Another Year Gone...

Another year gone – and we've been so busy we hardly noticed!

With all that has been on our minds we will probably go into our oversight and constituency periods...and eventually our recess for the Christmas holiday with thoughts of our President vying for top spot...how ‘christmasy’ does that sound?

A certain JK Jerome once said: “It is always the best policy, to speak the truth, unless of course you are an exceptionally good liar”! I think our President would disagree...I imagine he would say that “It is simply not a lie if you believe it”!

To be fair – and I must say I have been determined to cut this controversial figure a huge amount of slack – mostly because he has tried to cut others a lot of slack – and - by comparison with the ‘Mbeki denial era’ we have experienced freedom, across this house, to do the oversight we are meant to do with real solutions in mind...and I won’t lie – this has impressed me. Perhaps our President, like the renowned Mark Twain once said, just has “too much respect for the truth to drag it out on every trifling occasion”.

Of course all of us in this house - like it or not – are expected to lie – not because of President Zuma but because of our career choice! Winston Churchill explained it like this “Once in a while you will stumble upon truth but most of us manage to pick ourselves up, and hurry along as if nothing happened.” Now I know, we think we are different...but the people of South Africa...not so much!

Our President is like a super-optimist – optimists see the light at the end of the tunnel...he sees the light but swears blind there is no tunnel. The DA and COPE’s reaction is to call for the light at the end of the tunnel to be turned off until further notice – due to – well – you know - they have their reasons!!

Actually - I think our President is a man of great principle – but what those principles are, mostly it’s hard to tell! Being an optimist myself, I'm keen for him to stay a little longer – weighing up the pro’s and con’s it may just turn out to be – well – let’s not be crazy and say “a good thing” but certainly better than what we had – and – we have no idea what is to come...anything could happen!

I'm guessing from your reaction that the word “comedian” is not going to feature on my resume any time soon! OK...so maybe we should change the subject – and having said the words: “change the subject” – guess what comes to mind – no not the ANC...social media! Have you noticed how people just throw out every random thought and - like many contemporary philosophers - give helpful advice to people who are way happier than they are!

Which makes me think of something Voltaire said - “When he who hears doesn't know what he who speaks means, and when he who speaks doesn't know what he himself means – that is philosophy.” Do you think our President is a philosopher...just saying!?

Actually, I must admit that I have been challenged, encouraged and inspired by many amazing people through social media and have decided to leave you with the words of one of these wise FB scribes...I think our President would like this! “The same sun that melts wax, hardens clay” – brilliant - thank you
Biggy Moruti!

Interfaith Portfolio Committee

Perceptions...

In this work I do...perceptions are not everything...they are the ONLY thing!

Harsh but true – so this is an attempt to stare down some of those perceptions in the hope of changing them.   At Parliament...I think, we really have transitioned from being seen as a ‘Church’ to being seen as a ‘serious political party’, respected as politicians who carry our weight and responsibility across a broad range of issues and portfolios...outside of parliament though...not so much!

Perceptions that we are divided, even divisive and definitely exclusive are so not what we were going for!  Unintended...maybe...but still our own doing!  For people who value unity, generosity, grace and acceptance we really missed the mark!  A shared future for all people living in South Africa is absolutely how it’s got to be.

Judgmental and uncaring are also words that have haunted our early efforts forcing us to greater diligence in compassion and caring as we work with people to make a positive difference in their lives.  Actions, they say, speak louder than words but in many ways our own ill-considered words have distorted the way people interpret our actions.

An impression that we are more concerned about moral issues than ‘bread-and-butter’ issues was created and even as I say this I cringe... a ‘God-help-us, guilty kind of cringe... remembering my own early attempts at commenting on issues impacting our country!   Of course we are concerned about moral issues which we believe impact radically on everyday issues but...more concerned...no...as concerned...yes! 

Stability and prosperity within our borders for families and communities and for neighbouring countries and the world around us are guiding goals as reducing poverty, unemployment and inequality take centre stage.  The needs, struggles and triumphs of individuals and communities in South Africa have in truth always been our passion, we've just had the hardest time – some more than others – stripping our minds and vocabulary of cliches and often quite inappropriate ‘scripture dropping’.   Sadly authenticity has at times eluded us - people sincere in wanting to please God – but presenting as mindless and phony – such a shame – and to my mind...entirely avoidable!

Intolerant and lacking in respect for those different from our selves – more tragic labeling!  This cannot and must not be who we are.  We ourselves are a diverse people with many diverse cultural norms but the one thing we do have in common is our example and mandate to love unconditionally.  Choice and freedom are our own Christian heritage and we, of all people must protect hard won freedoms including freedom of religion, culture and beliefs.

