By The death of former Minister Mr Pravin Gordhan has sparked much debate in the country, as expected given his calibre and contribution towards the liberation of black South Africans and the building and shaping of democracy.
The world is changing very fast as we now leave in global society that enjoys human rights, including the freedom of expression. To a degree, some expressions, especially towards the dead and in sympathy of their families, according to African culture, some opinions are reserved and are or even buried with the deceased.
For eons it has been viewed inhuman to speak ill of the dead, irrespective of their reputation during their life time. To a point, back in the 80’s and 90’s, when someone has passed away in our street, we would avoid making noise by all means a sign of respect to the family that has lost a loved one.
Even when a hearse passes by followed by the funeral convoy, we would sit down until it passes as a sign of respect. During the funeral, only good things were said about the late person, even when they are known criminals, we were always told that they are in heaven; never in my life have I ever heard that someone has gone to hell. Even criminals have ambitions to go to heaven when they die.
The question for me now is, when someone dies, and when we pay tribute, do we then paint the person as an angel at the expense of principle and integrity, or we tell the truth at the expense of culture?
Principle demands that one be truthful at all times, but this can be viewed as disrespect as it defies the norms of culture and society. Culture and principle may come to a cross road at some point and one will have to choose which way to go.
Leaders came out to pay their tribute to Gordhan, they related how he played a pivotal role during the struggle and has had the toughest jobs in leading state owned entities in including SARS; however, in a twist of events, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) said they note his death with no sense of sorrow.
The party accused him of serious things including that of selling out South Africans, being part of a secret Indian cabal in the 80’s that was notorious in persecuting Mama Winnie Mandela and many more other dirty laundry they laid out for everyone to see.
Is this stance by the EFF then a matter of principle or utter disrespect towards Pravin Gordhan and his family, and probably the country as well? Not all people will have the same experience with the same person; to some he was a good hard working person, still to some he was bad person.
At the end of the day, with a changing world, one will have to choose to whether follow the norms of society and culture, or be principled and tell the truth without being bias or afraid of criticism.
