In commemoration of the African Anti-Corruption Day, which marks the adoption of the African Union Convention on Preventing and Combating Corruption, a virtual discussion hosted by The Girls Table focused on the theme of corruption and the role of integrity in combating this pervasive issue.
During the discussion, participant Sihlobesihle Ngwenya expressed her concerns about the impact of corruption, highlighting the disparity in the consequences for stealing a cow compared to embezzling millions from a country. “How come stealing a cow has a long jail term but someone who steals millions from a country roams in the streets?!” she exclaimed.
Tishinga V Zamba, a senior programmes officer with ZIMCODD, emphasized the need for institutions with integrity to combat corruption and restore the dignity of service provision. “We need to start a fresh generation of integrity icons and begin living a life with honest behaviors. Let’s build our homes and families with integrity, discourage corruption, and create wealth with a paper trail,” he passionately stated, encouraging a renewed focus on ethical conduct.
Zamba also underscored the influential role of women in society, acknowledging their historical significance as agents of change. “Women are a powerful force in any war world over. Zimbabwe could not have attained independence without women — young, of course,” he remarked, emphasizing the pivotal role of women in nurturing future leaders. “Young women can start from a family as a unity. Let’s raise kids with integrity and encourage our children to be honest. Only then can we achieve reduced levels of corruption,” he added.
Floe, another participant, highlighted poverty as a root cause of corruption and stressed the need to address economic disparities in the fight against corrupt practices.
The virtual discussion served as a platform for insightful reflections on the pervasive issue of corruption and the critical role of integrity in combating it. As the world marks African Anti-Corruption Day, the call to action for young women to champion integrity and lead the fight against corruption resonates as a crucial step towards building a more transparent and equitable society.