This week has witnessed something unusual. It has seen not only a glimmer of light into the future but has probably shed light on a quiet national thirst. 

A thirst, not only for change, but for a renewal. This must, however, be credited to a question raised by a member of parliament on whether our focus is on being “reformative or transformative”.
First of all, we must admit that this question is not political, and anyone who sees it that way is clearly blinded by political affiliation and “visually impaired” to the aspired state of our nation.

The question of whether we are being reformative or transformative is an existential one. It is a question of “do or die”.
The question of whether we are being reformative has no borders or limitations. 

It is existential in its nature because it is universal. It touches every core of what defines us and every action we take, be it big or small. First of all, this is the question every one of us should be asking ourselves with every act and decision on a daily basis. 

It is a question we must ask ourselves in our daily interactions, in our homes, neighborhoods, streets, workplaces, and relationships.
It would be fundamentally wrong to think that the question of whether we are being reformative or transformative is a question for a few or those with higher ranks in our man-made hierarchical world.

However, it is a question of introspection in every aspect of us, as a people, and our greater purpose or its absence. It is a question that begins with our individual mindsets, perceptions, and perspectives. It is a question of duty, not only to ourselves, our families, or our interests, but as citizens. 

In our duties as cleaners, teachers, taxi drivers, or cattle herders, we must ask ourselves: Are we being reformative or transformative?
Moreover, in a society plagued by a mental health crisis, this question should linger even more than any other. 

What if the root cause of our crisis is in these questions that we have never asked? What if, in the absence of this question, in devising our interventions, this may be the reason why everything we have tried has not brought real impact? Are our interventions reformative or transformative? It is only when we address this quack more that we can measure whether we are making a difference or shooting ourselves in the knee and continuously applying a band-aid. 

More importantly, as much as this question is psychological and economic, it is even more spiritual. This is because, as a people and nation, whether we are reformed or transformed in spirit will be the ultimate factor in whether we shall prosper or “go to hell”.

*Uncommon Sense is published in the New Era with contributions from Karlos Naimwhaka. YouTube channel: Karlos Lokos

– karlsimbumusic@gmail.com