Email Address
info@myobservations.co.za
A prevalent trait among political leaders or politicians in general, is a self-serving bias that often clouds their actions and decision-making processes. Self-serving bias refers to the tendency to attribute successes to one’s own abilities while blaming failures on external factors.
In the realm of politics, this bias can manifest in leaders taking credit for positive outcomes. Even when these are due to collective efforts or favourable circumstances. While deflecting blame for any shortcomings onto advisors, opponents, and external events.
To mask this lack of integrity, politicians often engage in acts of ‘cold generosity’ – ostensibly charitable actions that serves to bolster their public image rather than address the root cause of societal issues.
However, their goal in whatever they do is to be viewed by the general public as the most qualified contenders for their mandate to govern. By presenting an image of competence and benevolence, they aim to secure and maintain public trust and political power. This relentless pursuit of public image often comes at a cost of genuine integrity and accountability, further entrenching the self-serving bias that undermines true leadership. As a result, the public grapples with a facade of generosity that camouflages the deeper lack of sincerity and commitment to the common good.
“Their ultimate goal is to be seen as the most qualified and trustworthy candidates, often at the expense of true accountability and sincerity,”
Promises are the simplest things politicians can do to win the people over in order to achieve their goal. They will purposefully visit areas lacking essentials such as neighbourhoods without medical facilities and make grand pledges to build clinics. However, rather than following through with substantial long-term solutions, these politicians will later distribute food packs to the same communities as an act of ‘cold generosity’.
The superficial act of kindness might initially seem like the first step toward fulfilling their promises. But it falls short of addressing the community’s real needs and serves more to enhance the politician’s image than to deliver genuine help.
These are the leaders who propagate divisive rhetoric about the past to maintain their current positions of power. If they were to open their minds, they would grasp the wisdom of Confucius’ words: “The things that are done it is needless to talk about… the things that are past it is needless to blame.” The insight from the Chinese philosopher underscores the futility of dwelling on bygone events.
Political Retaliations Erode the Vision of Reconstruction
A really sad situation exists in South Africa: many individuals rise to prominence and assume significant leadership roles. However, the country’s selection of these leaders often stems from flawed decision-making. The general public must understand that a leader’s popularity should not be the primary criterion for evaluation. There is a need to explore the qualities of a good candidate for elections: A guide to choosing wisely.
A significant number of these leaders grew up in poverty and hardship due to the nation’s history – a circumstance that has a potential to either build or break an individual. Unfortunately, many are broken by these experiences. Consequently, their ascent is often fuelled by resentment with their primary desire being retaliation.
This retaliation is two-pronged: it targets both their political rivals and individuals with different skin tones. Sadly, they believe their actions are justified.
However, with this mindset, maturity will elude us, and our dream of reconstructing our country will remain unattainable. Those in positions of authority “have not started living until they can rise above the narrow confines of their individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.” We should take a lesson from Dr Martin Luther King Jr.
