MERIT OVER CONNECTIONS | A PERSONAL REFLECTION I’ve received several direct messages from individuals asking me to “connect them” because they are not politically connected. Let me state this clearly and for the record: I am not politically connected. I am not a member of any political party. I am a private citizen and a career public servant who applied, competed, and earned my position on merit, just like every committed and capable applicant should. This is not just a personal value — it’s a constitutional imperative. 🇿🇦 SECTION 197(3) OF THE CONSTITUTION STATES: “No employee of the public service may be favoured or prejudiced solely because that person supports a particular political party or cause.” Any practice that violates this principle is not just unethical, it is unconstitutional, and it undermines the foundational values of fairness, impartiality, and professionalism in public administration. Let me share a personal experience: In one institution, after being informed I was the successful candidate for a post, the person on the call asked at the end: “WHO DO YOU KNOW?” I was surprised and asked, “Where?” They replied: “Here in the organisation. It was known that this post was earmarked for someone else, but you got appointed.” I responded honestly: “No one not even the panel. It was my first time seeing them.” I was taken aback and deeply concerned. This was my first encounter in the public service and sadly, my time there revealed a culture that was, unfortunately, marked by ONGOING SHOCK AND TOXICITY, something I had to navigate with resilience and integrity. Later, in a separate interaction after being appointed, I was told — quite seriously: “Why should I go to war with another person’s axe?” I was super shocked, not just by the statement itself, but by what it represented: A workplace culture where merit is viewed as a threat, and leadership is reduced to networks, favours, and factionalism. THIS IS EXACTLY THE KIND OF ENVIRONMENT WE MUST TRANSFORM.. Public service should never be reduced to political favouritism or insider networks. It must be a space where integrity, capability, and service to the public come first. 🔒 DISCLAIMER: I share this in my personal capacity as a private citizen and professional, not on behalf of any institution. #publicservice #ethicalleadership #meritocracy #constitutionalvalues #integrityingovernment