WHAT IS ‘CONSERVATIVE’ AND WHY?

Oxford dictionary describes conservative as ‘averse to change or innovation and holding traditional values’. In ‘The war on the West’ Douglas Murray writes that ‘Anti-Western revisionists have been out in force in recent years’ and ‘it is high time that we revise them in return’. Whatever view one holds the fact that the very pillars on which the West was built:

Families, Education, Government, Morality, The Church, The Law and Society,

has seen significant - in many ways irreparable - damage in recent years is undeniable as what is broadly termed ‘Cultural Marxism’ targeted them relentlessly, cloaking their goals under the pretense of social justice. Their biggest impact has manifest in the fields of Education, Sex and Gender and Climate.

What we are not advocating is the anti-change and anti-innovation referred to by Oxford, but rather the launch of an innovative, inspiring and exciting ‘Rocket’ from a launchpad based on solid and unchanging values.

Take our beautiful, mineral and culturally rich country South Africa. During two equal durations of 30 years each political dispensations have attempted building a country on race-based ideologies: Apartheid, as well as its recent Socialist / Communist cousin. The first one failed because of exclusiveness where the second’s biggest shortcoming lies in its complete removal of anything Christian from all vestiges of society in order to be ‘politically correct’. According to Psalm 127 v 1: ‘Unless the LORD builds the house, its builders labor in vain. Unless the LORD watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain’ – advise we will do well to heed once the rebuilding phase (whenever it comes) starts; a phase we should make sure to be a part of.

God is the creator and healer, whereas Satan kills and destroys; and South Africa is rushing ahead at an unnerving pace towards becoming a failed state. Despite all this, we as Christians are called to be builders and to do everything possible to stop the current culture of destruction; and to not focus on rebuilding only, but to be pivotal to the development of an inspiring vision for our country’s future.

Imagine a scenario where South Africa becomes an investor’s (local and international) haven and grows at e.g. a steady 7% per annum as the potential of all our industries are unleashed and accelerated as

-        top-class education becomes our cornerstone propelling our youth in its wake;

-        high performance business joins hands with high-impact social causes to transform towns into sustainable communities offering the very best quality of life;

-        unemployment is slashed;

-        infrastructure rebuilt to standards of excellence; and

-        health care combines the best that the private sector and state can offer.

Where we commute, work, and live in safety as a small but very effective government ensures the fair application of law and order. Where pioneers, innovators, creators and builders are rewarded and become the heroes of our society.

As impossible the above may appear now, consider one of many examples where similar is already being achieved. When Javier Milei assumed office a year ago, Argentine supermarkets were marking price increases on an almost daily basis as the country teetered on the brink of hyperinflation. Since then inflation slowed from a monthly rate of 25.5% in December 2023 to just 2.7% in October 2024. Surely, we have it in us to do similar, and even better.

So, exactly what are we advocating? Rebuild South Africa, and do so on solid, unchanging values that starts with putting a return to God first and would aim us in the direct opposite of where we are heading at present. And from that launch pad dream big, go big, and create a vision so exciting that Kennedy’s ‘Let’s put a man on the moon’ will pale in significance. As we commit to that vision it will unleash the very best our country and its peoples have to offer.

Albie Heigers

11 March 2025