Leverage the Potential

How can I not start off by commenting on our country's state of the nation address proceedings last night? I think the way in which the event rolled out, painted a better picture of the actual state of the nation, than did the words used in the president's speech. Not a very inspiring affair at all. I must admit I did not get to watch the speech through to the end as my recording was cut short just after the land repatriation delivery, so I may have missed out on the uplifting gems...

After what I watched, I realise we have a long hard road ahead of us in South Africa. It will take a few men and women with Mandela-like attitudes, who want to serve the country rather than being served, to bring out the best in what our country and people have to offer. Until then, only a minority will actually benefit and the division and segregation we see today will continue to escalate. Not a very positive outlook I know, but a reality snapshot. I immediately had thoughts of my friends in Australia, and wonder if they have felt a bit torn about renouncing their South African citizenship to become Australian citizens or if watching last night's address reinforced that they had done the right thing and perhaps it is something I should be considering for the sake of my children? I love South Africa and its wonderful potential it has to offer. I love the lifestyle I have and the freedom to do the things I enjoy doing. I wish every citizen could enjoy the standard of living I have available but with almost a quarter of the population unemployed, that is a huge gap to close. Only by pulling the people of our nation together, not driving them apart, can we achieve common goals for the betterment of all. How then can we turn things around? Firstly the leadership of the country is what we have at the moment because they have been chosen by the people. When the people are educated and their eyes are opened to the corruption and misappropriation that is now the norm, leaders of suitable character can be elected. There are already those people in the ranks trying to make the difference we so desperately need. That is no quick process and I believe we have to pray for acceleration of that change in the leadership. We also need to stand together as communities for what is right. Bemoaning conditions and spreading negativity does not help any situation but only breads hopelessness. Do something to start making the difference you desire. Come alongside other like-minded people and as a group with aligned voices, surely your message will be clearer than a group of individuals all shouting differently. Once a group with a clear direction of positive change is heard, others will join until the message cannot be ignored and change will be brought about. The choice is yours to continue complaining in small groups or halt the negativity and turn it into an catalyst for change. As a country and as a people we have everything we need to be a very successful nation. We just need to leverage the potential that is already there. Here's to road ahead and strength to all who will join me on that road.