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The Neighbourly Code…

Written by Bongeka
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Remember the story of the Good Samaritan? Well, for those who don’t know let me share a quick summary:

The parable of the Good Samaritan is told by Jesus in Luke 10:25–37. It is about a Jewish man who was travelling from Jerusalem to Jericho. He was stripped of his clothing, beaten, and left half dead alongside the road. First a priest and then a Levite comes by, but both avoid the man. Finally, a Samaritan saw the man and felt compassion for him. Samaritans and Jews generally despised each other, but the Samaritan helped the injured Jewish man. Jesus was telling the parable in response to the question from a lawyer, “Who is my neighbour?” who Leviticus 19:18 says should be loved. In response, Jesus tells the parable, the conclusion of which is that the neighbour figure in the parable is the man who shows mercy to the injured man—that is, the Samaritan.   The greatest lesson from this story is that our neighbour is anyone of any race, creed, or social background who is in need.

As I was reflecting on the Good Samaritan story, I was overwhelmed with fond memories of my childhood growing up in a small township in Kwa-Zulu Natal, South Africa. I always think that back then, social relations where so much simpler and purer. I don’t know whether it was because I viewed life through the naïve yet pure lenses of a child. But I recall how our neighbours could come home and say “Sanibonani, ninjani? umama ungithumile bethisicela ukunana ushukela” meaning- “Greetings, how are you? Mum has sent me and warmly asked if you could share some sugar with us”.

Our response – we would gladly offer our neighbour the sugar and instances where we lacked something and going to town was too far we knew which neighbours to run too.

What I loved about this experience is that there was no shame in asking for help and receiving help. It was like there is this unwritten law that as neighbours we are dependent on each other. The sugar example is just a small illustration, there are many other greater examples, like how neighbours came to support those who lost their loved ones.

It was a beautiful time to experience that kind of community. Now we live in the big cities where to be honest I don’t even know my neighbours name though we have exchanged greetings a few times. If I lacked something – going to my neighbours for help will probably be the last thing I did – why? Because, we live in the “don’t bother me and I won’t bother you society”

Even years before our continent (Africa) was colonised and we got to hear of the Good Samaritan story, the concept of ‘one hand washing the other’ – Ubuntu has always existed.

I love how author Sindiwe Magona puts it “…human beings are interdependent. It is the indispensable nature of being human. No one is complete or can be completely human without interaction and, to a lesser or greater degree, dependence on another” (Chasing the Tails of My Father’s Cattle; pg 19; 2015)

In the business world, we look at Ubuntu and lessons from the Good Samaritan as just soft issues that don’t affect the bottom line. Well, I beg to differ, whether we choose to admit it or not the core of us is human and history always teaches us to get the basics right before proceeding further.

Even if one is a CEO, as untouchable as that role may seem – but no CEO can be successful without their respective customers, their teams and adherence to the laws of the land they operate in.

So, the enjoy life tip is this: Perhaps what we need is this unwritten ‘neighbourly code’ tattooed in our hearts and minds. This code will ensure that from “Caretaker to Customer” we act in ways that dignify others always.

What are your thoughts on this topic? Please feel free to share at – bongeka@fresh.penthevision.co.za

Nation Building,

Do you believe in change? Yes, isn’t a good enough answer.

Written by Bongeka
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We have heard some interesting and powerful quotes about change. Some of the ones that stand out for me are:

“Everyone thinks of changing the world, but no one thinks of changing himself.”
― Leo Tolstoy

“Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
― Mahatma Gandhi

But as I was reflecting on my experiences both in the work setting and personal space, I just felt that the below image captured human behaviour in the context of change.

Image courtesy of: https://www.torbenrick.eu/blog/change-management/change-management-comic-strips/

The image above captures visually some of the frustrations that I have encountered working with various teams and leaders in different organisations. As a Change Management Specialist, it’s so amazing how many organisations and leaders can say all the amazing and ‘right’ things about how much they believe in change as block one of the image illustrates.

But block two of the image is where you able to separate the sheep from the goats. It’s shocking how people will say all the right things about wanting to change and improve their environments, but as soon as that very change requires them as individuals to change, suddenly people begin to resist. It’s easy for people to want everyone else to change and the environment to change but they themselves are unwilling to change. I suspect that the reason why many projects/ideas that pertain to change don’t always become successful is this issue. Imagine this, if we have an organisation of 50 people and 48 of those are thinking in the above manner, surely nothing will change because you are waiting for the next person and the next person is waiting for the next and so forth.

Block three of the image is perhaps the most eye watering, again some in leadership positions will say the most beautiful things about change, but when you want to engage them further so that they play a leading role in advocating for the change, they are MIA! (Missing in Action).

