Historian Don H Doyle’s ‘The Age of Reconstruction’ tells a story of Lincon’s assassination and other events that drove European empires out of the Americas, hastened the end of slavery in Latin America and ignited a host of Democratic reforms in Europe. We may very well be entering an Age of Reconstruction in South Africa.
Looped in an endless cycle of bad news regarding the brick-by-brick demolition of our country and its economy we have come to a place where we simply expect more of the same. Almost like the citizens of Israel who were locked in a vise grip by surrounding enemies – especially those on their bordering North and South. Focused almost entirely on the most imminent attack from the North, they did not see October 7, 2023, and the deadliest strike yet on Jews since the Holocaust. But this tragedy also sparked some of the most innovative approaches to warfare the world has seen to date. Agree or disagree with what they stand for, their beliefs or methods but you cannot disagree with the fact that they shattered paradigms.
Likewise, none really saw the second term of President Donald J Trump nor his first month in office - which rung in changes that will echo for decades to come. One of those the unexcepted executive order addressing human rights violations in South Africa – and this time those perpetuated under the redressing of past injustices, including an expropriation of property act as well as government policies ‘designed to dismantle equal opportunity and employment, education and business.’
Leaders lead, and all would like to have a spectacular A team to realise their vision, strategy and plans. But often leaders get the hand that they were dealt - as in the case of David who escaped to the cave of Adullam where he was joined by all those who were in destress or in debt or discontented – a motley 400. We encounter them again later were many of them are mentioned by name and referred to as David’s Mighty Men. That is leadership.
We now have an opportunity in South Africa to rebuild, and to do so on the solid foundation of values completely forgotten during recent decades: Christian, Free Market Economy and Rule of Law. It may very well be that those committed to do so are very small in number, with teams even akin to David’s crew. But for courageous leaders a time such as this represents what Mao Zedong called:
“There is great chaos under heaven… The situation is excellent.”
Albie Heigers
6 March 2025
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