Page 35 - Msingi Afrika Magazine Issue 3

ISSUE THREE | NOV/DEC

cycles where they roll out dancing If it is taught in business schools, relationships… based on the price
monkeys to try and attract more and taught to entrepreneurs that of drinking water (why does it even
business. Governments suffer the ‘holy grail’ of business is have a price? It is a necessity
because they now have fewer profit and that’s how they will be provided for freely by God! So is
tax payers, therefore less tax, so recognized, be appreciated and land.), based not on the number
they squeeze harder causing the grow… guess what type of focus of hospitals but on the number of
businesses to repeat the cycle. businesses will have? those living in health because their
Madness! environment, food and drink is not
For Afrika in particular, this is a poisonous to them. The freedom to
But beyond this dehumanizing really dangerous road to travel move around the continent without
cycle is the actual cost of laughing down. Why do I say that? A quick fear of harassment because there
employees out of their jobs look at our claims to have ‘ubuntu’ are opportunities elsewhere.
because they supposedly ‘couldn’t at the core of how we think and They must begin to redefine what
cut it’ (gauged against some fake how we approach things i.e. I success or economic growth really
made-up standard designed am because you are (or a heart means. Not from numbers but
to cull), or cutting off needed of compassion) will show how from actual life and living in liberty.
supply to those who were already far removed it is from modern
struggling. It’s that the businesses capitalism and the current business It’s about the people – it always
do get richer (for a time) but society template that many pursue. There has been!
is much poorer for it. Wounded, are businesses that pursue a ‘triple I’m talking about business and
impoverished financially, yes… but bottom line’ approach where they government unusual, that is about
more so spiritually, relationally and make an attempt to ensure that the people. Because the cost of
emotionally by the injuries inflicted community welfare is considered doing things any other way is the
by a selfish system that seeks to in what they are doing, and that cost of our souls.
gain for itself… forgetting that it is commendable. Sacrificing wild
is part of a larger whole made profit for the greater good is not To be unusual in business and
up of the very people it exploits a popular approach at all, but it government, like I suggested,
as consumers, employees and does lend itself to sustainability. means that you have to strive to
suppliers. Absolutely and totally. be different and to be different
At the end of the day, the basic simply means you have to be
humanity of our society is afflicted And I’m not talking about CSR or more people-oriented than profit-
in the mindless pursuit of profit. CSI or whatever feel-good name it oriented or road construction
Mark 8:36-37 “For what will has these days. I’m talking about a oriented. You must be a long term
it profit a man if he gains the business choosing not to make $1 thinker, rather than a short term
whole world, and loses his own billion in a year and opting to make profit and glory hunter. For all this
soul? Or what will a man give in maybe half of that because they to be achieved, it takes one who
exchange for his soul?” want their employees, suppliers has walked away from cowardice.
and communities to thrive. I’m Meaning only strong, bold and
If it is evident to the consumers, talking about governments opting brave people do real business or
employees and suppliers (and it to reduce the tax burden on their governing that puts the people
is) that what gets rewarded and citizens because they are people first…there are too many cowards
celebrated is heartless behavior (not slaves) thereby allowing them out there already. Only too willing
that puts money above people… to have some room to breathe, to embrace the status quo and
guess what the society will plan and grow. I’m talking about insist that because ‘that’s the way
engender? basic concern for our neighbors it’s always been done’ then ‘that’s
in every approach we make. A the way it must remain’. That
c-suite that opts to take a hefty capitalism or socialism are the
pay-cut permanently (and not isms by which the world must live
one that is announced to the and die.
world through PR) so that some
employees can keep their jobs and For Africa to succeed, she needs
feed their families. A government to be so invested in the success of
that does not measure its her people that she throws the rule
success or economic growth on book out the window and begins
GDP (I wonder who taught them again, but this time from the heart.
these things?) but based on the And that heart is you and me.
actual living standards of all its
people, their mental health, their Originally published on
community health, the quality of www.theknowledgeconsultancy.com
WWW.MSINGIAFRIKAMAGAZINE.COM 35