There are times when we South Africans have reason to be proud of the strides made in the evolution of our young democracy.

This week's decision by the government to cancel the Komatiland forestry deal should provide us with confidence that the ethos of this nation is against corruption and unethical behaviour.

It is barely three months since the Sunday Times first revealed that Andile Nkuhlu, a senior official involved in the government's privatisation process, had received cash from a company that won the bidding for the lucrative deal.

Nkuhlu was subsequently suspended by his employers before resigning last week. The man who paid money into his account, Zama chief executive Mcebisi Mlonzi, resigned this week.

Now Public Enterprises Minister Jeff Radebe has ordered that the bidding for the deal be reopened and pledged that the "government will not sweep (impropriety) under the carpet".

Being located on a continent that is - often unfairly - associated with corruption and bad governance, South Africa has to go the extra mile to prove its credentials . The Zama case sends a message to our business community and public servants that codes of ethics are not just pieces of paper.

With acknowledgements to The Editor and Sunday Times.