Written by: Siphiwe Chris Mathebula
Article source: JOY! Magazine
There is a personal vision and a national vision. A statesman/woman is one who merges their personal vision with the national vision. The national vision starts with embracing the green revolution, which is taking care of our environment and ensuring that we reduce carbon emissions. This means we need to seek ways of disposing of our rubble without compromising the environment. A cleaner environment is part of the many goals of the national vision which focuses on these and many others: a cleaner environment, safer communities, and a thriving economy.
Backed by action
We can celebrate New Year festivities without burning tires and without damaging public property. Countries that are thriving have a strong vision. Many people would argue and say; “But South Africa also has a strong vision.” What then is the difference between South Africa and other more advanced nations? Action! A vision must be backed by action.
Every country has had critical problems
What I am proposing is a love for the next generation and standing in the gap for them. This doesn’t happen in a vacuum. It takes today’s generation to set the tone and stage for tomorrow’s success. In South Africa, much of what we take for granted was brought through much sacrifice. Bringing gold to the surface is a sacrifice. The political freedom we enjoy today was achieved through sacrifice.
Refuse the status quo
We also can refuse the status quo. We don’t have to accept the high unemployment rate, the low economic growth rate, violence, and corruption as our lot in life. Let us refuse what we are not, to become who we want to be. We have good resources. We have good policies, including one of the best constitutions in the world (we must implement them!). We overcame apartheid without massive killings.
The significance of the Nobel Peace Prize
The following point is deeply significant: Mandela shared the Nobel Peace Prize with the man who had released him, President FW de Klerk, because they agreed on a peaceful transition to majority rule. They understood that peace was the real prize of democracy. The greatest honour that we could bestow on these gentlemen is to live with integrity and make a concerted effort to be peaceful and loving citizens, whether at home, at work, or at play. It is their common vision that brought a solution to a long-standing problem in South Africa.
We can choose our thoughts!
We can influence our future in positive and impactful ways. We fool ourselves into believing we are too powerless to act on things and bring massive change. How do we want to be remembered? For the problems we solved, the problems we created, or the problems we escaped from? We have the choice to rise to the occasion or to vanish. History will always remember those who took a stand.
Visions inspire others
A prosperous South Africa is possible if we understand that everything starts as an idea, as a dream, and as a vision. That vision should be so big that it scares us; that is what makes a vision inspire others. It is often said that when the big dreamers dream, the small dreamers wake up.
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Date published: 09/12/2023
SIPHIWE CHRISTOPHER MATHEBULA – Lead Pastor: Hope Restoration Ministries. Visit hrm.org.za
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