In a good mood after Mandela Day

Mandela Day this year has left me in a very good mood. This special annual event, recognised by the United Nations and celebrated world wide, is, naturally, in honour of Madiba. However, more than just allowing us to focus on what this man did for South Africa and beyond our borders, it is an opportunity for all citizens to contribute.

In previous years I didn’t always take part. If I “had time”, I joined in something a friend or colleague would organise. But often I was “too busy” and said to myself that I do enough good and that one day would not make a difference. Well, this year – thanks to so many ups and downs in my life – I realised that one can never, ever do enough. To whom much is given much is expected, I often think … 

purple team at Look Forward home 2

Purple Group team members at Look Forward Children’s Home on Mandela Day

Joining Purple Group, I did some gardening at the Look Forward orphanage and learning centre in the South of Joburg. Thanks to a few Purplistas (Maryke, Bev and Kurt) and Beatrice, who runs the home, my “contribution” was actually small and easy. In addition, doing the digging and planting was made hugely fun with mates Brad, Tristan, Al, Carly and others joining in. In short, as I have so often experienced, taking the first step and giving of yourself leads to many rewards.

More than the special feeling of getting my hands dirty – deliciously so in the soil as we planted – the privilege of attending the 14th Nelson Mandela Annual Lecture – themed “Living Together”, delivered by Bill Gates – a day before Mandela Day, was immense.

Held at the Mamelodi Campus of the University of Pretoria, the lecture brought home may vignettes of why I love my crazy, paradoxically beautiful, challenging, special country and all her people. 

On the one hand I was listening to one of the most famous and richest men ever talking about how the youth are our future and how to empower them, and on the other Tracker was phoning to ask if I was ok as my vehicle was in an unsafe area … unsafe for my middle class car, apparently, but safe enough for thousands to live and learn … unsafe for middle-class sensibilities, but safe enough to sustain the memory of so many struggle heroes who died to afford me a life in a democratic, free and glorious South Africa.

On the one hand I was filing into a huge hall with local students and on the other a TV presenter was asking a music celebrity and his 6-foot-3, blonde girlfriend about Madiba’s legacy.

On the one hand this event was so elitist and limited (you needed an invite or to have won one of a few public tickets) and on the other hand it was inclusive and welcoming.

In short, many thoughts ran through my head as I made the cut-off for seating by a few seconds (told you Kate Turkington I would get there in time!).

I loved seeing so many people from various parts of my life – many of them intersecting with and amplifying each other. As I am fond of saying – 2+2 must = (at least) 22. And putting people and events together that don’t, supposedly, belong together, I have often found leads to magical results.

Danilo Acquisto, working for his SABC show on the “red carpet” – professional as ever despite the death of his grandmother a few hours prior. Danilo is an alumnus of Saint Stithians, son of one of our heads, client of CN&CO.

Alistair and Bev – head and deputy head of advancement at Saints and two people who do so much to promote #saintsexcellence. Our college is in its infancy with regards to community building, fundraising and sustainability; however, we have come a long way and the future is (very) bright owing to Al, Bev and their team.

The Flow Communications team – who work for the Nelson Mandela Foundation (the lecture is one of their flagship projects) and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. This team has come such a long way from when I first met them operating out of a house in Waverley and are now a mega-agency with a turnover of more than R50 million – no wonder Kate Turkington is so proud of her daughters, Tara and Tiffany, who own and run Flow 🙂

Jenny Crwys-Williams, gorgeous and erudite as always. I wIll never hear the word “lacuna” and not think of her (a story over a glass of wine one day ….)

Prof Cheryl de la Rey – vice-chancellor and principal of the University of Pretoria who, as the “mother”, welcomed us. Thirty percent of all engineering grads in SA are from UP. And one in 10 degrees awarded is from UP #justsaying

Futhi Mtoba, Saints mum and ex-chair of the governing committee. Retired as chairman of Deloitte but working hard in many spaces and places to ensure education is fixed and moves us forward. Futhi is also a trustee of the Nelson Mandela Foundation and a superb skier to boot – Club Med Val Thorens here we come!

And the list goes on of people I am grateful and proud to know – people who challenge and influence who I am. And so, this morning after meeting with that very clever and special friend Colleen Magner, managing partner of Reos and chairman of CN&CO, I reflected on a few aspects of Gates’s talk that stuck with me:

  • Pronouncing Soweto is not easy for an American 🙂
  • $9 billion already donated and $5 billion more in the next year or two – huge generosity, and brains, in truly changing our world for the better
  • Africa can achieve the future it aspires to and deserves
  • HIV can be beaten
  • This is a man at peace with himself and his role in the world. I was moved with deep respect

Check out a few more pearls of wisdom from Gates here: http://www.iol.co.za/news/special-features/bill-gates-mandela-lecture-message-2046396

I started this piece by saying what a good mood I am in. I conclude with this Madiba quote, which was repeated on stage at the lecture and one I love and try and live my life by. It provides excellent advice at a time when the world seems crazy and people are often driven into a laager mentality – a world where people often default to the small, the known, the same.

“We need to know with a fresh conviction that we all share a common humanity and that our diversity in the world is the strength for our future together.”

Have a wonderful year until next Mandela Day. See you in the garden!

Watch a recording of the annual lecture on YouTube. (Bill Gates’s talk starts at 39:00)

Carel is an investor in people and businesses, believing that 1+1 = (at least) 22. Working with a few basic concepts – best encapsulated in his believe that unless we are dead, anything is possible – Carel aims to build long-term sustainable value with like-minded individuals and companies, while having (a lot of!) fun.