Integrity 22.08.2018

Reading through news sites, twitter and other social media there is a common theme of corruption and fraud.  Lack of integrity seems to becoming a social norm.  I ask, with tears in my eyes, how can humans be so dishonest, unethical and lack basic social skills that they take, indiscriminately from other humans.  Often those who take, have more than they can use, yet they continue to take and marginalize those who do not have and dis-empower the poor even more.

Our very own watch dog who collects funds for the government, South African Revenue Services (SARS) has done exactly what we as tax payers are not supposed to do.  How can they be telling us, the tax paying public to be honest, when they themselves are not honest?

“SARS GUILTY OF BREAKING ITS OWN LAWS

The Auditor General found that the SA Revenue Service in 2017 flouted the Income Tax Act by overstating its compliance figures in public documents. The findings, in an AG report dated March 2017, came to light yesterday during public hearings in Pretoria for the Nugent inquiry. Tax compliance refers to making payments to the revenue service in full and on time in line with relevant legislation.  SARS apparently stated that its compliance level was at 91.14%, which according to the Auditor General is not true. The commission of inquiry, appointed by president Cyril Ramaphosa, is probing the state of corporate governance, revenue shortfalls and allegations of misconduct at SARS. (Fin24)”

This is nothing short of disgusting.  Heads need to roll and with immediate effect.  It’s time government servants were made to pay and pay dearly for their greed and lack of integrity.  Lead by example!

Having a ‘moment’

I read this paragraph and it just made my blood pressure rise.

WOMEN WOEFULLY SHORT ON BOARD REPRESENTATION
Female representation at senior management and executive levels in South Africa is still, on average, only 20%. This is according to the REMchannel report by PwC that also showed that 61% of the women are remunerated below the median of the sample, compared to just 39% of men. By contrast, 63% of men are remunerated above the median, compared to just 37% of the women in the sample. The survey looked at remuneration data for more than 550 participating organisations and just over 4 000 senior managers and executives. Globally, there is renewed focus on the pay disparities between men and women, the report says. It argues that corporate South Africa still needs to focus on ensuring that the number of women at senior management and executive level is increased, in addition to addressing gender pay inequalities.  (Fin24)

The reason for my ‘moment’!  Why are we not appointing people to positions for which they are qualified and skilled?  Why does it have to be about #gender and even #race for that matter.  We must stop being stereotypical and allow people to be appointed for what they can do for an employer/company to improve productivity and service delivery.  The job description carries criteria and key performance areas.  So whomever you have in the position should be paid for their performance not on what body parts they were born with!!

In South Africa we have a Department of Women.  Why?  What is this department doing for our entrepreneurial women?  In fact what is this department doing for our women in general?  Absolutely nothing.  Minister Bathabile Dlamini its time you did what you are being paid an astronomical amount for!

Leadership is an action, not a position.  Donald McGannon

 

Every woman needs a champion 20.08.2018

Ted Talk “Every kid needs a champion” was shared on social media.  I don’t usually open up video’s as I find them tiresome and tedious and often vocally laborious.  But something made me listen to Rita Pierson.  She was down to earth, real and right.  Every child needs a champion.  Every child needs someone to believe in them.  So does every woman.  This made me reflect on why #WomenInBusiness was formed.  We are not a glorified business organisation that caters to sponsors and successful women.  We have survived for 13 years (founded July 2005) without major sponsorship, without huge amounts of money, without glamour and glitz.  We have survived through sheer dedication and voluntary support by our members to one another.  We have stood alone and not been dictated to by sponsors or donars because we feel that we represent and support our small enterprise entrepreneurs. Why have we survived?  Because we have been champions for one another.  We can reach out at any time on numerous platforms and find someone to talk to even if its only virtually.

The networks that have been established over the last 13 years are extensive.  We do not necessarily have to have functions and events to prove our existence.  We exist to support our members – via social media and face to face.  We don’t charge anyone to join our social media platforms.  Interaction and sharing of ideas and information is encouraged.  No one is on an ego building power hunting journey.  We just do what we do because we are champions for one another.  Just like Rita Pierson says in her Ted talk, every kid needs a champion, so does every woman need a champion.

 

SPAR Ladies Race 19.08.2018

Today was bold, beautiful and sunny.  The complete opposite to the weather yesterday.  It’s almost as if I changed countries given the extreme difference in weather conditions in the past 24 hours.

10 kms #SPAR ladies.  The hype, excitement and energy was truly encouraging.  I was very pleased that there were no water sachets.  Participants were given a bottle of branded water at the start and were specifically asked to dispose of the bottles in a rubbish bin.  Sadly a number of participants threw their bottles down when they had dispensed with them, some even throwing down bottles that were unopened or partly drunk. What is it with the human race that we just ‘throw’ stuff away without thinking?

Dargle Trails Festival 18.08.2018

I woke up in the early hours of this morning to the sounds of soft soaking rains on the roof.  The sound of rain on a corrugated iron roof is calming and therapeutic. I turned over and drifted off into a sound, content and peaceful sleep to be rudely awoken by my alarm.  It was time to get up and get going to the Dargle Trails Festival.  I switched off my alarm, listened to the rain and decided it would be too wet and dangerous to walk today.  So I turned over and decided I would go back to sleep!
A nagging thought crept into my consciousnesses. 

Take a chance

The Mama Mia movies (both of them) have been inspirational in encouraging women to take a chance on what they feel passionate about. Get into swing of the lyrics.

