Mitchell Name
Owning up for personal mistakes is a difficult thing to do. It is so easy to see the wrongs of the person next to you.
It’s shocking how quick we are to point fingers at our neighbours and leaders whenever there is something wrong in our society and nation. We even condemn the leaders we have and preach that they should change, but the question is who really needs to change.
Most people want to change the world but as the saying goes you cannot change the world without changing yourself.
Lack of a sense of responsibility in our people has cost us Zimbabweans and Africans a great deal. We do wrong and find something if not someone to it on. This is not to say our leaders do not have their own fair share of wrongs and damage that they have done.
The issue is about what you are doing as an individual to change the world.
Personal responsibility is when an individual considers the consequences of their activity before acting or simply put it is when one owns up to their wrongs and is willing to face the consequences of their actions.
The reason why we have lots of crisis in the world is because of the avoidable that we did not avoid when we were supposed to do so. As Zimbabweans we blame our leaders for poor drainage system, high levels of corruption etc.
It is you and l who throw trash anywhere, bribe the officials to accelerate certain process or escape from certain consequences (greasing the wheel).
A responsible person will throw the trash in its rightful place and by doing that you are making a difference. The difference starts with you as an individual. You cannot preach the gospel you are not practising. The economics of the environment is not so complicated; it only needs people who understand the benefits of doing the right thing and doing the right thing the right way (efficiency and effectiveness).
No one is going to create a corruption free environment for you or tidy city for you. If you want a corruption free environment stop practising, in order to have clean city throw trash in its rightful place. It is simply a do it yourself product.
The combined efforts are what then make us a strong country, great economy and a responsible people.
Ceteris-paribus, the summation of our responsibility levels will have a great impact on our tomorrow. As young people and entrepreneurs let’s not depend on the next person to do what you can. Do something yourself that can make the situation better. Let your action fail to make a difference after you have tried.
Imagine a Zimbabwe with people that throw trash in its rightful place, that do not pay bribes in the name of greasing the wheel and that do not accept bribes.
Great is the impact that it could cause on our economy. If you stop paying bribes, stealing from your employer, throwing trash, opposing the law and etc. imagine how far we can go as a nation. It’s never too late for a change. You and I can start today to act responsibly, teach the younger generations through our actions. Instead of blaming our leaders lets act responsibly and create a good legacy for our future generations.
Change begins with you and I. Talk is cheap, action is the real deal. Arise Zimbabwean youth, make a difference in every way you can.
Mitchell K Name is an economist. Feedback: namemitchel@gmail.com and WhatsApp 0774 516 124