A man skilled in his work will stand before kings, not mere men

Proverbs 22:29 talks about how if you are skilled and disciplined in your work, the results will be known by those in influential and impactful platforms. This is encouraging, but for me, it is not the full story. I like to refer to this scripture whenever I reflect on the last 10 years of my career that began at the early age of 16. For the most part, I may have ticked the academic and skills boxes, but all the credit genuinely belongs to the Lord, who has privileged me with access to kings AND ordinary men who I would honestly say have informed my why. 

In this blog post, I reflect on my milestones, my purpose, and my next as I look to enter into my 'Jesus' years, the 30s.  

I love the African Continent and especially my country, South Africa. We arguably offer world class opportunities and the favour of nature. It is my belief that we have everything we need to thrive in all spheres of life and society. We have some glaring challenges and shadows to our becoming. One of the obvious shared ones are the state and leadership of our public and private sector and their contribution to the collective wellness and engagement of our country. A sick society is one in contention with those who have the privilege and resource to shape what that society looks like.

In the last decade of my career as I bid farewell to my 20s [April 1995], and look forward to my 30s, it's been a challenge, privilege and great honor to have served this continent and country, as a journalist, media practitioner and now advocacy communications specialist.

I have worked in nine countries on the continent and provided communications support and advice to many nations, general elections, and governments. I have been involved in global conversations and campaigns and have produced multimedia material that has added to what is needed to craft a thriving, inclusive economy and global system that shapes and is shaped by the realities and needs of people.

As a people over profits, to profit? believer ( social entrepreneur). I believe that more can come from the private sector if it can, in its pursuit of revenue and growth, center the human experience around the building of its functions. This would strongly resonate with citizens, especially given the context our country comes from (colonial and an apartheid state), which we still are in recovering from.

Additionally, in the South African context, the people's mandated institutions, through its wings < government, media, judiciary and legislature and executive, hold both the privilege and responsibility to better lead the functioning of our country and its interactions at policy level and governance within a global framework. We already produce world-class scientists, athletes, and artists. I believe that each wing can do better to frame and co-govern this country towards a consolidated system and position it to thrive.

As Africans, notwithstanding our economic challenges, we have the raw materials, human resources and blueprint that can be referenced globally.

In South Africa, as a young democracy with a median age of 29, our investment in young people's potential and passion is the minefield we stand on and often underutilise. Young people have turned from waiting for a table to be created for them. We have begun to build our table and turned away from the temptation of capitalism to 'compete' and build high walls. Instead, we have opted to build longer tables, where engagement and the sharing of dynamic views and values can coexist towards crafting a society we can all contribute to.

To anyone in their 20s, I now feel old at 29, haha, but my advice would be to harness your passions and partner them with purpose and a mission to embody the change you wish to see in the world.

It is difficult and inauthentic to champion or advocate for something far removed from your lived experience, personal values and beliefs.

One of the taglines of my company, Ideas That Walk, through our leadership development hub, offered across the continent, is that we get leaders we deserve because they come from our society and mirror its realities publicly.

Who you choose to become privately has a direct consequence on who you are publicly.

I plan to use my 30s to build a continued legacy of access. I want the ordinary girl and boy who come from humble beginnings to feel equally empowered to engage in the shaping of the country.

I want the ordinary girl and boy who come from humble beginnings and systemic limitations to feel equally empowered to engage in the shaping of the country. Many of us come from unfavourable conditions, and we must never underestimate the dire and continued consequences of colonialism and apartheid on us as a continent and global community. This matters and must never be ignored as it continues to shape our understanding of the world in great lengths. 

The good news is that the world needs more people who will allow themselves to positively and meaningfully shape this world; because of where they come from, we all have something meaningful to contribute.

Dig deep into your why and allow community in to contribute to shaping your how.

Regards

Zamayirha, through my lens; faith, family and healing.