Clean up corruption – including in our own community

Corruption is destroying South Africa. From Eskom to the municipalities, billions have been stolen while millions live without jobs, water, or electricity.

This betrayal of public trust has become so normalised, we barely flinch at the headlines anymore.

But let’s be honest: corruption isn’t only a problem “out there” in government.

It’s alive and well in civil society too, and if we are honest with ourselves, even in parts of our own Jewish communal structures.

Too many of our communal organisations operate like private fiefdoms. Leadership is rarely elected in open, democratic processes. Decisions are taken behind closed doors. Financial transparency is often minimal or non-existent. And dissenting voices are marginalised.

This breeds apathy, mistrust, and, at worst, the misuse of power and resources.

If we are to call for integrity and accountability in our country, we must demand it in our own backyard too.

That’s why I propose the establishment of an independent integrity commission, a body with the mandate and power to root out corruption everywhere: in government; business; nongovernmental organisations; even in communal organisations.

It must have the authority to investigate, expose, and hold leaders accountable, no matter how influential they are.

We need to:

• Bolster transparency: every communal body must publish audited financials and make governance processes public;
• Scrap closed-shop leadership: end life-long leadership, and ensure term limits, open nominations, and contested elections;
• Innovate accountability: create a Jewish community ombudsperson or independent ethics council to handle complaints; and
• Decommission bad practice: stop supporting organisations that refuse to embrace transparency and democracy.

Integrity isn’t optional.

If we demand it from our politicians, we must also demand it from our rabbis, shul boards, and communal leaders.

The Jewish community has a proud history of moral leadership. Let’s live up to that legacy, not just in words, but in bold action.