Wilko's Messages of Hope

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...

 Over the years, I’ve learned that what we do matters more than what we say.  Sending a short weekly message to those who want to hear my thoughts has become a small but meaningful habit in my life.  It’s not always easy to stay consistent. Life gets busy, and technology can be intimidating. A while ago, I came across Systeme.io , and it quietly made my work much easier.  I use it simply to make sure my messages reach people on time, without worrying about the technical side.  It’s reliable, straightforward, and fits into my routine without fuss. The real value isn’t in the tool itself. It’s in what it allows me to do.  With this little bit of support, I can focus on writing and sharing, knowing that my weekly note will go out to those who want to receive it.  Small habits like this, when done consistently, quietly shape how we connect with others. I hope this encourages you to find simple ways to keep your own messages alive.  Whatever form the...

 We all want to live in communities that are safe, clean, and full of opportunity. We want towns and cities where our children can grow. Where businesses flourish, and people feel proud to call home. But these things don’t happen by accident. A thriving community is built by the people who live in it. And if we want our communities to grow and improve, we cannot stand by and watch others do the work. We have to get involved . Why It Matters Every decision that shapes our daily lives is made by someone. From street lighting and policing. To parks, roads, waste collection, local bylaws, and development plans. If we ignore the process, decisions will be made without our input. When we choose to take part, even in small ways, we help steer our towns and cities toward a better future. Strong communities don’t rely on a handful of leaders or a few activists. They rely on ordinary people who are willing to take small actions that make a big impact. The Power of Participation Getting invol...

Johannesburg is on the edge of a comeback - and people are paying attention. In this final episode of season 3 of The Corner Office, we sit down with Helen Zille to unpack what could be the most exciting economic turnaround story in South Africa. Johannesburg breaks, it rebuilds, it breaks again, and then somehow - with the stubbornness only Joburgers truly understand - it finds a way to move forward. Investors who know the city deeply don’t bet on its perfection; they bet on its potential. And if there is one theme that emerged from our final episode of The Corner Office with Helen Zille’s, it’s that Johannesburg’s potential is nowhere near exhausted. South African businesses are sitting on roughly R2 trillion in dormant capital. For all the complexity around city governance, infrastructure, and budgets, the real expectations of Joburgers are remarkably consistent across communities, income levels and business sectors. They want: Water they can trust. Electricity they can rely ...

Most people think success will fix their problems. Charlie Law proves the opposite. After a decade flying around the world doing high-pressure commodity deals, chasing money, status, admiration and ego, he hit a complete physical and psychological crash. Forced into a six-month burnout recovery, he realised the secret no one tells achievers is that you can be winning on paper and losing your life at the same time. Today, Charlie coaches CEOs, entrepreneurs and high-level performers who look successful but are stuck, unhappy or on the edge of breakdown. He distills the deep psychological, emotional and environmental factors behind real change. Not the “mumbo jumbo” clichés, but principles that actually work in the boardroom and at home. This episode exposes: Why achievement leads to emptiness for driven people How ego and identity trap high performers The lie behind “chasing the next goal” Why burnout hits successful people the hardest How to be successful and genuinely happy If yo...

Jay Naidoo reflects on COSATU’s 40-year legacy, South Africa’s democratic journey, and the sacrifices that shaped the nation. He speaks candidly about corruption, failed leadership, collapsing services, inequality, and the urgent need for values-driven renewal. Naidoo calls on citizens, business, and unions to reclaim integrity, rebuild trust, and drive meaningful change.

Viewing life as a "lifelong DIY project" emphasizes personal growth, creativity, and self-discovery.  It suggests that we are the architects of our journey.  Every step we take is part of building something unique and meaningful.  Rather than comparing ourselves to others, we are making choices . Focusing on continuous learning and improvement.  It's a reminder to enjoy the process and appreciate the small victories along the way!  In a world where comparisons often define success, it's worth pausing to rethink.   Instead of viewing life as a race or a contest, what if we embraced it as a “lifelong DIY project”?  A continuous journey of self-improvement, creativity, and discovery? After all, life is not a sprint. It’s an ongoing process of shaping who we are and how we live .  The Myth of Competition.  From a young age, many of us are taught that life is about winning.  We’re told that success is measured by grades, job titles, possessi...

  Life gives us more than enough reasons to worry. Bills pile up, work gets stressful, relationships hit bumps,. And the bad news never seems to switch off. But while worry is a natural reaction, it’s not a productive one. In fact, most of the things we worry about never happen. What does happen, though, is that worry steals our peace, and our ability to enjoy the present moment. “Don’t worry, be happy” is more than a catchy line from a song. It’s a reminder that happiness is a choice we can make, even when things aren’t perfect. Why Worry Never Helps Worry tricks us into believing we’re solving something. But in reality, it keeps our minds spinning without taking us anywhere. It drains us emotionally and physically, and it very seldom leads to action. What we think of as “being prepared” is often rehearsing problems we haven’t faced yet. Happiness gives us clarity. When we choose calm over panic, we can think better and handle challenges with a clearer head. Choosing Happiness Doe...

In this episode of Talking Sense, South Africa’s Deputy Finance Minister, Ashor Sarupen, sits down for a long-form interview with The Common Sense’s executive producer, Gabriel Makin. The discussion ranges from Sarupen’s political background to the country’s fiscal position, how government spending works, and the hard choices required to stabilise the national finances. They explore South Africa’s six trillion rand debt burden, the peaking of the debt to GDP ratio, the shift toward running sustained primary budget surpluses, and the decision to adopt a three percent inflation target. Sarupen also speaks about: Lowering the country’s risk premium, the political dynamics within the Government of National Unity, the future of economic reform in areas like energy, ports and freight rail, and the broader question of how liberal democratic values shape policymaking in a diverse society.

  It’s easy to spot what’s wrong with people. We notice their mistakes, their rough edges, and the ways they fall short of what we expect. But what if we changed our focus? What if, instead of searching for faults, we made a conscious effort to look for the good in others? The results could be surprising and uplifting. When we look for the good in others, we see people differently. Instead of viewing them through criticism, we begin to see their strengths. Their intentions, and their humanity. Everyone has something positive to offer. Kindness, resilience, creativity, honesty. Or the courage to keep going despite life’s challenges. This attitude doesn’t mean we ignore wrongdoing or pretend everyone is perfect. It means we choose to see the whole person, not only their flaws. By acknowledging what is good in others, we often encourage more of that goodness to grow. A kind word, a little trust, or a bit of appreciation can bring out the best in people. It also changes us. When we foc...