It’s time to play by a different (ethical) set of rules. In this new series I want to return to one of my favourite subjects, which we have...
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It’s time to play by a different (ethical) set of rules. In this new series I want to return to one of my favourite subjects, which we haven’t discussed for a while: corruption.
Nothing does
more to damage Africa than corruption. Africa will not reach its full potential
unless we deal with corruption. The majority of Africans will not be prosperous
unless we deal with corruption.
Corruption never discriminates
Now, before
I get into this topic, let me make it absolutely clear that corruption is not
an African phenomenon. It is found everywhere. I have dealt with instances of
corruption in America, Europe, India, China, Papua New Guinea, and in the
Middle East. Just about everywhere I’ve ever been. I’ve seen corruption. Some
of the most corrupt people I have ever met in my life were not Africans.
Corruption
has no colour, no religion, no gender, and no age. Corruption is corruption.
And make no mistake – both giver and receiver are corrupt. Some of the most
corrupt people I've met were very poor, while others were very rich. Corruption
is corruption. Corruption comes in many forms and guises.
The truth is
many people are engaged in forms of corruption without even knowing it. Corruption
has many names, including fraud, theft, kickbacks, bribery, stealing,
bid-rigging, vote-buying, nepotism, patronage, tribalism, racism, graft,
embezzlement, price fixing, protection rackets – these are all names or forms
of human depravity we call corruption.
There is only one hell
Corruption
does not just occur in government. It happens also in the private sector, and
even in not-for-profit organisations. A policeman who demands a tip at a
roadblock is as corrupt as a Minister who demands a multibillion dollar bribe.
I'm yet to find a verse in the bible which says there are different Hells...just
one! And they will both end up there.
As a new
generation of entrepreneurs, we must pledge ourselves to play by a different
set of rules. If we want to change the cycle of poverty in our beloved
continent, we have to say "No!" to corruption.
Corruption may cost you an arm
Your fight
against corruption will cost you something: it will cost you friends; it will
cost you projects; it might cost you your business. It may even end up costing
you your very life. Corruption will not end until there is a generation
prepared to pay the price to end it.
What did
Martin Luther King, Jr. say? “There comes a time when one must take a position
that is neither safe, nor politic, nor popular, but he must take it because
conscience tells him it is right.”
The word
“corruption” comes from the Latin word “corrumpere”, which can mean to bribe,
but also to mar, destroy, rot, seduce, tempt, contaminate or infect. What does
corruption mean to you? Winston Churchill said, "Courage is what it takes
to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and
listen." Let's talk about it. – Strive
Masiyiwa
To be continued….
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