The Proverbial Chicken Comes Back To Roost

Opinion Piece by:

Ruben Opperman

INTRODUCTION

South Africa is sitting in a very dynamic and interesting period in its history even more so than the end of apartheid.

We have seen the country change from apartheid to a democratic dispensation to a mixed communist dispensation until we have a government of National unity which temporary to say the least.

We have seen an interesting development regarding crime, corruption and the way the youth have been used to political gain, that on its own has created a scenario of generational development which has been very cleverly used in the social cohesion and falling apart of society. we see today the same way of motivation and narrative of making a quick buck and not necessarily working for it.

This discussion paper is therefore exactly what it says, we have created a monster of liberality and entitlement which is not how the world has been working since the beginning of time and this discussion paper is written to shed some light on how the Millennials and Generation Z society is and will continue to change the narrative where society as a whole cannot survive.

South Africa’s Crossroads: A Crisis of Values and Generations 🇿🇦✝️

South Africa is facing a period of historical flux, deeper than the post-apartheid transition. The journey—from a democratic ideal to shifting dispensations and a temporary Government of National Unity—is increasingly overshadowed by a crisis of character and consequence. This turmoil is rooted not just in political failure, but in a dramatic erosion of fundamental values, starkly contrasting with principles historically upheld by Christian ethics and Western civilization.

The Collapse of the Work Ethic: A Theological View

The core problem, as articulated, is the rise of an “interesting development regarding crime, corruption and the way the youth have been used to political gain,” leading to a culture of “making a quick buck and not necessarily working for it.”

From a Christian historical perspective, this shift represents a profound deviation from the Protestant work ethic. Rooted in Reformation theology, particularly the emphasis on vocation (the idea that all legitimate work is a calling from God, or ‘Beruf’), this ethic fostered diligence, frugality, and the reinvestment of wealth.

• The Biblical Mandate: The Genesis account (Genesis 3:19) states, “By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread.” St. Paul wrote, “If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat” (2 Thessalonians 3:10). These teachings established that honest labour is a dignified and necessary part of human existence.
• The South African Deviation: The current “narrative of making a quick buck” fundamentally rejects this scriptural mandate. It fosters an environment where corruption—theft and the misuse of entrusted power—is viewed as a viable path to wealth. This is a direct offense against the Eighth Commandment (“You shall not steal”) and the foundational Christian concept of stewardship, which demands responsible management of resources and talents.

Entitlement vs. Grace: The Generational Shift

The diagnosis points to a “monster of liberality and entitlement” that is “not how the world has been working since the beginning.” This concept of entitlement—the belief in an inherent right to provision or success without contribution—clashes directly with key Christian values of humility, sacrificial service, and grace.

Christianity teaches that humans are entitled to nothing from God; salvation and blessings are given through grace (unmerited favour), which necessitates a response of gratitude and selfless action towards others.

• Millennials and Gen Z: While these generations rightly demand accountability for historical injustices and systemic failures, when this demand morphs into an entitlement to instant personal wealth or political spoils, it becomes a corrosive force. The political use of youth movements for transactional gain undermines the pursuit of justice (a biblical concern) and replaces it with the pursuit of personal power (often condemned biblically as pride).
• Social Cohesion: The Christian concept of the Body of Christ (1 Corinthians 12) illustrates that society thrives only when diverse parts—each performing its own function with diligence and humility—work together for the common good. The current trajectory, driven by individualistic entitlement and greed (which the Bible calls idolatry, Colossians 3:5), is tearing apart the “social cohesion” necessary for the survival of the South African polis.

A Call to Reformation: The Christian Value-Add

The article’s conclusion—that society “cannot survive” this path—echoes the historical Christian warning that societies built on injustice, self-interest, and the oppression of the poor are ultimately unsustainable.

The Christian value-add to this discussion paper is a call for a moral and spiritual reformation that complements any political solution:

1. Restoration of Vocation: Re-emphasizing that meaningful contributions to society come through ethical labour, skill development, and service, not through fraud or corruption. Churches, as vital social institutions, have a duty to teach the dignity of work and the severity of sin (corruption).
2. Sacrificial Leadership: The political use of youth is a symptom of failed leadership. Christian history—from models of monasticism to abolitionist movements—demonstrates that true societal change begins with selfless, sacrificial leadership focused on the greater good, not self-enrichment.
3. Community over Individualism: Promoting the values of charity, mutual responsibility, and ubuntu (which finds parallels in Christian fellowship) to counter the divisive “me-first” entitlement.

Without a return to these foundational Judeo-Christian ethics of stewardship, honesty, and sacrificial service, the political arrangements of a GNU or any new dispensation will remain temporary and fragile, unable to withstand the corrosive monster of entitlement that threatens to consume the nation’s future.