Chris Wilkinson - Messenger of Hope

  Our world is shaped by instant gratification and fleeting accountability. The age-old principle of personal responsibility remains more relevant than ever. We must be prepared to suffer the consequences of our actions. Every choice we make, no matter how minor it may seem, affects not only ourselves but those around us. This reality is inescapable. Whether it's a decision made in haste or one born from careful deliberation. Each action carries with it consequences, both seen and unforeseen. To ignore this is to live in denial of one of life’s fundamental truths. The Illusion of Escapism. Modern culture often offers subtle encouragement to evade responsibility. Social media can amplify blame-shifting. Certain political and corporate systems reward short-term wins over long-term integrity. The result? A growing tendency to disown our missteps and expect others to shoulder the fallout. But consequences, like gravity, are impartial. They arrive regardless of our willingness to face t...

The series is a collection of dialogues with high-value speakers hosted by broadcast and financial journalist Alishia Seckam. Each topic addresses burning issues that are concerning South Africans in these uncertain times. The Think Big series aims to empower you with factual evidence and manage expectations on various aspects of how the current situation could unfold. In this episode Dr Frans Cronje dives into misconceptions about SA, GNU stability, Budget 3.0, Trump/Ramaphosa and economic growth.

Good on both of you. Keep going, I will keep sharing your stuff. You both make me proud to be a South Afri-CAN. All strength to your voices.

South Africa needs a new generation of leaders - maybe a non-politician to run the country. That is the view of Professor William Gumede of the School of Governance at Wits University. “I think…that maybe we need less of the hard people…a lot of our leaders, our political leaders, many of our black political leaders particularly, these are hard individuals, ruthless individuals, self-interested individuals, people who…don't care about inciting violence and dividing the country, blaming other communities. They will walk over the bodies of black and white South Africans to be in power,” he says. In this wide-ranging interview with BizNews. Professor Gumede dissects the Trump-Ramaphosa meeting in Washington; the performance of the Government of National Unity (GNU), as well as the Democratic Alliance (DA), Patriotic Alliance (PA), and the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP) - and their future prospects. He also outlines the possible strategy of former President Jacob Zuma with his MKP. He del...

One of South Africa’s top economists, Efficient Group’s Dawie Roodt, tears into what he believes is the sheer economic idiocy expressed by South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in Parliament yesterday. He says the billionaire ANC leader’s redoubling of an approach which has boosted his own bank account but made South Africa the world’s worst-performing economy with the highest unemployment will accelerate the slide. Roodt spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg. With very best wishes, Learning is a Lifelong Do-It-Yourself Project.  We ALL Need to Educate Ourselves. By Reading, Watching, Listening, and Learning. Sharing what we Learn and  Being Messengers of Hope...  As a pensioner, I appreciate any help with the cost of living. Thank you. Chris Wilkinson - Messenger of Hope.  

Join Anthea Jeffery, IRR Head of Policy Research, for the launch of her latest IRR report: "Enemy of Growth: The Ideology Holding South Africa Hostage". Jeffery and Hermann Pretorius, IRR Head of Strategic Communications, discuss: * National Democratic Revolution (NDR) goals and how the Expropriation Act and race-based BEE advance them * How the ANC is using the Government of National Unity to “defend” the NDR * H ow far the NDR has proceeded in many different spheres * And some new NDR policies which are in the pipeline.

Fresh from celebrating his 45 million-viewed documentary on the Afrikaner’s struggles, Afriforum’s Ernst van Zyl shares his insights on last week’s Oval Office smackdown. He spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

🔥 Stay Connected with State Of The Nation! 🔥 Politicians Have Lost Touch with the People Social Media as the Modern Town Hall  The Argentine Example – Javier Milei’s Reforms  Trump vs Traditional Campaigning in the U.S.  South Africa’s Political Stagnation and Public Discontent  The Rise of a New Movement from Outside Politics  Final Message – Support Common Sense Leadership 

Dave Rubin of “The Rubin Report” talks to Rob Hersov about his privileged upbringing during apartheid in South Africa. How a childhood realisation about racial injustice opened his eyes, his family's role in the country's mining industry, South Africa's complex history of colonisation and ethnic groups. The origin and downfall of apartheid and the ANC’s rise to power in 1994. How post-apartheid South Africa initially thrived as a meritocracy. The nation's decline beginning in 2008 under Jacob Zuma. The contrast between global perceptions and internal realities. How the ANC's implementation of a Soviet-inspired playbook led to South Africa's decline.  Nelson Mandela and Mbeki held things together, but Jacob Zuma and Cyril Ramaphosa accelerated state capture and radical economic transformation. Cadre deployment replaced competent workers with loyalists, undermining basic services and infrastructure.  Black economic empowerment policies shifted from inclusive to be...

