Different countries use psychological operations (PSYOP) to control public opinion and to hide their shortcomings. The aim is to influence citizens’ emotions, motives and objective reasoning, which affect the behaviour of individuals, institutions, organisations and the government.
This strategy has been the instrument for a long time in SA, and it is only in the last decade where cracks are more apparent than before. The state capture report exacerbated questions around the credibility of the ruling party, and the timing of the Phala Phala farmgate brought more confusion than solutions.
People were left wondering if the RET faction is behind it or if those implicated in the state capture are trying to divert attention.
Is PSYOP at play? Twitter, a space where most young people are active, had a trend on the matter for more than a week. More than ever before, the youth of SA are engaging in political debates, and going as far as understanding disruption brought about by corruption and incompetence.
It has been 28 years since democracy was realised. Four black presidents and dozens of ministers have been in power. Countless state of nation addresses and budget speeches have been delivered, all of which never ran short of promises. What puzzles me is the style and format of debate that takes place. What kind of a debate is it that does not include experts in the field? How do our MPs understand misinformation and unrealistic promises if they are not adequately equipped?
The confusion can be seen in our fundamental principles of good governance such as ethics, efficiency, the rule of law, equity and inclusiveness, participation, fairness and accountability. Our state-owned entities are either on the brink or have collapsed. Crime is at its highest, ranging from gender-based violence to recent shootings in different parts of the country.
The Quarterly Labour Force Survey reported an unemployment rate of 63, 9% for those aged between 15-24, and 42,1% for those aged between 25 and 34 years, while the current national rate sits at 34,5%.
Our societal settings is in shambles and there is no ray of light, and worse situations are inevitable if nothing is done to properly engineer our communities. The list goes on, and I am forced to quote Marcus Aurelius, who said: “The opinion of 10,000 men is of no value if none of them know anything about the subject.”
This quote is directed to MPs and the voters, and in particular the youth of SA. But who will, and who must, come up with a solution?
Are young people aware of the value of their vote and the kind of impact it can have if casted while fully informed? Is it rational for a young person to continue recruiting people to support the ANC without Mina?
The sitting president and his predecessor have made it public knowledge that the ANC comes first.
The fact that politicians are able to convince university students using irrational means should frighten us, and we should ask ourselves if there is any political education among our communities.
My clarion call to my fellow youth is that, we must adopt a culture of critical thinking and superior logic to address our societal problems, because the willingness to continuously learn breeds a society that is willing to change. And, come voting time, we will take informed decisions that will positively impact our society.
We ought to learn from the youth of 1976, who did not follow the T-shirt politics to effect change. They were brave enough to use rational means to reach conclusions. Our vote is important and it can create an open society that strives to serve our country.
Consciousness and rationality will take our country closer to success, however, more relevant questions should be raised first by young people!
• Malima is an MSc candidate in Bioinformatics at the University of Pretoria
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.