albeit imperfect, our electoral system will allow independent candidates to run for a seat in Parliament next year. If you can gather enough signatures and about 60 000 votes, you will probably be elected to represent your community in Parliament.
If politics is not your thing, join an NPO like the Gift of the Givers, Defend our Democracy, Freedom Under Law, OUTA, the Kolisi Foundation, Section27, Ladles of Love or any other organisation that needs your skills and money. Support journalists by subscribing to news websites like News24 that shine a light on corruption and power abuse. Strengthen their hand to keep our democracy vibrant and our institutions accountable.
As I wrote this column, I watched the Proteas achieve the unthinkable by chasing an enormous 259-run target set by the West Indies during their T20 match in Centurion. Against all odds, Quinton de Kock and his teammates broke world records as they smashed their way to victory.
Let's emulate the Proteas and bring hope to this nation that remains a lodestar to the world.
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