Well spent hour attending this webinar, presented by the Ethics Institute this morning. Professors Thuli Madonsela, Piet Naude and Deon Rossouw shared pearls of wisdom and applied insights on Moral resilience.


The problem with a dilemma is that there are no right or wrong answer. The essence of a moral dilemma is that neither party is absolutely correct and the problems are usually complex. One party will often be left wanting.


Some reflections and insights on the moral dilemma/ ethical challenges presented by Covid-19 and the subsequent lockdown included:

·      South Africa’s constitution vs lockdown where our freedom is curbed

·      Weighing biological life against economic life

·      Fair distribution of resources

·      Should BBBEE criteria take priority during crisis?

·      Medical dilemmas- other procedures being postponed

·      Higher education considering online learning while not all students have equal access to technology

·      Paying for student accommodation while on lockdown

·      Safety of staff

·      Sustainability vs. pay cuts

·      Do I pay my employees or suppliers?



Some take outs from the session:

When you are confronted with difficulty, you still need to think about the future and sustainability’ Prof. Madonsela.

Prof. Rossouw: ‘Survival ethics posits- bread first morals later- and we are seeing some of this behavior, but even while focusing on survival, we cannot discard ethics. Now is the time to keep the common good in mind’.

We need moral imagination- moral resilience gives us a sense of meaning. Leadership at all levels and in all spheres is critical to sustain moral resilience’, Prof. Naude.


How can we help build the moral resilience of others?

·      Inclusivity- allow all voices in the conversation.

·      Active citizenship

·      Learn compassion for everyone’s context

·      Leaders must show care and discipline


Ultimately, crisis is the mother of change and our country has a way of coming through crisis on higher ground– T. Madonsela. What is important is emotional, cognitive, spiritual and social intelligence.  Therefore, compassion could translate into significance.

Closing in the words of Prof. Naude, ‘Victor Frankl said if you lose your ability to imagine life after crisis, then you are doomed. We need moral courage- the ability to act on your convictions- as well as moral imagination, to think about a new future.


The Ethics institute also offered their latest e-book freely available on their website:

https://www.tei.org.za/index.php/resources/handbooks-and-toolkits

Thank you for reading and I trust it brought enlightenment.


Natasha