Letters | Hong Kong must not go the way of South Africa, where the true meaning of freedom has been misunderstood

Hong Kong’s leaders and citizens must balance freedom and the rule of law so that the city’s achievements since the handover can be preserved

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Protesters are surrounded by smoke fired after riot police fire tear gas during a rally against police brutality on July 28. Photo: EPA-EFE

Published: 6:25am, 11 Aug 2019Updated: 6:25am, 11 Aug 2019

I write with humility and respect: humility because I have only lived here for 12 years; respect because I am in awe of the over 7 million Hong Kong people who live in peace and harmony as law-abiding, hard-working, compassionate citizens. Not only should the local government be incredibly proud of you, but so should the central government.

You set an example for the world and mainland China.

However, when seeking freedom, we must understand that it cannot exist without law and order. That is anarchy.

There is a also fine line between law, order and dictatorship or autocracy: if laws are too stringent or do not allow for the people’s cultural norms, values and opinions, there can be no freedom.

Our leaders must strike a balance: impose laws transparently and fairly to promote true justice. The misaligned extradition bill grew a few thousand Occupy Central followers into millions.

My beloved mother country, South Africa, a beautiful land brimming with potential, has fallen into the abyss of anarchy, rampant crime and chaos, all due to incompetent, corrupt, hegemonic leaders and a total misunderstanding of the concept of true freedom – Amandla (power) has not led to Umbhenso (freedom).