Simple examples include leaders who don’t respond to your emails, leaders who don’t make time to come to meetings where key decisions need to be made, leaders who play the blame game instead of coming up with solutions, leaders who are constantly “busy” sitting in meetings but with no value add, the list is endless.

I think we can come to a common agreement that anything that doesn’t change eventually dies. Even in our own lives it is eye watering to see how many people say they believe in change but do nothing to improve their lives. There are even instances where change knocks on people’s lives because it’s such an inevitable process and yet still people resist.

I don’t think we should view believing in change as a feel good ‘mantra’. Even in the political scene everyone will be chanting about the ‘dawn of a new day’ when new reign of power ascends the stage. But I am always left in wonder post the charismatic feel good speeches and I always want to truly know, does this leader really believe in change. And the Yes answer doesn’t fully satisfy me. I think most people will relate and say over and above the yes, can we see leaders taking accountability for the things they have said, can they practice daily that which they preach? can there be less elaborate talk and more elaborate action?

You see my friend the proverb remains relevant even today – “Action speaks louder than words!”

Nation Building,

Mr President, who are you really?

Written by Bongeka
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My parents and I were driving and listening to the news on radio. As we were listening, we noticed that the newsreader used designated political titles for all the leaders she was referring to except one. When she mentioned the President of the Republic of South Africa, she kept on referring to him as “Mr Zuma”. My parents were taken aback by this and they mentioned how shocked they were that this newsreader did not refer to Jacob Zuma as President Jacob Zuma.

Come to think of it, there is sadly not much respect in the nation for our president. I hardly hear any one put the title president before his first name. I know that the public is tired of the drama that has surrounded his presidency and perhaps struggle to see any good in him. I am also aware that the South African context is not a unique case in that there are numerous nations in the world who are not happy with their Presidents. I think of the United States of America, though there are mixed perceptions about Donald Trump, I have heard various news stations consistently refer to him as President Donald Trump.

Has the presidency title lost its “honour” in South Africa? I recall a conversation I had with my younger sister recently. I tried to make her feel guilty for not showering and changing into clean clothes. I said to her, “Please love yourself, go take a shower and change those shabby clothes, what would you do if the president came and you looked like that?” Her response, “Which president? Ours…hahahaha…I couldn’t care less.” My sister is a born free, by the way.

I usually shy away from writing and talking about politics because it’s one of those never-ending dialogues and truly speaking I prefer leaving the intricacies of political activity to the political analysts. However, I thought perhaps let me pen some of the questions that are on my mind. Maybe the President will one day speak the whole truth and nothing but the truth.

How do I feel about President Jacob Zuma? Well, I respect President Jacob Zuma because I was raised to respect my elders. I respect him as a man made in the image of God, the creator. I respect him as a human being because as a self-proclaimed Human Rights Activist, I believe that he too has inalienable rights. I respect him because my faith teaches me to pray for leaders in government.

We have seen through the media scandals how the paradox of the honourable title is losing its honour. Long before his inauguration, we were informed of the corrupt controversial relationship that President Jacob Zuma shared with Schabir Shaik. More troubling information surfaced around the President’s involvement in the arms deal.

After being inaugurated we came to learn of the various successful attempts to weaken once previously independent prosecutorial institutions for the President’s own gain. And of course, the heart-breaking revelations on Nkandla in the Public Prosecutors report.

I have read a few books on President Jacob Zuma political journey and have witnessed the various media and social media campaigns about him and these portray a very unpleasant depiction of one of “Umkhonto wesizwe’s” heroes.

Mr President please allow me to ask these questions. I know that this information is not new to you, our parliament has become a sight for entertainment. Numerous times opposition parties have asked you to account for the scandals that surround you, you remained silent and indifferent. You have been investigated countless times, found to be in the wrong and yet no justice served at the end of the day.

To me it seems like you are this super human where nothing sticks to you. I would humbly like to know – who are you really, Mr President?

I wonder what you are truly passionate about. Is it better education in our country? Is it land reform for those stripped of what was birth fully and rightfully theirs? Is it seeing a progressive economy?

When you lay down to sleep what do you think about? When you awake what is the first thing that comes to your mind? You are human after all.

I consider myself part of those who want to work to make South Africa a better country. I believe that your generation did tremendous work in giving us the baton of freedom. Yes, you fought in the struggle against Apartheid and in many ways, I am grateful for some of the opportunities that came in post-Apartheid South Africa.

But I worry Mr President that some of the decisions you have made will undo the great foundation that many of the great freedom fighters lost their lives for. I am more concerned about our generation and the next, what legacy will we leave for them? Will there be a democratic South Africa where human rights are not just words on a page but truly lived out in state institutions and where leaders are able to surrender their greed for the benefit of all, so I ask you again Mr President, who are you really?

Nation Building,