The intelligentsia cruising away from society

The role of "Educated Class" popularly known as the intelligentsia, is not only hard to understand but, also mercurial. Though primordial definition of this class was only confined to individuals with a high academic pedigree, a contemporary interpretation has broadened the scope of this class to include organic and indigenous intellectuals.

Throughout the evolution of man, there has always been individuals such as herbal healers, traditional and spiritual leaders who possessed indigenous knowledge. They always had pervasive influence within their immediate vicinity which included configuration of moral discourse, treatment of chronic ailments, observation of culture and oral history. Bringing on board indigenous and organic intellectuals who may not necessarily possess a PhD, is pivotal if social cohesion is anything to go buy.

For example, indigenous and organic intellectuals like Chief Albert Luthuli, Father Trevor Huddleston and Joshua Polumo "JP" Mohapeloa were fountains of wisdom in their surroundings. They would always be available to impart knowledge and inspire hope were none existed. Hugh Masekela received his first trumpet from Huddleston and went on to become a world class musical troubadour. "JP"Mohapeloa was a choral composer extraordinaire who untapped raw Acappella talent in villages. All three were prompted by an intrinsic penchant to plough back to their communities. For this ilk, ploughing back wasn't optional but, a matter of principle. They derived a sense of social responsibility from a Sesotho maxim "Motho ke motho ka batho."

The role of intelligentsia in modern society is still imperative and can never be under estimated. South Africa is plagued by unemployment, teenage pregnancy, substance abuse and embezzlement of public funds. Indigenous, organic and academic thinkers are indispensable for trajectory of development in the realm of politics, economy and other social domains. Their public persona should not be characterised by Glenfiddich whisky, stiletto heels and Harley Davidson (Iron883) motorbikes.

The sooner the educated class breaks loose from secluded cocoon of high walls and electric fencing, the better for a society whose streets are on fire due to violent service delivery protests. The intelligentsia must appreciate their role in society as ubiquitous and not just make flamboyant appearances at car-wash and chesanyama outlets on weekends. They shouldn't just be visible during ad hoc charity events in informal settlements where every moment is captured through the lens. They should be the proverbial light at the end of a tunnel ravaged by nyaope, rape, child-headed families and public violence.

Though there is no barometer to measure the extent to which "Educated Class" may plough back to society, my clarion call is for this class to spare a moment and incubate entrepreneurial skills of goal-orientated youth. They must influence government policy and ensure that democratic accountability becomes the order of the day. Their hiatus during psychometric architecture of a nation riddled with violent crime is an indictment on their social standing.

Theirs is not to flash opulence in the face of abject poverty. They must invest their intellectual capital in poor, rural areas thereby emancipating the people from State Dependency Syndrome (SDS). I dare say, the intelligentsia must descend from ivory-towers and gravitate to the humble beginnings from which their altitude was carved. They must realise that being in the media for the wrong reasons will not help their course of etching intellectual footprint in society. They need to overwhelm their central nervous system with trying to unearth prescriptive panacea for myriad of our social ills.www.dailymaverick.co.za
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