The newly elected DA Federal Leader, Geordin Hill-Lewis, delivers his acceptance speech with a powerful pledge: Getting South Africa Working.
We are building a stronger DA for a stronger South Africa. A new chapter starts now.The Institute of Race Relations CEO John Endres cuts through the optimism at BNC#8, warning that South Africa’s “recovery” is more illusion than reality.
Growth remains weak, investment is collapsing, and real reform is still missing.
Yet beneath the surface, something deeper may be shifting.
Voters are prioritising jobs over ideology, and political power is beginning to realign.
If that continues, Endres argues, South Africa’s real turning point may still lie ahead.
Watch the video and make up your own mind - Chris Wilkinson.
We often wish that others would change.
We want better behaviour from our leaders. More honesty from organisations. More kindness from people around us.
We hope that someone, somewhere, will set a higher standard.
But there is a simple and powerful idea we sometimes overlook:
Be the example you want others to follow.
Change does not always begin with big speeches or grand plans.
Very often, it begins with one person choosing to act differently.
It sounds simple, but it is not always easy.
The truth is, people notice actions far more than words.
We can talk about values all day, but it is what we do that leaves an impression.
A person who lives their values, even in small, everyday ways, influences those around them.
Over time, that influence grows.
Setting an example is one of the strongest forms of leadership.
In families, workplaces, and communities,
You do not need a title or a position to lead. You lead by how you live.
It shows what is possible. It makes it harder for others to justify doing less.
Of course, we are not perfect. No one is.
Being an example does not mean never making mistakes.
It means trying, learning, and doing better. Again and again.
A better society is not created only by rules and regulations.
It is created by people who choose, every day, to live in a way that lifts the standard for everyone.
So instead of waiting for others to change, ask ourselves a simple question:
“Am I setting the example I would like to see?”
Because in the end, the most powerful way to influence the world around us is not by telling others what to do.
It is by showing them.
Regards,
Chris Wilkinson.
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It is often said, usually in frustration, that our leaders are not good enough.
We criticise their decisions. Question their motives. And wonder why things are not better.
But there is a difficult truth we do not always like to face:
We get the leaders we deserve.
In a democracy, leaders do not appear out of nowhere.
They are chosen, supported, and tolerated by the people.
They reflect, in many ways, the values, priorities, and behaviour of the people who elect them.
Leadership does not exist in isolation. It is a mirror.
It reflects who we are as citizens.
If we do not take the time to understand the issues, then the results shouldn't surprise us.
Voting is not just a right. It is a responsibility.
But it goes beyond voting.
When citizens raise their standards, leadership tends to improve.
When people demand honesty, integrity, and accountability, better leaders can emerge.
On the other hand, when people lose interest, the quality of leadership declines.
It is not always comfortable to admit this.
It is easier to believe that the problem lies entirely with “them.”
But real change begins when we recognise our own role in the system.
A strong democracy is not built only by strong leaders.
It is built by strong citizens.
So before we ask, “Why do we have these leaders?” it may be worth asking a more challenging question:
“What kind of citizens are we?”
Because in the end, leadership rises from the people.
And we will always, in one way or another, get the leaders we deserve.
With very best wishes,
Chris Wilkinson.
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The freedom to speak, to choose, to vote, to live our lives as we wish.
It is one of the most precious things any society can have.
But there is an important truth that is sometimes forgotten.
Freedom and Responsibility always go together.
Freedom without responsibility becomes chaos.
If everyone ignores their responsibilities, then the freedom they enjoy weakens.
A healthy society depends on balance.
Yes, we should defend our freedoms.
We should value them and protect them.
But at the same time, we must accept the responsibilities that come with them.
When people accept these responsibilities, freedom grows stronger.
When people ignore them, freedom becomes fragile.
We sometimes hear people speak about what they are entitled to.
There is nothing wrong with that. Rights are important.
But rights alone are not enough to build a healthy society.
Responsibilities matter as much.
A country where citizens are responsible for their actions and their communities grows and improves.
But a country where people expect freedom without responsibility will always struggle.
Freedom is not simply a gift that we receive and enjoy without effort.
It is something that must be supported by the behaviour and attitude of every citizen.
Freedom works best when responsibility walks beside it.
With very best wishes,
Chris Wilkinson.
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It is very easy to complain. In fact, complaining has become almost a habit in modern life.
We complain about the government. About our towns and cities. About services. About organisations. And about the people around us.
Sometimes those complaints are justified.
Things do go wrong. Standards do drop. Promises are not always kept.
But there is a simple question we should ask ourselves before we complain:
Have we done the work?
It is easy to stand on the sidelines and criticise.
It is much harder to get involved, to contribute, and to help make things better.
Real change seldom comes from those who only complain.
It usually comes from people who roll up their sleeves and get to work.
If we want better communities, we need people who are willing to participate in them.
If we want better organisations, we need people who are prepared to contribute to them.
If we want better leadership, we must also be better citizens.
Complaining alone achieves very little.
Work, however, produces results.
When people volunteer their time, progress begins.
It may be slow at first, but it is real.
There is also something else that happens when we do the work first.
Our complaints carry more weight.
When someone who has contributed or helped speaks up about a problem, people tend to listen.
They know that person is not simply complaining from the sidelines.
They are speaking from experience. They have earned the right to be heard.
But when someone complains loudly, their words often carry very little influence.
A healthy society depends on participation.
It depends on people who are willing to take responsibility and play their part.
So before we complain about what others are not doing, ask ourselves one simple question:
Have we done the work first?
Because in the end, progress is not built by those who complain the most.
It is built by those who are willing to do the work.
With very best wishes,
Chris Wilkinson.
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Helen Zille says Johannesburg’s crisis is far worse than she imagined, warning the city faces financial collapse, crumbling infrastructure, ...
