Tributum Newsletter #29
It was the best of times, it was the worst of times, it was the age of wisdom, it was the age of foolishness, it was the epoch of belief, it was the epoch of incredulity, it was the season of light, it was the season of darkness, it was the spring of hope, it was the winter of despair.”
Hello
Some of you may recognise the above as the first paragraph in the Dickens classic ‘A Tale of Two Cities’. How apt these words are to the month South Africa just experienced. Against all odds Jacob Zuma eventually went to jail, riots sparked widescale looting, loss of life and livelihoods (not to mention COVID and lockdown 4), rabbit in the head lights moments for the security forces and the Government at large, and the ultimate standing together and resilience of ordinary South Africans.
In his inaugural address to America the late JFK called to action its public by the iconic words “ask not what your country can do for you but what you can do for your country”. How he would have loved the SAFFA spirit of resilience. However, it is now time for South Africans to say to its Government – “Ask no longer what we can do for our country, we are asking what you are doing for us.” Yes, we are resilient, be we are also gatvol.
Unfortunately, taxpayers in South Africa cannot express their “gatvolness” by not paying their tax. Here Government have us over a barrel. They can hold us accountable, they can impose penalties and interest, they can take legal action. SARS is saying – “what are you paying for your country?” As citizens we have the right to ask – “where are you spending it?”. But these questions seem to fall on deaf ears. While the income grant has been re-instated, and a post-riot disaster relief fund established the questions remain whether it’s too little too late and also how it will be funded.
I played golf with one of the Newsletter’s readers during July and on the 5th hole at Humewood I chucked my ball into the bushes after a bad stretch of holes – I was gatvol. Tongue in cheek he asked me whether I will address that in the July newsletter. You will sometimes get a bad bounce after a good shot. You will get a bad lie that severely limits your options. You will fail. Its outside of your control. But, how you react to that situation is within your control. I’m not saying don’t get upset or even lose your temper (maybe just to make myself feel better). I’m saying, don’t let that prevent you from moving forward – be resilient. I played the next 4 holes only 2 over par by the way.
So, while we may be gatvol, we need to move forward. To borrow from one if my favourite poems ‘Do not go gentle into that good night’ by Dylan Thomas – “…Rage, rage against the dying of the light…”. Until next month, stay safe, fight against the dying of the light, and keep breathing.