It is said that ‘if you dwell with a lame man, you will learn how to limp’. Way back when I was a young boy, my father (may his soul rest in peace), would ask that I accompany him to a ‘job’. Yes ‘job’ that’s what he called it. He was an electrician by training and outside of his formal Monday to Friday would make connections for new houses, and repair electrical gadgets, especially stoves. Now and again, a client from the suburbs would give him an old stove after buying a brand one. My father would repair the furnace and resell it at a decent profit. He would explain the Math to me with such pride. My mother always used to complain that he sold the best stoves and yet we didn’t have a reliable one. All I remember is that after my father died we always used to have stove problems. But I have digressed. Let me come back.

Beyond winning

Earlier I taught you about a life beyond money. When they tell me about the importance of money, I always say first there was God then money. Don’t confuse that order, please. Quickly. Today I want to teach you about a life well lived- beyond winning. The school system and other sports have socialised us to always consider winning. Becoming first in class, first in a race, etc. What if I told you that life is more than that?

Run to where you are celebrated

You will soon realise that not everyone will like you, despite all your good intentions. This is a universal law. So don’t let it bother you at all. Where you sense opposition, intolerance, or even a hostile atmosphere I recommend that you move on. Quickly. Good intentions are not always perceived as such by many. They may think you are angling for something, that you are deceiving them, that there is something for you. That may hurt, but as I said this happens to many of us.

The Temptations of Power

Last week was a bit difficult for all of us. Seeing you not feeling well and unable to go to school was a bit too much for me. Anyways Ruby provided some comic relief during the ride to school as she always does. 

Stay in your lane

I am a firm believer in benchmarking. This is an important undertaking- it helps one glean from best practices and make necessary adjustments where needed. The past five years have mostly been about building- physical buildings and institutions. It has not been easy, though. There has always been that voice that challenges you and makes you have second thoughts if you are the right person for the task. My approach has always entailed continuous learning. I never position myself as an expert in anything but a student. That posture has helped me keep gleaning from what others are doing and learning from the best that there is.

You have on various occasions challenged me on why I work so hard, yet I don't have a boss. I remember showing Dalitso the photo of our board chair and she said ah that's Uncle Bheki, that can't be your boss. At times I have said Mummy is my boss, but Ruby has always dismissed that by saying she is your wife. So, who is my boss?

I am writing during what may be called “bed rest”. I am tired. I'm not sure if it's physical fatigue but it may just be mental fatigue (but not soliciting sympathy). I am in this situation because of the poor choices that I have made in recent months. You see I have increased the portfolio of work that I do. Officially I work for SIVIO Institute on a full-time basis. That alone is fulfilling and requires more than eight hours per day. I do it without complaining. It's a calling. At the beginning of the year, I said to my colleagues let's do less but effectively. It sounded good. But literally by the end of January, I had increased my portfolio of work by embarking on an audacious long-term resilience project by investing in an agri-business. As you already know I am a hands-on person. So, I have added a new set of responsibilities (meetings, budgeting, planning, and travel) to an already busy schedule. I assumed that I would slow down on commissioned work- but we (family and the Institute) need the extra income. So, I have been busy with commissioned work. As you grow there are no excuses for lack of delivery on commissioned work. It’s been extreme, and that’s perhaps why I have not been writing you letters lately.