Both Mama Mia movies highlight the challenges that women face in making decisions about themselves and being in control of their own destinies. The strength and tenacity of women is underestimated and when you watch a movie like the Mama Mia series you realise how much strength we actually have.  Taking a chance on your own life, as a woman, an entrepreneur, a mom, a wife/girlfriend/partner is so very important. If you don’t take that chance, that opportunity how will you ever know what your life could have become.  So do away with the could have, should have, didn’t syndrome and take a chance on yourself.

I had the privilege of address the Pietermaritzburg Community Chest Women’s breakfast function on Wednesday 7th August.  The skills, knowledge, enthusiasm and love that was clearly evident in the room gave us all goosebumps and encouragement.  This video footage is a portion of my address to the delegates.

 

Women’s League failing the women of South Africa

This is the first time that I find myself agreeing with Winnie Madikizela Mandela.  The Women’s League is a political mouth piece and pawn in the hands of the government.  Budgets are allocated.  Parties and functions held. The box is ticked.  The relevant self designated VIP’s stay in fancy hotels with extravagant food whilst 45% of our population cannot afford bread and water.

If we are going to have a Women’s Portfolio in government let it be a real platform for the marginalised women of South Africa.  These bread winners and social reform entrepreneurs who are keeping small and micro economies alive need representation and support not mouth pieces.

Winnie Madikizela Mandela says Women’s League didn’t work hard enough to convince ANC members to vote in women leadership #SABCNews pic.twitter.com/TJZcP4miT2

— Noma Bolani (@missbolani) January 15, 2018

Making Mistakes

This is so true.  If we are always too scared to make mistakes then what is the purpose of being an entrepreneur.  As entrepreneurs we are constantly looking at viable risks.  If we are looking for something that is definable with clear outcomes, then we are not seeing the true picture as an entrepreneur.  Make those mistakes, but learn from them.  Venture out and try something new because if you don’t you will be constantly reminded that you ‘could have’.  The ‘could have’ ‘would have’ ‘should have’ syndrome must not be part of an entrepreneurs vocabulary.

Getting what you want from life.

I found this image on Pinterest and it struck a cord with me.  Being a social entrepreneur I am of the firm belief that what you put out is what you get back.  You cannot take from the community within which your business/enterprise exists.  Even if you are a multinational corporation there still needs to be a human element.  Nothing beats a smile, a well done, a kind word, a listening ear.  You may not necessarily be able to change a persons/business situation, but you can listen.  Perhaps you know of someone/business that may be able to assist or further the dreams/visions of someone else.

I have also learnt that to motivate and encourage takes small actions/words to make a situation seem better than it already is or to assist in making a situation seem better.  Nominate fellow persons/associates for competitions.  They may not win, but the encouragement and the fact that someone believed in them goes a long way.  You never know they may just win 🙂

For those who can’t…….walk

What makes me drive for 105 kms and another 105 back home to walk 13 kms????

Because I can walk and there are others who cannot for reasons out of their control. For those who are limited in their physical activities I walk for you and I walk for me.  This is a virtual trip of the 13 kms I covered.  Let’s get to all the reasons why I walk and then we can walk…..
I am addicted to #LadyMavis adventures.  My favourite vehicle of all times is my dear Land Rover Discovery TDi 5 who is named after my dearest grandmother Mavis.  #LadyMavis takes me to destinations I would not ordinarily be able to get to with a normal vehicle.  She makes me feel safe and secure and I know whatever the condition of the road I will get there safely.

Raising funds and awareness for Rhinos.  In South Africa we have a scourge of despicable people who kill our beautiful animals for what…..because they believe that the horn will make them powerful sexually and otherwise.  I ask you how ridiculous is this thought.  May the karma that they generate by killing these beautiful animals be doubled back to them!  In the meantime while Karma is getting round to her duty we will be continuing to raise funds to eliminate these oxygen thieves.

And to be out in the fresh air doing what I love…..walking in the bush.   Walking in the outdoors and off the tar is a ‘drug’ for me.  It’s time out, it’s undisturbed, allowing me to refresh my brain, think, dream, plan and just be me.  We are so privileged to live within an our or a few hours from so many beautiful places.  One of these being Inanda Dam. 
Well done to the organisers of the Rhino Run. Had a blast and thoughly enjoyed every moment of the walk and the drive to and from Inanda Dam.

I have recently discovered trail walking.  I have watched the trail running events and often thought….’how I would love to visit that venue’ or ‘how I would love to do that event’ but I don’t run.  Then I found out that as a walker, albeit a slow walker, I can still participate.  So now I participate for me and for those who can’t.  I will blog on each of my walks, so that those who are unable to walk and enjoy the scenery as I can, are able to get a view of these beautiful places and enjoy the ‘walk’ virtually.
The walk started off along the shores of Inanda dam.  The water level is very low and has obviously been so for awhile looking at the growth of vegetation along the shore line. We followed a track through the bush navigating around the shores of the dam.  The track took us onto a road and past families and homes where we were greeted with great enthusiasm and friendliness.  Following this road the walk meandered up a slight incline, back onto the main road and around back to the waters edge to finish up where we started.  Those who had already finished were very encouraging of those of us who are much slower than the runners.  The sweep gentleman who followed at the back to ensure everyone was safe and all markers were collected was very kind and encouraging.  Thank you everyone for a wonderful morning spent with nature.

Driving out of the valley I came across some artistry and metal animals one of which was a rhino.  Very well made.  Congratulations go to the artists.