More oft than not, the majority in every society relinquish their rights by abandoning their duties in the running of the affairs of state, the institution of good governance and the enthronement of democratic ideals. They unwittingly abdicate moral responsibility for social, political and economic outcomes. Some can’t deal with it, and many choose not to, believing that society will average itself out, as it always does. And so it takes extremities to shake the civic populace from the soporific lethargy that characterise failing societies. Politics may be a dirty word but representative governance is not a notion in need of dry cleaning. We cannot remove ourselves by six degrees from that which concerns us all and allow others to determine our future without our say. The future hangs in the balance on the thread of our conscience.

Politics is for politicians no doubt and it is a rough and tumble contact sport. It is a brutal regime in which Machiavelian tactics are normative. We can’t all be politicians. However we do have a civic responsibility to contribute our means and quota to the development of our society. We cannot leave it up to ‘them’ while we get on with our lives. There is no such thing. Societies that make such mistakes often wake up the next morning to gruesome realities.

We all have an idea of the society we want but concept must be matched with responsibility. We cannot adopt the attitude of the ostrich - hide our heads in the sand and expose our rearguard. It is indeed true that things go wrong when those who know what to do, fail to do what they need to do. The history of the Third World is replete with this tragedy. We have a moral responsibility to our nation to play our part in every way, to use our

voice, pick up our pen, hold on to our dreams of tomorrow and cherish the memories of yesteryears. We must build a virile and dynamic society where honour, valour, virtue and the principles of excellence and merit are enthroned. If we don’t do it, nobody will do it for us.

Great societies are not built by politicians. They are built by statesmen. And for statesmen to succeed they must have moral armament. A democratic order built on the principles of equity and justice is not a bargaining process. These are absolute principles predicated on the pedestal of Wisdom – the ability to choose right from wrong. When values and virtues become relative propositions, we create loopholes for men of easy virtue to ride rough shod over us. You have your voice. Use it!

We may not always be heard. Society may choose not to hear us. The din in the marketplace may be too loud to make our voices effective but ultimately, it’s not about whether they hear us or not, it’s about our conscience. Have we satisfied it? Have we done all that we can? Do we have a moral right to complain when we do not vote? More importantly, are we guilty of that which we accuse others of? Do we steal? Do we cheat? Does our end justify our means? Are we oppressive with the use of our position and advantage? Are we unjust and unfair? great societies are built by statesmen, the questions is: Are you a statesman in your corner?

We cannot continue to blame others for that which we permit or tolerate or condone. We must not complain of that which we reinforce attitudinally. Societies go bad when everyone expects the other person to do something. If the truth be told, it’s up to all of us in several ways.