National planning minister Trevor Manuel's comments that government could no longer blame apartheid for its failures have received much attention. National planning minister Trevor Manuel's comments that government could no longer blame apartheid for its failures have received much attention. The debate unnecessarily relegates us into Manuel-bashing or adulation camps, diverting our attention from the shortcomings of both the public and private sectors - weaknesses which must be overcome to assure a stable and prosperous future. I would dare to say that 19 years into our democracy, not all spheres of society have truly undergone a mental revolution.The state of our country is such that we need to behave as though it is not business as usual. Our collective response to apartheid should be to become citizens who are patriotic, long-term thinkers rather than seeking immediate gratification. We need people who want to give and do their best in gratitude for having dodged a war. But ins...

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