The future is built in the present, the past influences the present, but, the relationship between the past, present, and the future is buttressed by the principle of non-linearity. The social world does not operate based on linearity due to its dynamic nature with varied intervening factors.
Every arising problem has a history and universities are inherently existing as part of the community that is currently enduring the psychosocial effects of apartheid and colonialism, a period which the country has lived under more than it has under political liberation. As a result, South Africa represents the most acute manifestation of most of the social fault-lines that define humanity’s current challenges: race, class, gender and geographic location. It is unsurprising that every social justice endeavour expresses itself through these disparities.
In this regard, South Africa’s efforts at fundamental change represent a social experiment, which resonates with humanity’s progressive efforts. In addition, our country having attained its political liberation only recently, our society enjoys the advantage of learning from experiences across the continent and the globe. Contextually, this gives all our social justice determinations the time and space to be inculcated with an indispensable depth of strategies and tactics.
Our common programme of nation building chose to place a democratic society at the heart of its struggle where citizenship is united in its diversity. This was no blank cheque. It was and is still underpinned by a robust commitment to our strategic objectives.
This is where the line should be drawn between strategy (the ultimate goal), and tactics (the methods and actions that respond to changing immediate circumstances). Our actions should be informed by our shared strategic objections. The enactment of our actions must and should always be informed by tactical choices calculated to place the realization of the end goal - on an irreversible path. Time and space is significant in determining such choices. Thoroughgoing analysis of the conditions to enact such actions is fundamental and a function of collective leadership. It is not about individualism and a quest for heroism, but a difficult task of continuous critical examination of the conditions within which to execute the strategy.
Time space and context in this regard are not purely a matter of measurement, geography and conditions. It is about the dialectical interaction and intersection between these concepts to shape and influence choices to inform courses of action at a particular moments on a continuum in pursuit of a shared future and vision.
Clearly, at all times we should develop tactics that are suitable for the specific conditions under which we operate. Our tactics should be informed by our commitment to our strategic and ultimate goal.
Any attempt aimed at delinking time, space and context in pursuit of our goals is bound to derail progress and/or be counter-productive.
As a people we should always be about common good and the progress of humanity.