Hi there,
The most magical thing in life is hope. With just a smidgeon, mankind becomes able to bear incredible hardship. Without it, even the most privileged life can become a gilded cage. A pit of despair from which there seems no escape.
Occasionally one bumps into fellow South Africans whose lives are so dark that on the sunniest of days, they bring thunder. They see half-full glasses even when expensive bubbly is on tap.
Because of the way I earn a living, when spotted in the crowd – especially after delivering a presentation – society’s ultimate nihilists seem to regard it as their mission to explain the error of my optimistic ways. They offer no easy escape. The only upside is that getting dumped on develops tolerance.
During such tirades, I’m usually at a loss. Nodding only encourages them to close the conversion deal. Trying to get a word in requires over-talking. And that’s rude. But in future, there’s Bobby Godsell to call on.
Bobby calls himself a grateful pensioner, although as chairman of Business SA, he’s hardly retired. He was, for me, the highlight in a star-studded cast at this week’s Joburg Mining Indaba. His message will linger long after I’ve forgotten that the forceful presentation by the world’s best share promoter, Robert Friedland.
Godesell reminded us the wisdom of appreciating we are part of a collective. That despite the wide acceptance of a “service of self” propagated by Ayn Rand Capitalists, human beings are only truly happy when contributing to something bigger than themselves.
So the next time some Perth-bound fellow tries to brow-beat me about how our nation is in a state of terminal decline, I’ll patiently wait my turn. When it comes, instead of responding with facts, the reply will be vintage Godsell with a touch of John F Kennedy.
What, Dear Sir, have you done for your country lately? When last did you read the cornerstone of our society, the world’s best Constitution? The one giving you inalienable rights to participate in a non-racial, non-sexist democracy. In a South Africa here for all its people. And if you don’t think that’s happening, what have you done about changing it?
Before his keynote, Godsell, the former CEO of Anglogold Ashanti, made sure that there were Active Citizenry signup forms on every chair. I signed up. So did most of the 200 or so others in the room. That’s going to add four hours a month to my schedule. One hour a week. Hardly a hardship for the privilege of living in the most magnificent country on earth.
The Joburg Mining Indaba’s chairman Bernard Swanepoel says Godsell’s message was so relevant that it turned the conference’s mood on its head. Pre-Godsell the talk was all about mining’s problems. Post his keynote, the focus switched to seeking solutions.
Amazing how powerful a little bit of hope can be.
Until next week.
Best
Alec
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