Enough fancy English, what's the plan?

by Grant Tungay SJ

A public comment during last week’s broadcast of the State of the Nation Address caught my attention: “Enough fancy English—what’s the plan?” It was blunt, but it touched on something many people feel. Aspirational language has its place, but it must be matched by action—especially when our country faces so many pressing challenges.

One striking feature of this year’s address was the number of task teams and committees the President announced. Six in total: a team to investigate police corruption identified in the Madlanga Commission; a criminal justice reform body to target organised crime; a National Energy Crisis committee; a task team to address foot-and-mouth disease; an eminent persons group and steering committee for the national dialogue process; and a National Water Crisis committee.

For context, this is twice the number of such structures mentioned in last year’s address.

There is nothing inherently wrong with establishing focused groups to address complex issues. At times, they are necessary. The concern arises when structures become substitutes for implementation. If committees generate discussion but not measurable change, frustration grows. They can begin to look like movement without progress.

At the same time, each of these initiatives responds to a genuine crisis. The President has also indicated that several of these bodies will report directly to him, suggesting a willingness to assume personal oversight. Awareness of the nation’s struggles is not lacking. The real test, as always, will be the follow-through.

The challenge is not only political. It is human. We are all capable of speaking convincingly about what should be done. The harder work is translating words into action. St Ignatius of Loyola reminds us in the Spiritual Exercises that love ought to be expressed more in deeds than in words.

Lent offers us a timely examination of conscience. Do our commitments lead to concrete change? Do our resolutions shape our behaviour? Are our promises reflected in our daily choices?

It is easy to critique leaders for lofty language. It is more demanding to ensure that our own words are grounded in action. Perhaps this season invites all of us—in public life and in private—to close the gap between what we say and what we do.