President, you did what you had to do

The Star

4 days ago

Faced with deepening public distrust, political decay, and mounting pressure from both civil society and the global community, you made a long overdue move. Whether it was the appointment of new leadership in a critical institution, the announcement of a fresh inquiry, or an attempt to reform failing systems, you didn't have much of a choice.
But the question now is: can this effort gain traction in time?
South Africans are not short on patience. We waited through the painstaking revelations of the Zondo Commission. We watched damning evidence pile up, expecting swift justice and systemic reform. Yet years later, we still ask: where are the arrests? Where is the action? Where is the transformation?
The announcement, though necessary, is not enough. Not anymore.
The timelines between political will and actual change in this country have become alarmingly wide. For every new committee or task force, there's a growing list of unfinished business recommendations unimplemented, whistleblowers unprotected, and citizens left in the dark. While your intentions may be genuine, Mr President, history has taught us to be cautious with our optimism.
The country is weary. Corruption has not only stolen billions it has also stolen hope. It has left our institutions fragile and our faith in leadership fractured. So, yes, you've made the right move. But now, every delay, every excuse, every silence will be a choice. A choice to let rot continue, to let impunity flourish, and to watch yet another reform effort lose steam.
Real leadership requires more than commissions and declarations. It requires follow-through, transparency, and the courage to upset the political apple cart even if it means confronting those within your own house.
We are running out of time. If we want to rebuild trust in our institutions, we need bold execution, not bureaucratic theatre. We need urgency, not ambiguity. And above all, we need to know that when leaders speak, they mean business, not just business as usual.
The window to act is closing. And this time, the country is watching with clear eyes and tired hearts.
I had written an article with the hope that the Zondo Commission recommendations would be implemented, and for a while, we saw no follow-through. That hope, shared by millions of South Africans, was slowly replaced by frustration. The gap between revelation and justice widened. It became clear that exposing the truth was only the beginning and that the real test would be in the making.
In closing, Mr President, let us use this period to act.
Nyaniso Qwesha