Reclaiming the spirit of Botho in a season of fear

by Kgaugelo Habyane

March in South Africa is designated as Human Rights Month, a time to honour the courage of those who stood in solidarity against injustice long before our rights were codified. Yet, in 2026, we find ourselves in a period of profound disorientation. We must ask: Who do we listen to, and how do we respond when fundamental rights such as access to clean water and healthy living conditions are vanishing from our communities?

The revelations emerging from the Madlanga commission describe a crisis that goes beyond historical corruption. We are confronting what appears to be a deeply compromised system, one vulnerable to exploitation by powerful syndicates and networks that risk digging an even deeper grave for the nation and its citizens. While corruption is not new, the current exposure of political figures and public servants colluding with "power players" reveals a devastating lack of servitude and accountability. These underhanded schemes and tender frauds rob those in greatest need, leaving hardworking taxpayers—many of whom already struggle to make ends meet—to bear the heavy brunt of this systemic betrayal.

Perhaps the most distressing thing is the breakdown of the institutions meant to protect us. In many communities, trust in the police has eroded to such an extent that they are increasingly perceived as distant from, and at times complicit in, the very criminal networks they are meant to dismantle. Allegations of collusion and protection rackets have left small businesses vulnerable, and our streets saturated with illegal guns and drugs.

This environment has created a breeding ground for addiction and "senseless crimes" that devastate families. The brazen nature of daylight heists and the intimidation of citizens who dare to speak out reflect a dangerous erosion of respect for public authority and a society edging toward desperation.

We have drifted far from the inspiration of those who once sought a better future through solidarity. The terror we experience daily threatens to isolate us, tempting us to only tend to ourselves and our families. This retreat into individualism signals the potential end of the communal spirit of Botho or Ubuntu, which is the very foundation of our right to be and live in a safe society.

As we reflect this March, we are called to a difficult discernment: In our current day and context, who are we listening to? Will we listen only to the noise of fear, or will we hear the calls for justice and dignity? To respond to this broken system requires more than just anger; it requires courage and humility to form a unified force that can reclaim our shared human dignity.