Last but not least, accusations of autocratic leadership, dogmatic doctrine and undemocratic processes ring painfully in my ears - difficult to hear but necessary to acknowledge if we are to stay true to democratic, transparent processes and to honestly hearing and being the voice of all the people we represent.  

Our challenge will always be - how to do this without compromising Christian values & principles – but it is a challenge we must face - we cannot escape or hide from it. A leadership of integrity that can be trusted is what we aspire to be, while we know there will always be the potential for someone to fail to live up to expectations.  

  

Success follows initiative and effort...

Yesterday evening, while hosting a meeting in Parliament I pointed out that entrepreneurship is a crucial piece of the puzzle in addressing South Africa’s job shortages. For South Africa to be the success-story we all want it to be, it is important for each and every citizen to contribute to society and our economy. There can be no better investment than in expanding the creativity and capabilities of young people and offering a platform on which to build a future.

Interestingly my words triggered another 2008 memory…this one, more of a nightmare really…the violent attacks on Foreign Nationals in South Africa in 2008!

I remember apologising in the National Assembly to the 32,000 people, mainly foreign nationals who were displaced and accommodated in tents, community halls and churches across the country. I was just one of many who deeply regretted what had happened. The genuine concern and generous response of many South Africans in reaching out to those who experienced the consequences of the shocking actions of a few was by contrast, inspirational.

All manner of conspiracy theories rose to explain the xenophobia, it was said to be too organised to be spontaneous…yet having visited four different high-density areas in turmoil, I’m not so sure it was particularly organized. Many side agenda’s it seems also took advantage of the situation, escalating and distorting it.

The seemingly sudden outpouring of violence against foreigners shocked us as a nation despite the fact that we knew ‘Xenophobic’ attitudes were rife. One of our major blind spots, I think, is that South Africans see themselves as ‘inherently good people’…while in fact we are all only as good as we choose to be and in reality every one of us is capable of shocking behaviour…just my opinion! Like it or not, I think none of us can afford, not to be aware and not to work on our attitudes and our actions…selfish survival instincts are always breathing down our necks if we let them…lack of sleep, unresolved issues, feeling-hard-done-by…all handy triggers…or is that just me!

I think it is always a mistake to assume that people who have experienced pain and suffering will be compassionate…so often the opposite is true - wounded people tend to wound others and people who have suffered rejection, reject. The vicious cycle is only broken, when people choose to forgive… choose not to take offense…choose to be kind…this takes effort…and commitment.

Foreign migrants to South Africa had increased from 500 thousand in the 1990’s to around 6 million in 2008 and the numbers continue to rise. This is our reality so it is in our interests to ensure that unnecessary pressure is not placed on disadvantaged communities as migrants find their place in society. Easy access to conflict resolution processes are crucial as people living in close proximity and sharing generally inadequate resources are bound to experience times of conflict.

And now slowly but surely I will get to my point. Migrants do actually bring to this country an economic value although it is not always easy for people to appreciate this. Bitter complaints at the time ranged from: “they take our jobs” to “they take our women” and the fact that foreign nationals had businesses caused particular irritation and jealousy. One person told me how unfair it was that people from Mozambique were getting financed by Graca Machel…irrational but tragically heartfelt!

Skills development, mentorship programmes and entrepreneurial opportunities are desperately needed but ultimately people who succeed will always be those who put in the effort and not those who wait for everything to be done for them.

         

                                                     Reiger Park May 2008

Brazil through my eyes...

Inspired by comments on my last blog, I found myself remembering the time I spent in Brazil in 2008. I was on Parliamentary business with the Social Development Committee and we were primarily focused on substance abuse and related issues... not that you can tell from the pictures! You don't get to take the 'real' pics as camera's are not allowed to be pointed in the direction of the really poor areas where gangs and drug lords operate.

So these are some of the prettier and more spectacular memories... I am tempted to explain some of them - like the one of the 60+ year olds during latin dance classes in their community hall as part of a programme for 'older persons' - the 'older' females there are apparently in great shape! Also the soccer stadium or Copacabana Beach.. but then I think if I say something about one or two, I must say something about them all and most speak for themselves.

The Gap!

At lunch yesterday, one of my guests from Melbourne Australia said “The thing that really gets to me is the ‘Gap’ a leader experiences between the vision and the reality you have to work with”...a few simple words but they say so much!

  

Here in South Africa we have shown that we have great vision but there is clearly a ‘gap’ between that vision and the reality we face.  The way I see it...that ‘gap’...the gaping hole that continues to trip us up is – now cut me some slack here, this will hopefully not be as annoying as it looks - the ‘ghost of our colonial and apartheid past’!    

