Tributum Newsletter#17

Hi there

Following on last month’s social science lesson it strikes me that the “right” that seems exercised the most across the world today cannot be found in any constitution or bill of rights. JIP, I am talking about the “right to be offended”. While many of the actual rights appear to protect our freedom to be different, it seems that these differences create this “right” to be offended.

The fact that I like the colour pink does not make me hate those who do not like pink, so please don’t take offense. The fact that I don’t like white wine does not make me hate people who drink white wine, so please don’t take offense. The fact that I may be different from you and won’t always agree with you does not mean I hate you. We want to celebrate diversity, but yet we take offense when someone differs from us. Is the idea about diversity not that we are different, and that it is acceptable not to be the same?

Many of you may have seen the video of SA businessman Vusi Thembekwayo’s rant about the current state of the nation (more entertaining than the real SONA though) on social media platforms. In a subsequent interview with Jeremy Maggs he stood by what he said. In the interview he calls out Government for the current recession, saying that Covid-19 was not the cause of the death of the economy, but merely the coffin it is being buried in. Honest, to the point and resonating with me. If you are on LinkedIn, follow this link for a peek, it is worth the 7 minutes:

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/vusithembekwayo_vusithembekwayo-ugcPost-6685257470970994688-QStS

His call to action should not only be to Government, but to you and me as well. It’s all good  to plan and strategise, wish for change and hope for the best. All these seem like noble verbs, but they don’t lead to anything being done. That requires putting the DOING back into those verbs. Implement your strategy, execute your plans, change what needs to change, be the hope you want in the world. Like Colin Powell said, “A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.” They should teach that at school…you don’t just get a prize for pitching up.

I believe people who are successful (career, hobby, parenting- whatever your definition of success) are those that are prepared to help themselves and do what needs doing. If that is you, good luck. If not, stop complaining.  No offense.