Freedom Front Plus leader Corné Mulder is breathing fire in this interview where he laments the “catastrophe” inflicted on South Africans in the Oval Office this week. Mulder says Trump asked the right questions to which the SA delegation has no answers because of wilful ignorance or outright denial. Attempts to deflect Trump’s criticism, he says, portrayed a picture of South Africa being a criminal-infested economic wasteland. Mulder spoke to BizNews editor Alec Hogg.

Hope can feel like a fragile flame in a world that often feels weighed down by uncertainty. But hope does not belong only to the fortunate or the fearless. It belongs to everyone. More importantly, it can be shared. Each one of us has the power to be a messenger of hope. To carry its light into dark places. And to remind others that better days are still ahead. The Power of a Single Act. Hope doesn’t require grand gestures. It starts with small, sincere actions. A kind word, a listening ear, a helping hand. When someone is struggling, having someone believe in them can make a difference. These simple acts may seem trivial. But they can restore someone's faith in themselves. A smile offered to a stranger. A supportive message sent to a friend. Or a moment of patience in a tense situation. These are all ways we whisper hope into someone’s life. And often, those whispers echo further than we realize. Speaking Life in a World Full of Noise. We live in an age of endless communication, y...

In this conversation, all the big issues of the day are discussed. The GNU’s survival, the decline of the ANC, Trump’s approach to SA, the expropriation act, employment equity, NHI, electricity, Israel and SA’s foreign policy, and much more. Dr Cronje’s ground-breaking data and insights shift the way to think about South Africa. They offer a rational framework for understanding and responding proactively to the trends shaping the country’s future. If you are someone who cares about South Africa’s direction, this conversation matters .

The modern world is overflowing with noise, confusion, and challenge. But there's a simple, powerful truth: We All Need to Educate Ourselves . Now more than ever. This isn’t a luxury. It is a responsibility. We each hold the power to expand our minds. To awaken our perspectives. And deepen our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.  But how do we do this? We Read:  We pick up books, articles, essays. Whether digital or physical. And we feed our minds with ideas, stories, facts, and philosophies to help us grow. Reading stretches our imagination. It sharpens our critical thinking. And it connects us with voices from the past and present. It gives us context, nuance, and depth.  We Watch:  Documentaries, educational videos, talks, and interviews. There is an ocean of knowledge waiting to be absorbed. Visual learning engages our senses and can bring complex topics to life in a way that sticks. When we watch with purpose, we see more than entertainment. We s...

  A Guide to Living with Less and Loving It More With life always pushing us to do more, buy more, and be more, it's easy to feel swamped. But the key to happiness isn't to add more, but to do with less. Simplifying our lives doesn't mean sacrificing happiness. It means redefining it. When we remove the unneeded, we make room for what matters. Declutter Your Space, Declutter Your Mind. Clutter isn’t just physical, it’s mental. The more we surround ourselves with things we don’t need, the more distracted and stressed we become. Start with a small area: your desk, a drawer, your closet. Ask yourself: Do I use this? Does this bring me happiness? If the answer is no, let it go. A cleaner space can create a clearer mind. Cut Down on Commitments. Modern life often feels like a calendar full of obligations. Social events, work meetings, and errands. It never ends. But simplifying your schedule doesn’t mean becoming a recluse. It means learning to say no to things that...

Many of us view life as a continuous journey of learning and growth.  We encounter a range of experiences, some positive and some negative.  Challenges, and opportunities to provide valuable lessons and insights.  We learn new skills and gain knowledge. Or improve our emotional intelligence. By trying different things, we get a chance to learn and evolve.  Adding to our personal and intellectual development.  Life as a learning exercise underlines our experiences.  Be they positive or negative.  Whether we are learning about Marketing.  Or How to Sell more using Email .  Or how to find a different way to market our own businesses with new methods.  Or even learning where we can buy stuff for loved ones.  Everything is all about learning - even how to earn a living.   First we Learn, then we Earn!  By embracing this perspective, we approach life with curiosity.  An open mind, and a willingness to learn from every situa...

