We read and hear a great deal about “codes of conduct” - “codes of Ethics” – “Codes of Good Practice” and so on. Do we understand what they are and what they mean? Codes of conduct can be defined as - “A set of rules outlining the responsibilities of or proper practices for an individual or organisation”. Other related topics include concepts related to codes of ethics which deal with professional and business conduct.

I would suggest we relate Codes of Conduct to three specific areas that are applicable to all people but in particular and in this particular instance to all South Africans.

There are three specific codes we must all acknowledge and adhere to. I believe if people can understand these and strive to adhere to these then the world as a whole and South Africa in particular will be a much better place. The codes I refer to are – Legal, Moral and Social codes of conduct.

Legal Codes refer to all issues related to the law and our ability and willingness to adhere to the law. If we consider the application and adherence to the law in South Africa it becomes fairly apparent we have lost sight of the legal code to which we are all bound. I feel in many cases the attitude is one of - why must I comply with the law when others disregard it?

We are demonstrating our sense of “Outrage” and react to situations and behaviour we see on a daily basis. We place our personal interpretation to what we perceive as legal and illegal.

At the same time we consider situations where we feel the sentence imposed does not fit the crime from our personal point of view. The result is - the legal code loses all credibility in our eyes and is no longer seen to be a guide to correct and acceptable behaviour.

Moral Codes can be described as codes pertaining to moral behaviour. The problem of course is - whose morals? If we live in a Christian society then moral codes will have one meaning but what will the moral code be if we live in a communist society, a Muslim society, an atheist society and so on?

As we go forward moral codes may change and it will become imperative for each of us to live in accordance with our personal code of morals while at the same time allowing others to live by theirs. Having said this there are certain aspects of morality that are common to all and these are the common denominators that bring us all together.

We are all equal in importance. We are all equal in terms of our constitutional rights and in terms of the United Nations Declaration of Human Rights - irrespective of Colour, Creed, sexual orientation etc.

The greatest problem with moral codes is that we live in a society where some religious leaders fail to convince members of their respective denominations of the need for an “ethic of reciprocity”. This ethic, which we must learn to accept, applies to all.

"Every religion emphasises human improvement, love, respect for others, sharing other people's suffering. On these lines every religion had more or less the same viewpoint and the same goal." The Dalai Lama

Moral codes rely on three basic concepts - behaviour toward others and their behaviour towards us - a set of values, such as fairness, honesty, integrity and truth - a chosen code of socially acceptable behaviour.

Finally Social Codes deal with how we behave in society and what behaviour is socially acceptable. Social codes deal with our conduct and behaviour in public and as members of society. It deals with respect for others, good manners, protocol, custom and socially acceptable procedures.

The way in which we behave in a public situation may require a change in attitude and a change in terms of how we speak - the tone of our voices and so on. The way we behave in business, (another social situation) may require a change in our personal behaviour.

How we behave in a restaurant, in a theatre, at a business social function and so on may all require specific behaviour appropriate to the situation. The way in which we dress and interact with others is determined by social codes and rules of appropriate conduct.

These three issues determine the codes of behaviour we should all strive to live by in order to make our world and South Africa a better place for all. I sincerely hope they may assist in providing some food for thought and act as a practical guide to reinforce some positive elements related to our personal behaviour.