Daily Insider: Encountering that rare quality of the understatement

LATEST ON BIZNEWS RADIO iTunes: Meet polymath scientist Zeblon Vilakazi – the Katlehong kid who became Wits Vice Chancellor via a PhD, nuclear physics, CERN – and discipline. (Click here for Spotify).LATEST ON BIZNEWS.COM: .Helen Zille on W Cape's push for greater self-rule: The time is ripe, Pretoria's failing state is on full display "South Africa is at a turning point" – Q&A with RW Johnson ANCYL 'observers' of Russian referendums in Ukraine a ridiculous moveMosebenzi Zwane in the dock on Gupta-linked Estina dairy project Western Cape Independence lobbyist Phil Craig sees another step toward Cape secession – and antidote to ANC/EFF alliancePaul O'Sullivan's open letter: Fix the criminal justice system post-haste! 'The pandemic that never was' – Dr Nathi Mdladla breaks down the REAL reasons for excess deathsPrasa can't even offer a comprehensive rail service anymoreThe Dow is officially in a bear market. Here's what to know. (Premium) .NB: Getting this newsletter second hand? Click here for your own copy. It's free and takes under a minute..Living among them taught me that among the best qualities of British people is a deep affection for the understatement. Personal humility is a national obsession. Boasting an ostracisable offence. Self-created tall poppies get scythed with gay abandon. Many successful Brits take pride in driving old cars and living in homes needing licks of paint..In a long career engaging with public persona, I've found understatement to be rare in South Africa. Many of our celebrated personalities – from business, the arts or politics – prefer the American approach. You know, the marketing-based idea that best you blow your own trumpet because nobody else will..Occasionally, however, you come across local exceptions. Wits Vice-Chancellor Prof "call me Zeblon" Vilakazi, whom I spent time in-studio with yesterday, possesses refreshing humility. A role model for thousands this Katlehong-raised nuclear physicist who is fluent in nine languages gives all the credit to the teachers who paid attention to his pre-adolescent self. .Ditto my ever-patient golf coach Leigh-Jane Middleton, an athlete-turned-entrepreneur who runs the Bryanston Country Club practice facility. Leigh, I've just discovered, also happens to be a national director of the PGA, SA golf's umbrella body. Sufficiently understated to qualify as an honorary Brit. As would Zeblon. Nice..data-title=" "South Africa is at a turning point" – Q&A with RW JohnsonIn this Q&A with RW Johnson after his "South Africa is at a turning point" speech he discusses the possibility of a repeat of July 2021's civil unrest, where he gets his information, and where he sees South Africa in 5-10 years.".To receive the Daily Insider every weekday at 6am in your inbox click here. You can also sign up to the weekend's BizNews Digest for a wrap of the best content BizNews has to offer, for a leisurely Saturday read.

Daily Insider: Encountering that rare quality of the understatement

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