South Africa

The 2005 Biko Lecture by Dr Mamphele Ramphele was extremely interesting and thought provoking. The lecture's focus was taking "ownership" of your citizenship - along with the accompanying benefits and responsibilities. Here are a few quotes from the Cape Argus (if anyone knows where I can get hold of the full text of the Lecture please drop me an email) -

"The civil service as an opportunity to serve seems to have become overshadowed by the notion of civil service as a job opportunity for the individual involved."

"The watchdog, investigative, and educational roles of the media need further impetus. Much higher investments are needed in training to enhance the skills of many young professionals who are eager but inexperienced."

"Citizenship is about ownership. The Afrikaans word burgher captures the spirit of ownership...Burghers over the ages took their ownership of their land as sacred. They accepted the duties of 'burgherskap' willingly...As citizens in our young democracy today we have a sacred duty of care [to] face up to the challenges of defining what citizenship means".

"At 11 years old, we are no different from the proverbial teenager, flexing our nascent muscles and asserting ourselves at home and abroad. We have much to proud of. We have tackled the enormous task of redressing the legacy of centuries of misrule, poor economic management and inequity and we have emerged with a proud foundation for our democracy."

 

Smart lady.