In one of those days when I felt particularly patriotic (Yes, I am a good student), I stumbled across Don’s Wanyama’s blog, was laughed hysterically when I read the African proverb on at the top of his page “However much the buttocks are in a hurry, they will always remain behind.”... I thought that was very funny! It made my mind go in a few circles, wondering of the many people who are on a road going nowhere...and thus will always be left behind!
But that is fodder for another day!
I was impressed by Don’s analysis of the Teddy Cheeye’s debacle and the source of his perceived arrogance. But one thing that took my particularly attention, when at the emd of the article, he asked the question “...can we say the time to shake the status quo has begun? Or was he a mere sacrificial lamb??”
And I would like to give my thoughts to this. I believe that it is time to shake the status quo. But not in the way you think. Before we even go there to confront people, and tell them how they need to change. We need to start with ourselves.
I think we ourselves need to have the courage to look at ourselves critically and realise that many times we are living comfortably within the same status quo that we are telling others to leave. Charity has got to begin at home.
Now you might wax lyrical about how good you are, and tell me that you have not YET stole any millions of funds, or constructed shoddy roads. The question is, how many times have you refused to give a bribe when asked for one? Did you give that the traffic policeman 5,000/= because you were trying to avoid the longer, more painful and very inconvinient route! Well, the bad news is that you contributed to corruption. I know, we are guilty of this many times! The most important thing is admitting ths fault and doing something about it!
We have given in so many times to the demands of the society. I am not saying that I am innocent, I have been guilty many times, and I have realised that change has got to start with me. My attitudes! As long as I beleive that nothing can be archieved without corruption, then I am an utter failure and should as well wallow in it. But I should retain that little hope, and have the courage in the face of daversity to say "YES, WE CAN do it the honest way and still succeed"
Has there ever been a time when you hired the right candidate, the best candidate even if it means leaving out your relative in the cold. This requires courage....but it is the price for change. How many times have you asked the question “Whom do you know there?” whenever there was a rumour of a bid, job, or an event you wanted!
As the bible rightly put it...the truth is not out there, but right here...in front of us!
