SA Rocks

“Nationalism is an infantile disease. It is the measles of mankind” – Albert Einstein

I wholeheartedly believe that South Africa Rocks, but not due to some parochial only local is lekker jingoistic claptrap.
I am no patriot.

Humanity having come so far – are we as civilised beings – still expected to believe that the geographical location you happened to be born in should determine who you are as a person, what you believe in & what you serve. Once this line of logic is acceptable, it’s fairly easy to accept that the skin you were born in determines your destiny too. By accident of birth you may’ve been born in this country, in this colour of skin, brought up in this religion, that family.
But then.. we grow up. We get to choose.

I know why I’m still in South Africa, do you? What are your reasons for living in this wild and wonderful place?

Are you here because you’ve have seen extraordinary business opportunities that lie ripe for the picking; enjoy the pleasures of a beautiful natural landscape & climate; find that if you want meaningful work that can make a measurable difference in peoples lives; love the rich diversity of ideas, cultures and the thrill of being in a young developing country and knowing it’s possible to help swing the fortunes of this place with enough courage and vision.. or maybe you just irrationally fell in love with the country, for all her quirky humour & moodiness and somehow just couldn’t bear to leave?

Anything in fact, but the darkly destructive sense of entitlement, merely because this is the place you were born, your territory for which you would die.. from this egg, division spawned and wars are hatched. When people feel like they own something, unearned but merely by default, the surest follow-on is to find fault.

It happens with almost anything we get without feeling like we’ve worked for it. No matter how valuable, or attractive. That which comes too easily to us, we discount & often despise. Neitzsche once said that the value of a thing lies not in what one attains, but in what one pays for it. Applicable to goodies, love, sex, your home, country, planet. If we don’t choose it and set about to make it our own, we act like spoilt children and destroy the toy. It’s just the way our human brains are wired to operate. Once this basic neural-programming is understood we can see more clearly why one-night stands are as effective for romance, as charity in fixing Africa’s problems. It feels good in the moment, but the long-term sustainability. zero.

If you’re willing to stay here, know for sure why you’re investing your energy time and money.
If you’re in the wrong place, for goodness sake find where you really want to be and get going, tempus fugit!
But if you have the elements of genius necessary to help clean up, take up the challenge of making SA rock you inspire me to do my best too.

South Africa has produced some top class whines. Sharp-edged cynicism certainly helps us see things as they are, but through courageous visionaries we see things the way they ought to, or can yet be. More sour grape vintages we don’t need. Seek out the company of those who can see further, who are here because they accept the challenges ahead, gather with others of strong heart & mind to create communities where creative genius is rewarded …and we may soon find ourselves knee-deep in a harvest of bounty.
Connecting those who see things as they are, with those who see it as it can be and offering the space for genius solutions to come forward may well be our only hope against kakistocracy (oh yes, this is indeed a real word & not some Sethefrican tsotsietaal – from the Greek kakistos κακιστος – meaning goverment by the worst people – honest!) – maybe this is such place.

“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has” – Margaret Mead anthropologist

PS. respect to the Quirk guys for handling the whine festival around the SA Blog Awards with such style!

PPS. from another outrageously beautiful summer’s day in Cape Town as Jo’burg prepares for a heat wave.. in signature passionate style this is Maximillian Kaizen rocking it from the little Mothercity, honoured to be invited to the SA Rocks team.. (though who knows if it’ll stand after Nic reads this!) wishes for an unexpectedly brilliant week to you >> make it ROCK!

Similar Posts:

• Talent Banking : SA’s best & brightest
• Are we just a nation of copy.cats?
• Why don’t we all live in Mauritius?
• Do we need a ZA 12 step program here?
• Mrs Balls of Steel

Popularity: 2% [?]