"STANDUP STRAIGHT" IF YOU WANT TO FIGHT CORRUPTION

(Ms Thuli Madonsela) By Subry Govender Corruption! Do you want to be shocked more? If you think corruption is rife in our beautiful South Africa following the report by the Public Protector, Ms Thuli Madonsela, on Nkandlagate last week, then you have to watch the Tamil movie, NIMIRNDHU NIL (STANDUP SRAIGHT), now showing at the Ster Kinekor at Gateway. The movie portrays the struggles of a few people, led by a new graduate, in fighting bribery and corruption that is eating away the souls of people. From the ordinary traffic cop, to the police commander, judge, doctor, officials in government departments - the ordinary many has to pay every step of the way. If you don't pay the traffic cop, your key is taken and your bike is confiscated. When you go the police station, the commander there is also on the take, then when you appear before the judge, the judge is also on the take, and then when you go to the government official for a medical cerificate - the doctor is also on the take. But not all people are corrupt. There are some good officials both in and outside state departments. What this film portrays is that those who have the money to pay - get on with their lives, while those who have no money or refuse to pay - life becomes one huge hurdle. We have not yet reached that stage in South Africa. One just hopes that the powers that be will live up to the moral values and principles of Ms Thuli Madonsela and put processes in place to eradicate this menace from developing to the state where the people of Indian find themselves in.