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...

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...

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...

  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...