Wilko's Messages of Hope

One reason many people stay silent is that they believe they are “not qualified” to speak. We tell ourselves that our opinions don’t matter. Unless we have degrees, titles, or years of formal experience, So we hold back, even when we’ve learned something the hard way. But life doesn’t work like that.  Some of the most valuable advice does not come from "experts". It comes from ordinary people. Those who have lived, struggled, failed, tried again, and learned a few lessons along the way. Experience, not expertise, is often what makes advice useful. You don’t need to be a mechanic to warn someone that ignoring strange noises in their car is a bad idea. You don’t need to be a financial adviser to say that living beyond your means causes stress. And you don’t need to be a psychologist to say that kindness, patience, and listening can make a difference. What matters is honesty. Good advice is not about pretending to know everything. It’s about saying, “This is what I’ve learned,” ...

2026 has barely started and SA politics is already exploding. In this episode of the State of the Nation Podcast, Freedom Front Plus leader Dr Corné Mulder explains the viral “Pieter Groenewald for President” campaign (and why it’s not official). Also, the party’s surprising Centurion by-election surge. And what this means for the 2026 local government elections and the future of the GNU.

The Leader of the DA and Minister of Agriculture, John Steenhuisen joined Gabriel Makin to discuss his tenure as leader of the party, the GNU, the disagreements with the ANC, his potential reelection campaign and much more.

  Retirement - after working most of our adult lives, we now face the daunting prospect. No more managers to tell us what to do. No more clocking in or out. Our time is, at long last, our own. What are we going to do with it? Even though we may have saved enough for our later years, there's always something that crops up to rock the boat. Keeping busy is the most important. If not for the money, for our own health and peace of mind. Here are just a few tips, gathered from many sources, to help in your plans: Live within your means. Try to stick to a budget. Only buy what you need, when you need it. IF you need it at all. Buying just because it's on "special" is a waste of money. Buying anything in bulk eats cash flow. You may need that cash for something else very soon. An emergency. Don't buy what you cannot afford to. Never use credit to buy instant gratification stuff. In fact, never buy anything on credit. It will always bounce back to hurt you. More so in yo...

In this candid and hard-hitting interview, Alec Hogg speaks to Gerhard Papenfus, CEO of the National Employers’ Association of South Africa. About his open letter condemning Black Economic Empowerment. Papenfus argues that BEE has distorted markets, damaged entrepreneurship, and entrenched elitism rather than broad-based upliftment. He challenges prevailing political narratives, questions the sustainability of empowerment through ownership transfers. And calls for merit-based economic reform to restore growth, accountability, and genuine inclusion.

South Africa is tired of noise. So we went straight to the engine room. A blunt, no-soft-questions conversation with COSATU’s Matthew Parks. In this episode of the Truth Report, Rob Hersov sits down with COSATU parliamentary coordinator Matthew Parks for a fearless, wide-ranging interview on the real mechanics behind jobs, policy, corruption. And why SA’s economic recovery keeps stalling. We dig into the mining “cadastral” bottleneck, the truth about BEE beyond the headlines, minimum wage vs living wage, and why politicians keep rewarding failure. This is political commentary without the theatre: facts, pressure, and uncomfortable honesty.

Behind the political theatre, the US economy is surging. Anthony Ginsberg warns that South Africa’s foreign and trade policy lag reality.

The ANC is weaker than it’s been in decades — and yet the DA is still finding ways to trip over its own feet. In a world moving toward transactional power politics (and a possible Trump-driven reset), South Africa’s opposition can’t afford amateur hour. This episode is a blunt look at the DA’s strategic problem: discipline, message clarity, coalition math's, and credibility — and why 2026/2029 are on the line. In this episode we cover: -Why the DA has the best opening in years — and how it risks wasting it -The DA’s biggest failure mode: internal fights, mixed messaging, and self-inflicted scandals -Why the opposition must look like a government-in-waiting, not a protest movement -The coalition reality: what it takes to win metros in 2026 and build momentum for 2029 -How global shifts (Trump-era transactional politics) punish weak states — and why SA needs a credible alternative -Why “moral positioning” doesn’t win elections — service delivery + growth + safety does -The voter pr...

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.

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...