I’m thinking at this moment of Brazil...having just looked at some interesting statistics.  They had a ‘colonial past’...and yet...no gap seems to be preventing them from moving on.  How then, have they dealt with the ghosts in their closet...how did they close that gap?

Get this...increased employment and reduced poverty and inequality!  Yip...its that simple...until poverty and inequality are reduced to where it becomes noticeable for the right reasons...we can do what we like and nothing will change!  Not in our attitudes...not in our perceptions and apparently...not in our behaviour.

Comparing Brazil and South Africa’s average growth rates between 1992 and 2011, Brazil’s growth was only slightly better than South Africa’s - 3,2 per cent compared to 2,9 – so what made the difference?

Brazillian people manage to focus on building a better future...they utilise the resources they have...they export their minerals...and made productive use of their land.  Mines and land can only be productive if people choose to be...unless we collectively and individually commit to a ‘shared future’ – with our own energy and resources...we have no future...not one worth having at any rate.

In Brazil’s fight against poverty, welfare grants have been helpful, but only where they are accompanied by economic opportunities which the poor can access.  Welfare programmes in South Africa...as impressive as they are...have little impact on helping poor people break free from the trap of poverty and dependence on the state.

Brazil’s success, some say, was in large part due to business as a sector...but not just business...business and government working together.   Reduced poverty in China is also inextricably linked to the fact that government and business work together...a hurdle South Africa must still get over!  For government and business to close this gap it will require a serious attitude change on the part of both – superficial efforts will produce superficial results. 

As for me...and I hope for most of us...we will still have to dig deep – checking our attitudes and actions line up with building a shared future.  It’s just possible that if enough of us get it...who knows...maybe we could go a long way in bridging that ‘gap’ between our ‘super-cool’ vision and our ‘not so cool’ reality!   

 

1999 began a new season of special people and places in my life

Special gifts from special people belong in a special place. For me my office is a special place - like being in the eye of the storm... Exhilarating, scary, inspiring and safe in the moment - all at the same time! A place where I experience Gods presence, peace, energy and creative ability. This is the 3rd office I have had since 1999 and the smallest - all have been special places but this one most of all.

A sweet jar from a friend next to my special patched up bear - also from a friend. Both on a book shelf of Parliamentary speeches in my very special place  my office!

Demi and I in 1999 when I took office in Parliament.

My colleagues and I being sworn in in 1999.

Matthew (my youngest, now 18) was 4 years old when he drew this pic of my office at Parliament.

When I grow up...

So…what do you want to be when you grow up? Really, you say,
would somebody actually ask that…at your age? My immediate
response, sad but true, was “Been there, done that, not going there
again”…oops!

Now of course since the question was asked by a smooth-talking,
confident, legally trained and politically minded, Italian male I might
have immediately suspected – it was a pick-up line, that he just
always wanted to say that to someone or he was angling to get me
on board with some or other agenda… or all three. So you see, my
reflex defence mechanism is in place for good reason…we are both
politicians after all and I mean that in the nicest way! When you
know what you’re dealing with you expect nothing more and nothing
less and you are unlikely to be disappointed...that’s my philosophy
anyway!

Getting back to the “been there…”comment for a minute…because
actually, that was not just me thinking I was clever or a quick
defensive quip…I really meant it. Maybe, because I, am doing life
backwards! I think…I was born ‘grown-up’, feeling responsible for
everyone and everything around me… and just when I give myself
permission to not take myself so seriously I do not want to hear
about ‘growing up’.

If that sounds confusing then you may like this advice - it works
for me: “you don’t have to understand something or someone
to enjoy them!” I may be quoting myself here…or did I read it
somewhere…then again…does it even matter?

In “The Road Less Travelled”, a book I found interesting, M Scott
Peck talks about understanding and growth in this way:

“Seek greater understanding, but do not expect greater detail.
There are many who, by virtue of their passivity, dependency, fear
and laziness, seek to be shown every inch of the way and have it
demonstrated to them that each step will be safe and worth their
while. This cannot be done. For the journey of spiritual growth
requires courage and initiative and independence of thought
and action…no teacher can carry you there. There are no pre-
set formulas. Rituals are only learning aids, they are not the
learning…no words can be said, no teaching can be taught that will
relieve spiritual travellers from the necessity of picking their own
ways, working out with effort and anxiety their own paths through
the unique circumstances of their own lives toward the identification
of their individual selves with God.”

Lots of words often mean lots of error but much of this has
challenged me in the last few years and I am grateful I got to read
them. I feel better too, about not wanting to be ‘shown every inch
of the way’…I like the idea of just needing courage and initiative’ for
one day at a time.

