Wilko's Messages of Hope

When local government fails, daily life becomes harder. Roads crumble. Water runs dry. Refuse piles up. Streetlights stay broken. These are not national problems debated in Parliament far away. They are local problems, decided by councils elected where we live. That is why local elections matter. And that is why every South African citizen must vote in them. Local Government Affects Your Everyday Life Local councils control the services we depend on every day: Water and sanitation Electricity distribution Roads and transport Refuse removal Town planning and housing Community safety and by-laws If your municipality is failing, it shows up in your home, your street, and your neighbourhood. Voting is the most direct way citizens can influence the decisions made by those in power. Not Voting Is Also a Choice — With Consequences Many people say, “Voting doesn’t change anything.” But not voting guarantees one thing: you hand your power to others . Low voter turnout benefits organised politi...

In this hard-hitting breakdown, we expose why South Africa is already halfway to becoming the next Venezuela. This crisis is not accidental, not misunderstood, and not temporary. It is ideological, deliberate, and man-made. From collapsing state-owned enterprises and capital flight to failed socialist policies and political cowardice, this video lays out the uncomfortable truth government refuses to admit. And the reforms required to reverse course before it’s too late. This is South Africa’s last exit. Ignore it, and history will not be kind.

Iran is burning, and the world is hesitating. Economist Iraj Abedian delivers a raw, emotional account of a nation held hostage by its own regime. Why South Africa’s silence is so troubling. And why Donald Trump may now be the only wild card left, as thousands are killed behind an information blackout.

In this week’s Truth Report Live, Joe Emilio is joined by Gareth Cliff, THEE Sama Sambit, and André Faro. A fast-moving, no-fluff conversation that jumps from the ANC’s January 8 birthday rally optics to the BEE debate blowing up again after a minister’s “white supremacy” remark. We unpack what the empty seats could signal, why so many South Africans feel politically exhausted, how labels get used to shut down debate, and why “someone must save us” is a trap that keeps the country stuck. On the panel • Joe Emilio • Gareth Cliff • THEE Sama Sambit • André Faro Topics covered • ANC January 8 rally turnout, optics, and what it might mean • The “debate BEE = white supremacy” remark, and the backlash • Why identity politics and slogans keep replacing results • “Stop waiting for a saviour”, what accountability actually looks like • Viewer comments, live reactions, and real talk about the state of South Africa.

We live in an age of promises. Every day, we are told what will be done. What is planned. What is coming soon, and what someone intends to do for us. Politicians announce grand visions. Organisations release glossy strategies. Individuals speak about future achievements. Yet too often, very little actually changes. There is a simple principle that cuts through all the noise: First, do the work. Then tell us what you have done. Promises Are Easy. Action Is Not. Talking about action costs nothing. Doing the work requires effort, discipline, and perseverance. It means facing obstacles instead of explaining them away. It means continuing when no one is watching and no applause is guaranteed. Real work is often slow. It seldom looks impressive while it is happening. That is why it is so tempting to talk about it instead. But intentions, no matter how sincere, do not improve lives. Results do. Credibility Is Earned. Trust is not built on plans. It is built on outcomes. When someone tells ...

 Last week, I shared my belief that South Africa is entering a third chapter. A time not defined by struggle alone, but by growth and possibility. This week, I want to take that thought one step further. Survival teaches us resilience. But stewardship teaches us responsibility. For much of our history, South Africans have focused on getting through the day, the year, the decade. That instinct was necessary. It kept us standing. But as a nation matures, a quiet shift begins to happen. We start asking different questions. Not “How do we survive?” But “How do we care for what we have?” The emerging generation is less interested in slogans and more interested in solutions. Less focused on blame, more focused on building. They are learning — sometimes the hard way — that a country is not saved by speeches, but by everyday choices. Honesty over shortcuts. Cooperation over conflict. Service over self-interest. This is where Hope becomes practical. Stewardship is found in how we treat our...

I have lived long enough to witness two very different South Africas. I have survived 30 years of Apartheid and another 30 years of what we have called “democracy.” These two eras shaped our nation in powerful ways. Some painful, some hopeful, all of them significant. But as I look toward the next 30 years, I believe we are standing at the threshold of something  new. The blossoming of the Real South Africa. This emerging era is not simply a continuation of what came before. It is the beginning of a third generation. One shaped not by the wounds of the past nor the disappointments of the present. But by a growing desire for renewal, unity, accountability, and shared prosperity. It is a generation that thinks differently. Questions more boldly. Dreams more freely. What inspires me most is the spirit of ordinary South Africans. Across ages, backgrounds, and communities, people are doing the real work of rebuilding. Fixing, teaching, creating, mentoring, innovating, and refusing to le...

South Africa didn’t fail by accident — it followed a path shaped by policy choices, incentives, and ideology. In this episode of State of the Nation, John Endres breaks down why South Africa fell behind while other countries surged ahead — and why the debate is not about race or slogans, but growth, incentives, and outcomes. We unpack: • The policy choices that shaped South Africa’s economy • Why growth stalled while peers moved forward • The difference between good intentions and real results • Why employment, investment, and opportunity declined • What South Africa could still do differently • Why ideas matter more than personalities This is not party politics. It’s a sober analysis of what went wrong — and what could still change.

Cape Town is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but seeing everything can quickly become expensive and time-consuming. Entrance fees add up, queues waste precious holiday time, and planning each activity separately can be overwhelming. That’s where the Cape Town City Pass comes in. It’s a simple, cost-effective way to experience many of Cape Town’s top attractions with one digital pass , making sightseeing easier, cheaper, and far more enjoyable. What Is the Cape Town City Pass? The Cape Town City Pass is a prepaid sightseeing pass that gives you access to 80+ top attractions, tours, and experiences around Cape Town Instead of buying individual tickets at each attraction, you use one pass that covers museums, cruises, wine farms, outdoor activities, cultural experiences, and more. You simply show your pass at the entrance and walk in. What’s Included? Depending on the option you choose, the Cape Town City Pass includes: Entry to 80+ popular Cape Town attractions A Hop-O...

When we travel, it’s not just about where we go — it’s about what we experience . A city, a town, or a country truly comes alive when we walk its streets, listen to its stories, taste its food, and meet the people who live there.  That’s why booking the right tours and experiences can make all the difference to a trip. One platform I’ve found especially useful for this is Viator . What Is Viator? Viator is a global travel experiences marketplace owned by Tripadvisor .  It allows travellers to browse, compare, and book tours and activities in thousands of destinations worldwide. From guided walking tours and day trips to cultural experiences, wildlife safaris, cruises, and food tours. Viator focuses on the experiences that turn a holiday into a memory. What Can You Book with Viator? Viator offers hundreds of thousands of experiences across the globe, including: Guided city tours and walking tours Day trips and excursions Wildlife and nature experiences Cu...