21/02/2024
As South Africa faces the next National and Provincial elections, I think it is time to start talking about the key issues in the hopes that we can avoid wide scale apathy, and a further decline of a once efficient and productive nation.
Recent discussions with "your average South African" has caused me quite some concern, as the general attitude is one of "what difference will my vote make" or "I don't know how to change the situation" or worse, "I am not bothering, the system is too corrupt so it won't change anything"
An overwhelming number of people I've spoken with have no interest in voting, or are just voting the same party they have always voted.... Without looking at any facts.
This made me look at this,and as usual, to share my un-popular opinion on the subject.
I like to look at this from a business perspective. So here is my take:
First some "laws" I think may apply here.
1. People who are undecided, will not act. So people who are unsure who to vote for will stay home on election day.
2. When people act from emotion, their judgement will be clouded by that emotion.
3. Parties will play on emotions and emotional stress points to win loyalty and votes. These include highly emotional topics like racism, gender issues, corruption, unemployment, etc.
4. A multi-party election will only dilute the votes that are not for the ruling party, and that will mean that instead of it being a two party or three party race, the field is so full of confusing messages from so many parties, that the ruling party can win simply by making sure that non-loyal voters votes experience a shot gun effect, with no clear contender challenging them for government.
5. SA is a beautiful country, with wonderful people of all ethnics, colours, and creeds. The days of elections being about the colour of one's skin needs to be behind us, and the focus needs to be on one thing, and one thing only.... Competence.
I am forced to ask myself, is South Africa salvageable? I can see from virtually every arm of government that it is circling the drain administratively.
Throughout our lives, we are graded and assessed, for school, for sport, for work, for marriage, for finance, for promotions, etc.
We have to PROVE our competence in EVERY instance. We have to give others confidence in our ability by showing them our past track record. Then, if we are lucky, and we get selected, then we have to CONTINUE TO PERFORM!
We cannot make excuses and place blame elsewhere. If we perform, we are safe, if not, we are history. It is all very analytical, and BASED ON PERFORMANCE.
Ok so let's ignore the emotional issues in today's SA, so no talk about load shedding, state capture or corruption, etc. instead we look at 2 key grades of performance of a country:
1. The value of our currency in relation to the global benchmark currency. (USA $)
This measures how the world outside SA sees us as a worthwhile partner for risk. The way the country is managed has everything to do with this.
In 1994, the Rand was at R3.61 to $1. Today the same $1 will cost R18.79. The value of SA to the world, is less than 1/5th of what it was worth before the current Govt took office.
2. Unemployment. The upholding of the local economy is a key duty of government. This is measured by employment statistics.
In 1994, SA's rate of unemployment was 13% nationwide. Today it is 34% or worse. Almost 3x worse under current government.
It seems apparent that things could be better.
So, how do we solve this. Based on the "laws" I mentioned above it is critical to remove emotions and uncertainty from the equation.
I would advise every South African, that is registered to vote, to act in the following manner:
1. Recognise that you have the power to improve your country and your own living situation by voting for a better management.
2. Realise that if you do nothing, and don't vote, then you are guilty of allowing the country and your friends, family and nation to suffer the hardships brought about by bad management.
3. Commit yourself to removing emotions and bias from your mind when deciding who to vote for.
4. Know that by voting, it is like we are shareholders in SA and we are appointing the managers to run our country in our best interests, and that this management must be expected to be competent to manage a country.
5. So, brushing aside all emotions, conflicts, rumours and bias. Look at the parties running for election this year and ask this one question:
Do they have a proven track record of managing a town / city / province / country effectively?
Ignore their manifestos, ignore promises, and media. Just look for competence.
When / if you find this competence, decide to support this group, and vote for them.
If you want to be a real agent for positive change, then share this post, talk to those you know, and inspire them to take action too.
I will be doing what I can to make our beautiful nation better. I hope you will too.
