In a country overwhelmed by reports of crime, corruption, and endless commissions of inquiry, a retired police officer in Gauteng reminds us that true justice comes from individual courage, compassion and constructive action.

Scanning through media articles, there are so many stories of crime and despair which overwhelm all senses. South Africa has learned about the launch of yet another commission of inquiry, following major allegations of political interference and law enforcement misconduct. We feel discouraged and frustrated that no efforts are made to hold transgressors to account.

While commissions of inquiry dominate the news, this narrative shifts the focus from blame to positive ethical leadership at grassroots level.

What is needed is not another costly inquisition, nor a lack of accountability. What is needed is a different kind of justice, one rooted not only in law, but in compassion, courage, and constructive action.

A retired police officer residing in Heidelberg, Gauteng, became the victim of theft. His response to the “crop robbers” is what captures attention. He realised that the offenders are acting out of desperation, an action which can be dubbed as survival ethics, stealing to feed the starving. Amid rising food insecurity, with millions struggling to put meals on the table, Mr Scott’s initiative reflects a grassroots solution to a national crisis. Instead of responding with frustration or anger, Mr Scott chose to meet wrongdoing with a positive solution. It was not merely a symbolic gesture but a transformative one. He turned frustration, the violation of private property and personal loss into a public good.

Driven by the dire needs within the community, he took the initiative to uplift those around him. His act, simple yet profound, stands as a lesson in ethical leadership and moral courage. In direct response to the hunger he witnessed, Mr Scott cultivated a pavement garden outside his home. Through this compassionate and constructive action, he provides access to nutritious vegetables that support a hungry community, helping to reduce growing inequality within his circle of influence.

Being Courageous – Choose a Different Response

We often talk about accountability as a system of consequences, but it is also a way of being, an active stance in the face of wrongdoing. This former officer embodied what one might call “constructive accountability”: not holding others to account, but holding oneself accountable for building something better, even when wronged. The decision reminds us that ethics is not about perfection, but about how we choose to respond to a situation. We are all impacted by moments where the world disappoints, hurts, or even betrays us. What is important is how we choose to respond and what we decide to do next.

Constructive Action – Doing Something About It

It does not take much to be overwhelmed by the scale of critical issues within South Africa, the crime rate, growing inequality, institutional failures, and corruption. This is where we also have a responsibility. Ethical leadership starts at individual level. What would you do if crops are stolen from your vegetable patch? We know things are dysfunctional and broken in our beautiful country, but what are we doing as individuals to move beyond complaining? What constructive action will you take to help improve our society and to re-establish trust in one another?

The decision to respond by planting vegetables on the sidewalk in front of his house, was not based on an authoritarian principle, but one stemming from integrity, an internal locus of control which guided a sense of compassion and courage. Feeding the people who stole his crops without mandate or a badge, is what makes the difference.  What he did have was a sense of responsibility that transcended any title, the belief that justice lives in how we treat one another, and in what we do when no one is watching.

Consider your environment, and what you can do to make a difference to change things for the better. South Africa is at a critical crossroad, and all of us, as members of society, need to accept responsibility and act. The smallest of actions may have the biggest impact.

A Call to Ethical Agency

Ethics is not reserved for those in power; it is practiced by ordinary people making extraordinary choices. This story is not just about one man; it is an invitation to all of us to respond to injustice with purpose.

Considering a generic model of values, an individual, a group, and country-level values are interrelated and interconnected. Figure 1 illustrates a proposed generic model of general and workplace values, adapted from the research of Roe & Ester.

Figure 1: A generic model of general values

Source: Roe & Ester, 1999:13

The framework developed by researchers Roe and Ester outlines three social levels, the country, group, and individual, through which activities and values interact. This model shows how general values and workplace values are connected across all levels of society. Importantly, it highlights how our personal values influence the way we engage with and change the world around us.

The horizontal linkages reflect the general belief that work activities may be influenced and determined by work values, whilst work values originate from general values. Within this framework, general values are seen as a reflection of the direct components of behaviour. Components of behaviour refer to guidelines for selecting objectives and how to make decisions to achieve these objectives. Moreover, the reversed causal link implies that work activities may influence work values, which in turn may impact general values. The vertical association between the three levels reflects the hierarchy: individuals’ functions within clusters, and these groupings are found within society. Furthermore, it is likely that individual values have an impact on social values and that individual actions influence collective activities.

Reflect on the proposed values structures. We are in no way able to change the system overnight. But we can all choose how we respond to specific influences and happenings within our spheres. We can report wrongdoing, mentor youth, support victims, challenge corruption, donate time, share knowledge, and build alternatives. Consider responding by acting, grounded in kindness and empathy, this changes the entire circle of engagement.

When we respond to harm with constructive intent, we shift the moral atmosphere. We lead by example. In doing so, like the former officer, we show that justice is not only something we demand, but also something we do.

Celia Lourens is Chief Projects and Funding Officer at The Ethics Institute.