Team, Tribe, Fellow South Africans
Considering myself a non-political South African, it was my natural instinct to stand back when first learning of Zuma’s “Midnight Ministerial Massacre” super early on Friday morning. The news did not come as a surprise; there’d been speculations earlier in the week, most notably in articles about Ahmed Kathrada’s funeral.
The axing(s) made me think of business. The role of the CEO is to set and drive the company vision. They do this with a team who should challenge, question and at times, disagree. That’s what brings progress. The Board is there to ensure the CEO remains accountable to achieving the objectives set. If I consider Zuma as our CEO, and us, the nation, the board, it is our role, my role and my duty, to stand up passively or vociferously for what I believe is our vision.
Signing the “Petition to remove President Zuma” was easy enough to do. I did it without hesitation straight after my Piloxing class, I was sitting alone in my car. It felt safe. It aligned with my vision of building a thriving South Africa.
This past weekend however, as I watched emotions unfold across Facebook, embarrassingly, I found myself pondering the authenticity of #BlackMonday as a gesture of solidarity. As a business owner, with part of my team based in South Africa, I grappled with the idea to take Friday 7th April as a day off from work to protest together with our country, against what I know to be true. Frankly, I was cynical. For that I apologise. In retrospect I realise I was simply feeling insecure.
Do I have enough knowledge to stand up and fight against a government that I believe to be unlawful?
Will my support count?
Can I make a difference?
Truly, I don’t know. Honestly, it doesn’t matter because I do love this country and I want it to succeed. I do believe that our government is corrupt and this affects me and my family and my business.
Today I will wear black.
On Friday, I will take to the streets.
Please join me.
