Wilko's Messages of Hope

 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...

Over the years, I’ve tried a few online tools that promise the world and deliver very little. Many are complicated, expensive, or clearly designed for people with more technical abilities. That’s why I was pleased when I came across Systeme.io . I’m not a tech expert, and I don’t run a big online business. I want a simple way to put my ideas online, grow an audience, and communicate with people in a positive way. Systeme.io does exactly that. What Is Systeme.io? In plain English, it is an all-in-one online platform that helps you: Build simple websites and landing pages Collect email addresses and send newsletters Share digital content Automate basic online tasks without technical headaches Instead of juggling different tools, Systeme puts everything in one place . Why I Like It What I appreciate most about Systeme is its simplicity . It’s easy to understand, even for beginners It doesn’t require technical knowledge You can start for free and upgrade only if you need to It works qui...