Playing your position: What it means to be a good citizen in South Africa
If we want a South Africa we are proud of, a country that works, then we cannot remain spectators. We have to become active, good citizens.
As 2026 approaches, a familiar conversation returns. New Year’s resolutions. Fresh starts. Personal goals. But perhaps this year, it’s worth asking a different question, one that reaches beyond ourselves: What does it mean to be a good citizen in South Africa, right now?
Not in theory, but in the everyday moments that shape how a country feels to live in.
South Africans are tired. Worn down by failing systems, unreliable infrastructure, and the sense that responsibility often lands far from accountability. And yet, beneath the fatigue, there remains a desire to belong, to care, and to feel proud again.
Good citizenship rarely announces itself. It shows up in small, often unseen choices. Obeying the rules of the road. Choosing respect in shared spaces. Refusing to pay a bribe, even when it would be easier. Helping a neighbour. Staying engaged when disengagement feels tempting. Not because it is glamorous, but because it matters.
This is not about fixing everything. It is about showing up where we can.
And there is one place where South Africans still instinctively understand the power of collective effort.
If there is one team in South Africa that enjoys the unwavering backing of the nation, it is the Springboks.
When they take the field, the dominant feeling is pride. And trust. We trust the system. We trust the preparation. We trust that each player understands their role and will execute it with discipline and purpose. For the duration of a match, differences soften. We hold our breath together. We feel united, proud not only of champions, but of what they represent.
Their success is not accidental. It is built on preparation, discipline, and trust. Each player plays to their strengths. Individual brilliance matters, but it is the collective effort that carries the ball over the line. They are stronger together.
Which raises a quiet but necessary question.
If South Africa were a team, what position would each of us play?
Not everyone scores tries.
Some defend.
Some carry.
Some clear the way.
Some protect space.
Some create momentum so others can move forward.
Citizenship works much the same way.
Not everyone leads.
Not everyone volunteers publicly.
Not everyone has money or resources to give.
But everyone has a role.
Playing your position in South Africa doesn’t require heroics. Sometimes it looks like respecting the rules of the road, choosing honesty when shortcuts present themselves, supporting a local business, helping a neighbour, or getting involved in a community initiative where you live. Often, it’s the quiet, consistent choices that create momentum long before change becomes visible.
The Springboks do not wait for perfect conditions. They act. They pounce, heave, tackle, and drive the ball over the line. Time and time again.
If we want a South Africa we are proud of, a country that works, then we cannot remain spectators. The question is no longer whether the game is difficult. It is whether we are willing to step onto the field.
What position will you play?