A nation divided against itself cannot stand

Since the dawn of democracy, I have met, shaken hands and embraced many people who respond to my greeting with the refrain: “Why complain? Nobody listens.”

It’s an expression of frustration towards their leaders in political organisations, companies, churches and government. This expression is not only about disappointment, but also borders on cynicism. They feel nobody cares about the issues that give them sleepless nights such as lack of service delivery, corruption, police brutality, crime and unemployment. They are therefore swelling the ranks of the hopeless.

Unfortunately, this feeling of self-resignation and passive attitude has infiltrated the psyche of many people who are now resigning themselves to the fact that the country is going to the dogs — and they can do nothing to rescue it from the brink.

They are men, women, youth and even children who have chosen to keep quiet because they are afraid that if they dare speak up or confront injustice, they will be silenced by being shot in the chest in broad daylight under the full glare of TV cameras. And nothing will be done about it and even if something gets done it would be post facto, and therefore why should they subject themselves to trouble in the first place.

In all sectors of society people are retreating into sulking and silence. We should be afraid because we do not know what they are plotting.

The agenda of most folks rotates around opening their eyes and ears to all of the evidence that show how, largely, they have been betrayed by the people in whom they had faith.

Of course, they are concerned that their hopes and aspirations for a better life with employment, decent homes, well-built streets and roads, good schools and education for their children, health facilities and a worthwhile life with human rights have, largely, come to naught.

This is what they mean when they say, “What is the point of complaining? Nobody listens.”

Most of the time this self-resignation makes it difficult to continue with the art of conversation as it leaves you with nothing to say.

The divide between the leaders or respectable members of society and ordinary folks is there for everyone to see.

In fact, it is the hottest issue that rages in all communities now. We have now become a house divided against itself. And a nation divided against itself cannot stand.

There is no better example of this, for instance, than self-appointed leaders in organisations who bulldoze their way to power and position only to have their own members file suits to stop them from what amounts to dictatorship.

Of course, the standard argument is that if you are a member of a political party you must always abide by the rules and be guided by what the leadership has to say.

But the notion of democratic centralism obliterates the idea of empowering the people to choose for themselves what they want and identify leaders that they believe will deliver the Promised Land.

The majority of people want to carry on with their lives — essentially going to work — at least for those lucky enough to have jobs — to provide for their beloved families. They are not particularly interested in wrangling for power.

But if they have a chance, they will identify and choose the leaders that they want for themselves.

Unfortunately, there will always be those who believe that they know better than everybody simply because they hold positions of power and influence.

As a result, there are a lot of people who have nothing to say except, “What is the use of complaining? Nobody listens”.

This is a telltale sign that after 17 years, people are sick and tired of empty promises and the careless attitude of those they put their trust in.

They do not want to waste their breath in big political talk and analysis.

Instead, they want action. And nobody knows exactly what that action will entail in the end, save to say that the dark clouds are gathering above our heads.

And this is not comforting!