/ 17 November 2011

What did you do to improve someone’s life today?

On a regular basis South Africans are bombarded with a veritable tsunami of depressing statistics, exposés and headlines. My wife is a Talk Radio 702 junkie, so I know, all too well, how the negativity can seem overwhelming.

I receive incessant reminders of South Africa’s “challenges”. For example, this is a land that may run out of viable water resources relative to demand within less than a generation. It’s a nation with young adult unemployment levels that make Great Depression statistics look like an afternoon kiddie’s party in comparison. It’s a country with the triple burden of HIV/Aids, TB, and high infant/maternal mortality rates. Depending on which data are referenced there may be as many as four million orphans. Examples of profligate, corrupt, incompetent and ostentatious public “servants” abound and the business sector is comprised of some who are far too willing to engage in price-fixing, rent-seeking and other less than savoury practices in pursuit of profits, bigger bonuses, larger homes, fancier cars, upmarket parties and sushi.

The M&G caught up with various participants at the Qiniso dialogues to find out how they have been inspired to bring about change in their own lives, their communities and the country at large.

Unions readily take to the streets, exercising their constitutional right to strike and often in the process conveniently detach themselves from their obligation to respect others’ rights, as these rights relate to property, life and limb. This is a highly unequal society with deep structural challenges and psychological wounds inflicted in the past that stubbornly haunt the present. Moreover, social cohesion is not where it should be and the perspective held by many appears to be “it’s all about me, and by ‘me’ I don’t mean you or us”.

The preceding litany of challenges is by no means exhaustive. The issues will not be resolved in the short term, but they must be resolved with resolve. As Maya Angelou once said: “You will face many defeats in your life, but never let yourself be defeated.”

Giving me hope is the many South Africans from all walks of life who through their actions and commitment are changing this country for the better — one day and one act at a time. I consider myself part of this change process. As small as my contribution may be, I’ve decided to make it and to do it as best as I can, consistently. So when I heard about the Qiniso Dialogues and an invitation was extended to me to participate, I readily accepted and was excited to play a part.

The dialogue presented an opportunity for me to engage with a progressively minded group of people and be part of a stream of the ongoing South African project to create a new and better society.

The group assembled on the day was eclectic. It was comprised of individuals involved in the spheres of education, religion, investments, non-profits, entrepreneurship, the arts, politics, publishing, healthcare and others. The programme was highly interactive, interrogative, reflective and condensed.

At times I felt as though the agenda was too rushed and I wanted to engage with my fellow group members more … reflect more. But to the conveners’ credit, they managed to create the right agenda and atmosphere to allow for a rapport to quickly develop between participants, facilitating honest, direct, robust and constructive interactions. No punches were pulled, but no one was left feeling bruised either. In fact, I think it was a wholly enriching experience for everyone concerned.

I am convinced that the tsunami of challenges this nation faces will be no match for the advancing, higher walls of hope, commitment, goodwill and the indomitable spirit to overcome the odds that permeates this country and her people. All of these best characteristics were brilliantly on display during the dialogue.

In concluding the session, we developed a set of questions that would inform the five final questions that emerge from this multi-stage process. In the final analysis, the value of the sessions will be in the actions it promotes all South Africans to take.

I left the session feeling profoundly blessed to have interacted with some incredible human beings. I am sure they will continue to play a meaningful and constructive role in this country. I also left the session asking myself a fundamental question. I hope to ask, answer and act upon the answer to this question with the same regularity I pray, brush my teeth and shower. The question, simple and profound, is: What are you doing to improve someone’s life today?

Herman Warren is a managing partner at Hela Network, a mobile content service provider.