When I think of the rule of three, Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol always springs to mind. I recall Marley’s Ghost telling Ebenezer Scrooge that he could expect to receive visits from three spirits: the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come.

But there is another trio which is not the tale of fiction, but rather of life, the speeches of which many of us should make an effort to read, and even to reread. It is of the civil rights activist and preacher, Martin Luther King Jr, who understood the rule of three, which can be found throughout his many speeches and preaches. The most often cited is from his speech, ‘Non-Violence and Racial Justice’, in which he makes reference to insult, injustice and exploitation.

South Africans should do well to consider the insights offered in the tale of Ebenezer Scrooge and the words of Martin Luther King Jr.

It does not matter where you get your news – the traditional way, newspapers and television, or social media – it contains much insult and very little praise of anything. The news highlights injustices past, present and to be perpetuated in the future. It is as if South Africa’s divided people are united in their belief that, if someone fails, they will succeed. This warped logic holds that taking from one and giving to another would benefit the collective.

This kind of reasoning is devoid of the wisdom that my mother imparted to me: “Blowing out someone else’s candle doesn’t make yours shine any brighter.” Unfortunately, I cannot find a reliable reference to attribute this to.

It is my contention that South Africa faces three challenges that require a collective effort, if we are to find an equitable, viable and morally justifiable solution. These are the rehabilitation of State-owned enterprises, land reform and achieving social and economic equality.

If the solution to the conundrum, or rather the three, cannot be found, then South Africa would have all the hallmarks of an impending perfect disaster.