READER LETTER | SA has faith, identity crisis

The state of SA is not a political crisis but a crisis of identity and faith. We have built a fantasy democracy on a foundation designed to appease Washington and London, while the structural remnants of apartheid remain untouched. Our constitution and Bill of Rights have given “Brand South Africa” a false confidence, convincing us that we are a progressive leader while inequality, racism and unemployment continue unabated.

This arrogance has fuelled a toxic xenophobia. We believe we are better than the rest of Africa, as we chase the approval of trade partners in the US and Europe. We have become a proxy state of Western hegemony.

Even our stance on the global stage, including the Israel-Palestine issue, reveals a desperate need to show signs of self-reliance while remaining a doormat for Western and white arrogance. The ultimate transgression is spiritual. The state has invaded churches to preach Western liberalism while mocking black theology, treating our own faith with contempt. – Khotso KD Moleko