The Perils and Pitfalls of the Moment: A Clarion Call for Leadership 

As South Africa stands at the cusp of a new era, we are compelled to ask: what will it take for our nation to rise anew? What visionary leadership, what innovative policies, and what collective efforts will be required to transform our nation into a beacon of hope, justice, and prosperity for all? The journey ahead will require a fundamental rebirth, rethinking, and reimagining of our nation's future, driven by a shared commitment to justice, equality, and human dignity.

As we navigate the complexities of our revolutionary journey, we are reminded of the profound wisdom that "the dogmas of the quiet past are inadequate to the stormy present. The occasion is piled high with difficulty, and we must rise with the occasion. 

As we embark on the noble endeavour of reconstructing, redeveloping, rebuilding, rediscovering, rethinking, and reimagining the South Africa we need beyond 2063, we are reminded of the profound wisdom of Abraham Lincoln, who urged us to "think anew and act anew" in the face of new challenges. This clarion call to leadership is particularly pertinent in our current context, as we seek to build a more just, equitable, and prosperous society for all South Africans.

As we navigate the complexities of our collective journey, we must be willing to challenge our assumptions, rethink our strategies, and reimagine our future. We must be bold in our vision, courageous in our actions, and unwavering in our commitment to creating a better life for all. By working together, we can build a brighter future for our nation, a future that is worthy of our highest aspirations and our collective humanity.

The warning signs are evident, and it is imperative that we acknowledge the dangers that lurk in the shadows of our collective endeavour. The levels of self-importance and self-aggrandizement that have crept into our ranks are alarming, threatening to undermine the very fabric of our movement.

As we embark on the odyssey of rebuilding, rebirth, rethinking, and reimagining the South Africa we need beyond 2063, we are reminded of the sage words of Mark Twain, who astutely observed that "in the end, it is not the years in your life that count, but the life in your years." This poignant reflection serves as a clarion call to our collective consciousness, urging us to infuse our years with purpose, passion, and a deep commitment to creating a more just and equitable society. As we strive to rebuild and rebirth our nation, we must prioritize the quality of our years, not merely their quantity.

In this pursuit, we are guided by the wisdom of Antonio Gramsci, who theorized that "the old world is dying, and the new world struggles to be born." As we navigate the complexities of our transitional era, we are confronted with the imperative of creating a new world, a world that is founded upon the principles of social justice, economic equality, and human dignity. This endeavor demands that we rethink and reimagine our national project, that we challenge the status quo and strive to create a more perfect union, a union that is worthy of our highest aspirations and our collective humanity.

We seem to have forgotten that political formations are mere by-products of our revolution, not the revolution itself. The revolution can, and will, continue with or without us, regardless of our individual or collective actions.

"Leadership is not about titles, positions, or flowcharts. It is about one life influencing another." - John C. Maxwell

In this moment of great uncertainty, we require leadership that is aesthetic visionary, leadership that thinks outside the constraints of conventional wisdom. We need leaders who can resist the temptation to allow anxiety and excitement to cloud their judgment, leaders who can prioritize strategic thinking and reasoning above personal interests.

"An aesthetic leader must be mindful of the fact that the movement is not about them, but about the people they serve. Let us not reduce our movement to a mere spectacle, a competition of thuggery and manipulation."

We must not forget that our movement is built on the principles of justice, equality, and freedom. We must not sacrifice these principles on the altar of personal ambition or political expediency.

"The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy." - Martin Luther King Jr.

Accordingly, as we strive to rebuild and rebirth our nation, we must prioritize throughput programmes that drive sustainable development and socio-economic impact. Integrated Rural and Urban Infrastructure Investment Programmes (IR&UIIP) offer a compelling framework for achieving this goal. By leveraging the power of Sustainable Developmental Goals (SDGs) and Artificial Intelligence (AI), we can create a transformative paradigm that bridges the rural-urban divide and unlocks the full potential of our nation.

Inspired by the remarkable success of the Asian Tigers, we can harness the synergies between IR&UIIP, SDGs, and AI to drive rapid industrialization, urbanization, and modernization. By investing in cutting-edge infrastructure, we can create a seamless continuum between rural and urban areas, fostering innovation, entrepreneurship, and social mobility. As we rise to the challenge of our time, we can proudly proclaim that we are building a new South Africa, one that is driven by the principles of sustainability, equity, and human dignity.

The consequences of our actions are far-reaching, and it is imperative that we acknowledge the damage that we are inflicting upon our movement. We must stop being conference spinners, reducing our movement to a mere shell of its former self.

"Fall seven times, stand up eight." - Japanese proverb

We must reclaim our movement, restore its integrity, and refocus our efforts on the noble ideals that have driven us thus far. As we move forward, let us remember that our struggle is not merely about conferences or political maneuvering.

"Our struggle is not merely about the future of our organization, but about the future of our nation, and the future of our people."

Let us honor the sacrifices of those who have come before us, let us honor the trust that has been placed in us, and let us strive to build a movement that is worthy of our highest aspirations.

"The best way to predict your future is to create it." - Abraham Lincoln

In conclusion, we urge all cadres and leaders to reflect on the perils and pitfalls of the moment. Let us reclaim our movement, restore its integrity, and refocus our efforts on the noble ideals that have driven us thus far.

As we stand at the threshold of a new era, the rebirth, rethinking, and reimagining of our nation's future depends on the calibre of public representatives we elect to lead our beloved country. It is imperative that we choose leaders who will drive the transformative agenda of Integrated Rural and Urban Infrastructure Investment Programmes (IRUIIP), powered by Artificial Intelligence (AI), as exemplified by the Asian Tigers. Saudi Arabia's Phoenix-model of economic transformation, which leverages foreign investment, privatization, and deregulation to drive growth, offers valuable lessons for our own development journey. Similarly, China's investment model, which prioritizes infrastructure development, industrialization, and technological innovation, provides a compelling framework for our own IRUIIP initiatives.

We must reject the politics of manipulation, conference spinning, and thuggery, and instead, opt for visionary leaders who will harness the potential of AI to create a brighter future for our future generations. By doing so, we can ensure that our nation rises anew, built on the principles of justice, equality, and human dignity. As Nelson Mandela once said, "The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall." Together, we can build a brighter future for all South Africans, a future that is worthy of our collective humanity.

FD Gade

Eastern Cape MEC for Basic Education

Writing in his personal capacity.