Young people are paying the price for corruption in South Africa. The country’s recent events have been a clear depiction that young people can no longer deem the South African government as role models. Many would argue that this disillusionment is not a surprise, stemming from years of reported corruption scandals involving prominent officials, only this time, the evidence of such misconduct is simply irrefutable.

The ongoing commissions of inquiry have left many despondent, unphased, even, as the country has endured years of distasteful behaviour by government officials.

However, this raises a pressing concern regarding the effect of such developments on young people in the country. The concern does not seek to dismiss the severe challenges faced by young people, such as high rates of unemployment, but rather aims to highlight the impact of such perpetuated behaviour on those entering the working environment.

In recent times, the country could almost be heard gasping in unison as the former City Manager of Ekurhuleni was seen on her phone during questioning at the Madlanga Commission regarding allegations of sexual harassment during her tenure. One would expect proceedings of this nature to command the City Manager’s full attention, which was not the case. In another not so surprising incident, a different official, under oath, failed to confirm the veracity of his educational qualifications at the commission, raising questions about whether he was truly qualified to hold such a prominent position.

A system that once was meant to uphold and uplift values of integrity seems to have eroded into one beyond decay, largely because of those entrusted to protect it.

On 18 September 2025, Thando Malinga, on behalf of the FW De Klerk Foundation, wrote that while the Constitution does not stand solely as a legal document, it is a social contract, one that guarantees young South Africans the right to live in a society governed by justice, fairness and transparency. The saddening reality of South Africa is that this contract is only as strong as the willingness of institutions to uphold it, which has been a failure thus far. Such flippant behaviour from high-standing officials, an appalling display of disregard for the Constitution, the law, and basic principles of humanity, paints a grim picture of the future. It alludes to a growing mindset among young people that unscrupulous behaviour may be further perpetuated, as those who blatantly engage in it appear to face little consequence. As more young people enter the workforce, there is a real risk that they may carry forward the baton of corruption, as such a precedent has been set.

Great lessons must be learned from the past, from events such as 16 June 1976, when students protested against apartheid education policies and were met with violence. Young people possess a deep-seated passion that ought to be redirected toward their education, hobbies, recreational activities, sport, and art. Young South Africans are livid at the government and have long borne the brunt of the proven inadequacies of those voted into power. They attribute many of their current hardships to the failures of the state, and this reality can no longer be ignored. Young people have been failed. Their justified anger is further exacerbated by the diversion of funds through corrupt practices, which has, throughout the years, had an adverse effect on their socio-economic welfare. Great care must be taken by the government to ensure that a history such as the uprising does not repeat itself, resulting in the loss of young lives that are meant to shape the country’s future in a more positive direction.

Government officials ought to serve as the moral compass for young people. They should lead with integrity. They should be exemplary role models for younger generations. Instead, they have become the scorn of those they are meant to inspire.

One can only hope that the youth do not come to view corruption as necessary for socio-economic advancement. If they do, then we are not failing to fight corruption, we are actively teaching it.

Siphiwayinkosi Mdluli is an Ethics Subject Matter Practitioner at The Ethics Institute and a Certified Ethics Officer, with a Master of Management in Governance from the University of the Witwatersrand. His work focuses on ethics training and thought leadership.