I am a great patriot and believe in South Africa and Africa as a whole. I know we have many challenges and I know if you focus on the news you can't help but question what some people are up to, but I choose not to focus on that but rather on the change that is inevitable in the world. South Africa has achieved so much and will still achieve so much more.

It is time to stop just pointing fingers and to stand up and be proactive citizens. Nations are built by people and we put to much emphasis on our leaders but to do to little ourselves. We live in a free nation and are extremely privileged to be in such a free country. Learn to appreciate what is so good about it and stop focusing on all the bad. Like anything in life, if we focus on what we appreciate, we will attract more to appreciate.

A couple of years ago I wrote a newsletter on South Africa. I think it is still relevant today...

The Reality about South Africa

Dear [NAME]

On Tuesday night I attended a presentation by my good friend whom I’ve known for many years, Billy Selekane. Billy is an internationally renowned speaker and has presented in numerous countries all over the world. His presentation was fascinating, revolving around how African tribes had incredibly advanced cultures pre-colonisation. He details how the Zulu’s beat the British in the Battle of Isandlwana - despite all the sophistication of the British army’s weaponry, the truly dedicated Zulu’s beat the mighty British army against all odds with just shields and spears. Billy spoke about how organisations can learn from, and apply similar principles of strength in culture, just as the Zulu’s did through their original tribal culture. (I intend to ask Billy to hold this presentation for our members all over the country in the not-too-distant future.)

But the most important aspect I want to share about Billy’s talk was the emphasis on the truth about how we as South Africans have become scattered as a people, and do not take responsibility for our own beautiful country. I want to take this opportunity to share my views on this.

Life is largely an illusion. Reality is nothing more than a perception; we are all unique individuals and our perceptions are never quite the same as the next person’s, so ‘reality’ is different for everyone. My great friend and mentor, Emil Ratelband, used to say that there is no such thing as reality because everyone’s reality is different to that of the person sitting next to them. In South Africa at the moment, the reality which the media would have us believe is that our country is about to collapse, but that is not a reality I wish to live with.

In truth, it is only through our challenges that we grow, and it’s often only through challenging situations that we are driven to take effective action towards a better life. We South Africans have become complacent.  We talk endlessly about the problems and we listen to the media’s interpretation and nod our heads in grave dismayed agreement, but what do we actually do? Consider packing our bags to leave?

I think it’s time we created a new reality; a new vision for our country, because we are still scattered people and we focus far more on the problems than on practical solutions. We predict doom, while in actuality, our economy is one of the strongest in the world. We cry inadequacy when Eskom struggles to supply our demand whilst we carry on our own inefficiency by squandering energy instead of conserving it. We rightfully complain about crime, but we’re prepared to bribe traffic officers to sidestep being accountable for our own misdemeanours and we refuse to pay our fines.

The truth is, we make our own beds to lie in and perhaps we need to change our attitudes to the external ‘problems’ we’re so quick to complain about. We live in a wonderful country with wonderful people; we live in a diverse business culture filled with opportunities; we are fortunate to have the best weather and some of the best geographical beauty and wildlife on the planet. This is our country - shouldn’t we be taking more responsibility and at the very least, be making an effort to believe in its promise and possibility rather than singing the song of doom?

After all, it is adversity that prevents complacency and ultimately leads to growth.

Let’s make it happen together.

Your Entrepreneurial Coach
Brian Walsh