What should we do in 2010?

13th January, 2010

I don't know the answer to that, but I have a few ideas...

2010 is going to be a big year for South Africa. We don't need to hype-up the World Cup - it'll be big enough without that, but have you thought about what you can do to make this year terrific? A lot of this might sound Oprah-esque, but I'm going to go for it anyway - and if it makes you billious I'll write something cynical next week for you. Give it a chance... I've written this list more for myself than for you, but let's try it:

1. Be nice to people, and not just for the World Cup or because you want to fleece them of thier money. We need a good reputation domestically and locally. It takes a few minutes to help someone else and not expect anything in return.

2. Obey the law. This sounds easy enough, but pay your taxes and try not to bribe any Metro Police. Better yet, don't get into a situation where you need to bribe anyone. Follow the rules. One of our biggest problems in South Africa is that we're an undisciplined society

3. Don't shoot anyone from Togo. They've had a tough year, and it's only January.

4. Resign from any and all Trade Unions. They're too powerful. They're even telling government what to do. Resist them. We need to get productivity and employment up and they're an impediment to this.

5. Work harder, for the same money - not just because we're in a recession and jobs are scarce, but also because we need to improve our productivity - we're lazy. China and India will be our masters unless we start manufacturing, inventing, producing and developing industry and commerce in South Africa.

6. Stop waging cultural war on our fellow South Africans - we must let people be. If some people like marrying their 5th wife, it doesn't affect you, so leave them be. If someone is an ageing rugby player who likes the company of sluts - let him have his fun. It really isn't anyone else's business but his.

6. Find a way to employ one of the Matrics from 2009. They're not the brightest batch we've ever had and they need a leg-up. Let them do piece-jobs for you.

7. Tidy up. The cities, roads, townships and suburbs are a mess. People litter and bugger up stuff instead of taking pride in their surroundings. Change that, just in your immediate environment - it's contagious.

8. Look after your family. Make amends with relatives you don't like. It makes you feel like a Nobel laureate, and makes everyone more relaxed. I heard about a guy whose parents are old and destitute and he doesn't care about them. I think that's revolting. Look after those who loooked after you while you were a stupid, drooling quadruped.

9. Cut-down on high-maintenance relationships: If it's hard work keeping a relationship going, maybe it isn't meant to be? Let go of the toxic relationships and dead wood. You'll feel like you've relieved yourself of a terrible burden.

10. Stop worrying about the economy, race-relations, corruption and crime. Worrying about these things does nothing to make them better, it only serves to make you feel worse. Do what you can, when you can and give up on the moaning. Nobody is listening.

I think that's a do-able list. Let me know if you think it's rubbish.

G