Making plans is easy. But turning them into meaningful actions? That’s where the challenge begins. Whether it’s starting a business, learning a new skill, or building healthier habits. The gap between planning and doing often feels like a canyon. The good news? With the right mindset and strategies, you can cross it. Here’s how to turn your plans into real-world progress. Get Specific: Vague plans lead to vague results. “I want to get fit” is a nice idea, but it’s not actionable. Instead, define your goal clearly: Vague: Get fit. Specific: Go to the gym three times a week for 45 minutes. Break your big vision into smaller, concrete steps. This makes the task more manageable and gives you a clearer starting point. Set a Timeline: A plan without a deadline is just a dream. Assign dates to your goals and tasks. Use tools like calendars, habit trackers, or project management apps to stay on course. Avoid perfectionism by focusing on progress over precision. Deadlines create momentum—even...

Back to Basics: Food, Water, and the Illusion of Necessity Our lives are brimming with distractions, desires, and digital overload. It’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters. We spend our days chasing goals, accumulating things, and striving for more. More success, more convenience, more recognition. But when you strip everything back to basics, what do we really need? Food and water. Nothing more. These two simple necessities sustain every human life on this planet. They are the foundation upon which all else is built. Yet we seldom stop to appreciate their importance. We've built complex lives filled with objects and obligations. Wrongly elevating wants to the level of needs. The truth is, everything beyond food and water is a luxury. Your new smartphone? A luxury. Your big, expensive car? A luxury. The soft bed, the streaming shows, the gourmet coffee, the gym membership, the new pair of shoes. All luxuries. That’s not to say luxuries are bad. They can enrich our lives, ins...

Just thinking about government and politics, it's so easy to feel powerless. Or Hopeless. When distant officials in high offices make the rules, they shape our lives. But ordinary people like us can influence how our country is governed. Here are a few tips that I hope will encourage more people to become involved in their local communities. Stay Informed and Educated Knowledge is power. Read, Watch, Listen and LEARN. Understanding how our government works is the first step to making a difference. What laws are being proposed, and how do different policies affect people? Read diverse news sources, attend community meetings, and don't hesitate to ask questions. When you're informed, you can make decisions. And have conversations with confidence.  Vote, and Encourage Others To Voting is one of the most direct ways we influence government. Local elections determine how schools are run, how policing is done, and how budgets are spent. Encourage friends and family to vote. Beco...

Senekal, a small town in South Africa’s Free State, became the centre of racial tensions in 2020 following the murder of farm manager Brendin Horner.  In response, local leaders formed the Senekal/Mtwabeng Community Forum to encourage dialogue and reconciliation.  Among those drawn to the town’s transformation was filmmaker Frans Cronje, brother of former cricketer Hansie Cronje.  Leaving Cape Town, Cronje joined efforts to help a team of volunteers to rejuvenate Senekal and he decided to establish a film in the Eastern Free State.  In an interview with BizNews, Cronje detailed how the teams started repairing the dilapidated infrastructure in Senekal including the local swimming pool and 5,000 potholes.  While the initiative has received widespread support, he said there were ongoing challenges in bridging political divides.  Cronje has big plans to establish Senekal as a filming destination.  His latest project, a gladiator film set in fifth-century R...

Let’s All be  Messengers of Hope .  Because the world doesn’t need more opinions. It needs more wisdom. More empathy. More light.  And it starts with each of us.  With very best wishes, Learning is a Lifelong Do-It-Yourself Project.  We ALL Need to Educate Ourselves. By Reading, Watching, Listening, and Learning. Sharing what we Learn and  Being Messengers of Hope...  As a pensioner, I appreciate any help with the cost of living. Thank you. Chris Wilkinson - Messenger of Hope.  

South African patriot Rob Hersov delivers a powerful open letter to President Donald Trump and Ambassador-designate Brent Bozell.  He exposes the ANC’s corruption, anti-American stance, and destructive governance.

At the seventh BizNews Conference (BNC#7) in Hermanus, political scientist Moeletsi Mbeki delivered a searing critique of South Africa’s century-long nationalist rule.  Blaming Afrikaner and African nationalism for the country’s economic and social woes.  He argued that policies like Black Economic Empowerment, rooted in entitlement and corruption, have deepened the nation’s "hole."  Mbeki urged the Democratic Alliance (DA), the second-largest party, to seize the moment, reject nationalism, and outline a bold plan to secure 51% of the vote and rescue South Africa from decline. In his post-keynote Q&A with BizNews founder Alec Hogg, Mbeki tackled questions on South Africa’s rejection of nationalism, the ANC’s decline, and the DA’s potential to lead.  He dismissed fears of ANC coalitions with EFF and MK as unrealistic, emphasized the need for a constituency-based electoral system, and criticized the bloated public service draining the economy.  Mbeki urged the...

Justice Malala give his impressions of where South Africa is headed. IF we do the right things.