One of the most interesting goals of China’s new Five Year Plan is to have 10% of its population as community volunteers. When you recognise that 10% of the Chinese population stands at approximately 135 million people, you being to gain a realistic understanding of what a staggering thought process this is! It is a hugely positive, if not ambitious, target to try and mobilise such a vast quantity of their citizens to give to the community and play their role in building China as a nation. Not only is it a sign of the time that their is such a significant emphasis being placed on community involvement and volunteering, but it also symbolizes the a certain ‘Ubuntu” that this seemingly unemotional and clinical nation has lying beneath their surface.
This particular goal makes me wonder how many South Africans are actively involved as community volunteers in some way, shape or form…? I believe that there are probably more than we think. Just take a look at the community involvement that is made on a daily basis through our citizen’s Churches, NGO’s or just independently out of goodwill. I also know that there are countless rural people unknowingly participating in massive community involvement simply because their culture encourages them to look after their neighbors, communities and municipalities. I have seen first hand the rural communities across South Africa where schools are funded by the local residents and built by the parents of the children.
Do I think that 10% of the South African population – some 5 million people – are actively involved as community volunteers? Well I don’t think the number is that far off. I view the lack of delivery from the government as the primary cause of community involvement today. The cynics might argue that this involvement is out of necessity rather than an altruistic call to serve. I disagree – I think the level of goodwill amongst the ‘non political’ population is extraordinary.
In essence, the estimated 10 percent of South Africa’s population are volunteering in communities because of the spirit of the people and not because of anything the government has asked or empowered them to do. Since democracy in 1994 much of the failure to deliver from the government has only served to strengthen this community spirit. Imagine the potential for South Africa if, much like China is trying to do, the South African government enabled individuals and communities instead of trying to direct, control and stifle them…
I would be very interested to hear what other people’s thoughts are on this subject in the comments section below…
