Wilko's Messages of Hope

  Change doesn’t start in Parliament. It starts with us.  We make a difference by caring enough to know what’s going on. Not just repeating what we hear. An informed citizen is a powerful one. We make a difference when we speak up, vote with integrity, and hold leaders accountable. Silence is consent. And apathy is how bad leadership survives. And we make a difference by living the values we expect from those in power. Honesty. , Fairness. Responsibility. A better country begins with better citizens. Let’s each do our part. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Geordin Hill-Lewis was in conversation with Ann Bernstein , the executive director at the Centre for Development and Enterprise. They discuss his experience as the Mayor of Cape Town. https://www.chriswilko.com/2025/10/cde-conversations-with-geordin-hill.html South Africa’s trade future with the US hangs in the balance. Speaking to Alec Hogg from California, Anthony Ginsberg, founder of Ginsberg ...

Geordin Hill-Lewis is the Mayor of Cape Town, a position he has held since November 2021. He was a Member of Parliament in the National Assembly for ten years (2011 to 2021), where he served as Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry, and then Finance. He was the youngest MP when he was elected to Parliament and the youngest mayor when he was inaugurated. Geordin Hill-Lewis was in conversation with Ann Bernstein, the executive director at the C entre for Development and Enterprise .  They discuss  his experience as the Mayor of Cape Town. The City has drawn praise for its administration (even from political opponents) but continues to grapple with deep-seated poverty and inequality.

South Africa’s trade future with the US hangs in the balance. Speaking to Alec Hogg from California, Anthony Ginsberg, founder of Ginsberg Global, says Washington’s dealmakers are eager to cut tariffs and revive AGOA. But Pretoria’s lack of representation and lingering ideology are stalling progress. With 600 American companies already in SA and billions in investment waiting, Ginsberg warns that without a business-minded ambassador and pragmatic leadership, the window of opportunity could close fast.

With South Africa’s government consuming over 32% of GDP, unemployment at 33%, and growth stagnating below 1%, the state has become both a fiscal and moral burden. Overspending, excessive regulation, and an inflated Cabinet are draining resources and crippling the country’s economic potential. Join us for the launch of Free Market Foundation Senior Associate Dr Morné Malan’s latest policy paper: "Lean But Efficient: The Fiscal and Moral Imperative of Cutting South Africa’s Cabinet" . The paper makes the case for a smaller, more focused government that spends less, regulates less, and delivers more. Drawing on global evidence and the Fraser Institute’s Economic Freedom of the World report, it shows how leaner executives boost growth, accountability, and public trust while saving billions in taxpayer funds. This paper forms part of the Liberty First initiative, a campaign dedicated to advancing individual freedom, constitutional governance, and economic prosperity.

eThekwini is in crisis. Collapsing infrastructure, water outages, and years of ANC mismanagement have left residents frustrated and without hope. In this episode of the #DApodcast , meet Haniff Hoosen, the DA’s Mayoral Candidate for eThekwini, as he unpacks his vision to rescue the city, rebuild services, and restore dignity to every community.

  Under Promise. Over Deliver. Talk is easy. Promises are cheap. What really counts is follow-through. When you under promise and over deliver, you build trust. People know your word means something. Integrity becomes your signature. In business, it makes you dependable. In relationships, it makes you trustworthy. With yourself, it pushes you to grow. Over promising sets you up for failure. Under promising sets you up for respect. And over delivering? That’s where success lives. Integrity isn’t optional—it’s vital. Say less. Do more. Always. With very best wishes, Chris Wilkinson. I'm simply a messenger, writing and sharing with other South Afri-CANs.  I do this to educate, inform, encourage and motivate people.  I do not get paid for this. If you’d like to support my efforts, I appreciate it. If you can't, I understand. Times are tough. But it's getting better. Click Here  to make a donation through  Back a Buddy Thank you.

South Africa’s greatest threat isn’t crime, corruption, or even the collapsing municipalities — it’s debt. Our national debt has exploded to R5.8 trillion (78% of GDP), and it’s still rising. Every bailout, every wage hike, every commission hearing feeds the beast while the economy flatlines. Debt-servicing costs: R426 billion this year (up from R386 billion) Social spending: R422 billion, up from R267 billion in 2024 SOE bailouts: R230 billion, with Eskom and Transnet draining the treasury Public-sector wage bill: R750 billion and climbing Meanwhile, unemployment sits at 33% (real closer to 50%). Over 8 000 businesses have been liquidated, and our growth rate lags far behind peers. If South Africa had grown at 4% like similar economies, unemployment would be under 10%. While politicians hold BEE seminars and the GNU brawls over the budget, the country’s finances are being eaten alive. This is the monster that stalks South Africa — the monster of debt. We either fix it by unleashin...