Tributum Newsletter #28

Hello

This month’s newsletter was almost done when news broke about the jail sentence for past president Jacob Zuma. Onety five months…he probably would not be in his orange jumpsuit by the time its published, but here’s hoping we get a picture of that early in July. While there are a lot of things wrong in the country and one swallow does not represent summer, maybe this is the start of something new.

I am reminded of the analogy I heard years ago that the corruption train was like those long-haul trucks crossing the Ausie outback. It takes about a kilometre to stop, and its turn circle is very wide. It also takes a while to get momentum going, but once it does it takes a kilometre to stop. Let us hope that the corruption train has made its turn, and this is the start of some momentum in the right direction.  Not perfect, but better, for everyone.  

Can you believe half of 2021 done? Maybe I’m just getting older, but time seems to go by so much faster these days. 1 July also marks the start of the 2021 tax filing season so if you are expecting a refund, get that return in quickly. But prepare to get an audit and don’t take chances. Can anyone say “Home Office Expenses”? 

Just after the Finance Minister lamented the ineptitude of local Municipalities last month, dairy giant Clover announced that it will close its Lichtenburg cheese factory and relocate to Durban. This came after suffering large losses due to water and electricity supply interruptions as well as pothole ridden roads. A reported 330 people will lose their jobs in Lichtenburg and it sits squarely at the feet of the ANC led municipal council.  Like corruption, uselessness should also be tackled.

Stand-up comedy icon Jerry Seinfeld, estimated to be worth near US$ 950m after Netflix bought the rights to his show, says he is still working every day. Why? According to him consistency builds the capacity and ability to get more done. And by getting more done you increase your chances of realising your dreams.

As with the ovarian lottery discussed in Newsletter #26 you cannot control luck, you cannot control other people, you cannot control outcomes. But what you do control is how hard and how consistently you work. In his book ‘Tribe of Mentors’ Tim Ferris asked celebrities from all walks of life about their life lessons. For me actor Ashton Kuthcer summarised it well: When you start out rock up early, work f&*c$#@g hard and be kind. So that you earn the right to rock up late, but still work hard, and most of all, be kind.

In a time of 15-minute fame and instant success I fear that good old work ethic is lost upon the world. Many of us want to stay in bed and dream while we should rather get out of bed and make those dreams happen. Kudos also to Ashton who put his acting career on hold to assist law enforcement agencies in the fight against human trafficking – success comes in many forms and all heroes don’t wear capes.

Until next month, stay consistent and keep breathing, but most of all – be kind.