South Africans were overwhelmed with the choice of where to put their X. The biggest danger in this situation is that the voters disengage – and make no choice at all…
07 June 2024
More than 60 countries have elections happening in 2024. The highest amount of any year in history. A few days ago, South Africans went to the polls for what was surely our most important election to date.
With a nation and an economy that is still bruised and recovering from a global pandemic, the choices we made at the polls this year not only reflect our past, they speak volumes about our present and ultimately define our future.
But, somehow, as people queued to make their mark - the concept of a “Rainbow Nation” seemed to be a distant memory. Service delivery issues and high unemployment, especially in Gauteng and KwaZulu-Natal, threaten the ANC’s majority in these two key provinces that are likely to determine the outcome of the election, forcing the governing party to form a coalition government in these two regions.
Experts have predicted some ‘watershed moments’ in the outcome of this year's election - with some hitherto unheard-of possibilities of divisions and coalitions in the race to secure the ruling majority of seats in parliament.
It’s essential to keep abreast of all possible outcomes for the benefit of your clients future.
Why?
Because it’s in our nature to forge the brightest future possible. It’s in our culture to preserve a hard-earned legacy. And now, as the fragile gift we call democracy hangs in its most precarious position to date, it’s more important than ever to CONNECT.
South Africans were overwhelmed with the choice of where to put their X. The biggest danger in this situation is that the voters disengage – and make no choice at all.
Have we made the choices that will preserve Madiba’s legacy?
Have we voted for a person, a party or a future?
In the race to achieve - or retain - a position of power, there’s nothing quite like an election cycle for people to show their true colours. Agendas become disturbingly transparent and the air is thick with insincerity.
There are certain gifted people that have the ability to capture the essence of a thesis in a single sentence.
It’s time to unpack Election 2024’s Divisions, Decisions, Collusions and Collisions.
Land. As a verb - and as a noun - it has all the positive connotations of being solid, rooted, grounded in earth.
But: add the words ‘expropriation’, ‘compensation’ or ‘reform’ to the mix and you will inevitably elicit a visceral response. And a strong debate. People are seldom neutral when it comes to this particular issue.
18th century philosopher Jean-Jacques may have been onto something when he said:
"You forget that the fruits belong to all and that the land belongs to no one."
Unchartered waters, Uncharted terrain, possibilities, probabilities, risk and uncertainty are all concepts that can trigger a sense of instability, insecurity and urgency. This is the shaky ground that we tread during something like an election, and in a fearful and financially fraught state, the last thing we should be doing is making decisions - especially as investors - that enormously impact our future. Just breathe. Help is at hand.
We are the generation of emotionally intelligent, communicative people. We talk about our feelings. Most of the time to a therapist who is overcharging by the hour!
For the last 4 years, we’ve had a resident shrink that we consult with regularly to ensure that we understand the forces at play when we need to make decisions about money; That all our ducks are not only in a row, but quacking on cue!
Success and optimism are a CHOICE - not a CIRCUMSTANCE!
When it comes to embracing the new political reality that faces us: We just have to hold ourselves responsible for maintaining the most basic human values of Honesty, Integrity, Accountability and Empathy.
Regardless of the circumstances - one thing we know - warriors that we may be - Mzansi has proven time and time again that there is no shortage of the desire or ability to Adjust, Re-calibrate, Re-charter and FLOURISH!
Stay healthy. Stay caring. Stay safe. But most importantly: STAY CONNECTED. Goodbye and God Bless.