Ted Talk #173: What I learnt from Nelson Mandela

Watching TED Talks is a popular pastime at CN&CO. We visit TED.com regularly to clear our heads, have a laugh or get inspired. TED Talks open our minds, spark new ways of thinking and can lead to some very interesting conversations. Each week we pick a favourite and publish it on a Tuesday, because we like how “TED Talk Tuesday” sounds. It’s also a way that the CN&CO team plays their part in spreading ideas and helping to make the world a better place. This week’s talk is posted by Gianluca Tucci sharing a talk recommended by the inspirational and brilliant friend and client of CN&CO, Rhett Barker. Here’s why…

Rhett Barker, is a close friend of CN&CO. As the CEO of Barker Insurance, he is passionate about his business, family, team and delivering a unique personal touch to their unique clients. What’s more, he and his family truly love South Africa and the authentic experience of the African bushveld. He feels extremely blessed to be able to immerse himself in the unparalleled natural beauty that his country has to offer.

As it happens, Rhett is our broker. In addition to this, Barker is a valued client of CN&CO – we assist in driving their marketing and communication endeavours. Being someone Gianluca personally looks up to as an inspirational leader and family man, he asked Rhett to share a TED Talk that has profoundly impacted him.

South African Pride

7 years ago, Rhett watched a powerful TED Talk that resonated with him and, having recently watched it again, the very same thoughts and emotions were reignited. His recommended talk by Boyd Varty of Londolozi Private Game Reserve, is just as relevant today as it was almost a decade ago.

Boyd significantly presented his TED Talk on the same and devastating day as the Father of our Nation, Nelson Mandela’s passing. Boyd first met Mandela at his family safari lodge in the Eastern part of South Africa following his release from prison. He recollects serving Madiba breakfast in bed and watching him walk around their garden in his slippers while recuperating in the tranquility of the bush where people, animals and the ecosystem unite and exist in harmony.

Having travelled and camped throughout South Africa with his family from a young age, Rhett closely relates to Boyd’s deep connection with the bush and nature, which he believes brings out the best in us all. South Africans are privileged to have access to nature in some shape or form and Rhett asserts that we all make more time to connect with the outdoors to declutter our busy minds.

Boyd spoke of Ubuntu meaning “I am because of you”. In the fast-paced world of today, many of us need to be reminded to slow down and focus on making reconciliation, harmony and unity the cornerstones of our existence. This rings especially true now whilst confronted with the devastating effects of the Coronavirus pandemic as our entire planet has been forced to decelerate. 

We cannot overcome this crisis without opening our hearts by sharing, empathising, learning, adapting and collaborating with our families, friends, colleagues, communities and nature to ensure that we all triumph and begin to live a more balanced life going forward.

Enjoy the talk below and thanks for recommending it, Rhett!