I do remember choking a bit on the ‘lazy’ part but it is so true – we
may not be lazy in every area of our lives but where the wheels come
off I have started to see the connection. I had never considered
before the concept of being lazy in certain relationships or people
being lazy in thinking for themselves…it explains a lot!

OK…maybe I will think about growing up…and even consider the
possibility of life after parliament…but only think about it…ok!

I am a girl!

I am a girl!  Yes... an odd thing to say I know...perhaps I mention it because while we know it to be obvious so many of us simply forget to be...the girl we were born to be...I know I did.  I am also a Member of the National Assembly in the Parliament of the Republic of South Africa...for just over 13 years now.

Well this girl and MP, is also a mother of four amazing children...I may not have been quite as amazing as a mother but all four of my children know they were and are my greatest achievements.  My three sons – Marc, John-Paul and Matthew Peter are more or less 10 years apart in age – 38, 28 and 18 – and my daughter Christy is 31 at her next birthday. 

I am also a granny to two gorgeous little boys – Zac Gabriel is 22 months old and Caleb Marc was one month old on my 59^th birthday (8 September, 2012).  Just when you think life couldn’t get busier...it does...but in the nicest way!

Life has been an incredible journey for me...I seem to have been born with a clock ticking and an urgency to do all I could as soon as I reasonably could. Reasonable for me...not necessarily for others! I have a tendency to do a lot of reasoning, weighing, considering and assessing. I find people and life fascinating and enjoy studying both...in my own way, of course!

I love to ‘have coffee’...with people I know and people I want to get to know and with myself...I can be quite good company I have discovered! There have been times in my life where I have been terrible company, sadly, because I really did not appreciate‘me’.

The problem with being someone who ‘does’ things when they occur to me, I tend to run out of dreams...I think it is important to have a dream. Although I may appear to some to be a ‘risk taker’ – and I am - it is always ‘calculated risk’.

On that note, I remember, this girl is also a wife...being married is really life at its most ‘out there’ but so worth the scary and amazing adventure. Demi, my husband, is incredible - he is what I call a ‘centre-stage’ kind of guy but most importantly... he is my guy and I am his girl!

Above all I am my Dad’s girl! Not a Dad in the ordinary sense...in fact He is a Dad in a most extra-ordinary sense...and I keep my hand in His as I step out each day, as fearlessly as I know how, into what may be unknown to me but not unknown to God.

I'm often asked...

I am often asked if I am as depressed about our situation in South Africa and about the failures of government as everyone else appear’s to be and if I, like them, believe things are getting worse and worse to the point of no return.   As often as I am asked, I never seem to be any less amazed by the question, which is so far from what I actually think that in the moment it seems quite absurd!

I think we South Africans, are very hard on ourselves and don’t give ourselves the credit we deserve.  Now, the fact that we are perfectionists and we don’t want some success, we want total success is good...it drives us in a way, to achieve what we do.  It is good that we are not satisfied with a better life for some and we want a better life for all...but we could lighten up along the way and make the journey less tedious and painful!  Would it be a sin for us to at least recognise our achievements even if we don’t want to celebrate them while some people are still hurting and struggling?

Let me start with service delivery – a thorny issue!  Even as I write I hear a chorus of voices shouting failure, failure, failure...so let’s look at these failures through the eyes of a little research.

Data published by the South African Institute of Race Relations shows that between 1996 and 2010:

The number of households living in formal houses increased from 5.8 million to 11 million or by 89.9%. Over the same period the proportion of all households living in a formal house increased from 64% to 76%.

The number of households with access to electricity increased from 5.2 million to 11.9 million or by 127.9%. The proportion of all households with access to electricity increased from 58% to 83%.

The number of households with access to piped water increased from 7.2 million to 12.7 million or by 76.6%. The proportion with access to piped water increased from 80% to 89%.

Increases similar to these are as real for all 15 service delivery indicators tracked by the Institute. These improvements are corroborated by Living Standard Measure improvements which show equally dramatic improvements in the number and proportion of people in higher living standard brackets.

Social welfare, now reaches over 15 million people and the proportion of South Africans living on less than $2/day has declined from 12% in 1994, and a peak of 17% in 2002, to just 5% today.

It can’t be true you say – why – because the newspaper says things are worse – they of course do have an agenda – or because the official opposition says things are worse – well they have an agenda too! 

Now I am not saying that what does go wrong is not wrong...it is...and it must be fixed – but exaggeration and generalising helps no-one.

What about the protests that are now commonplace around the country you say?  Could it be that these protests are not entirely about non-delivery but also about raised expectations that cannot reasonably be met at this point in time...just saying!

OK...now it may be possible that if our school system and the labour market were to deliver, we would be in a better mood to look on the bright side a little...yes I think education and the labour market will have to be my next blogging experiment!