Siyabonga Reflects

The Kiepersol Tree and the Goats: A Metaphor for Power, Yielding, and Consequences Being fully armed does not mean you must fight Have you ever felt like you were being pushed around, underestimated, or treated unfairly? It can be a frustrating and even painful experience. A Zulu proverb, "Goba msenge udliwe izimbuzi," offers a powerful metaphor for this situation. It translates to "Let the kiepersol tree bend so that the goats may eat of it." The kiepersol tree is a hardy plant known for its resilience and ability to survive in harsh conditions. Goats, on the other hand, are often seen as gentle creatures, but they can be destructive if given the opportunity. The proverb suggests that a strong, powerful individual might choose to yield to harassment or insult, even though they know they could easily defend themselves. While this might seem like a selfless act, it can have serious consequences. The goats may become emboldened by the tree's submission and continu...

Understanding people is an essential skill. It can help you in both personal and professional life. By interacting with others, you can learn to read them better. This skill can lead to stronger relationships, better teamwork, and more successful negotiations. Let's dive into why interacting with people is powerful for reading them. Why Interact? Interacting with people helps you gather information. When you talk to someone, you get to see their body language, hear their tone of voice, and observe their reactions. These clues can tell you a lot about what they are thinking and feeling. It’s like getting a peek behind the curtain. The Basics of Reading People 1.Body Language: People often say more with their bodies than with words. Notice if someone is crossing their arms, avoiding eye contact, or fidgeting. These signs can indicate discomfort or anxiety. 2. Tone of Voice: How someone says something is as important as what they say. A calm, steady voice usually means someone is conf...

  The Unsaid Garden... Explaining yourself will wear you out. Image: Dezgo generative AI There's a wisdom that blooms with age, the understanding that explanations are not always necessary. We offer them readily, these seeds of justification scattered in the hope they'll take root in others' minds. But sometimes, the ground is not fertile for our explanations. We yearn for understanding, for the intricate garden of our choices to be admired and nurtured. Yet, explanations can feel like fragile seedlings, easily trampled in the rush of judgment. They can become weeds, choking the space for genuine connection. The truth is, some gardens flourish best in quietude. The gentle hum of your preferences, the unique blooms of your heart's desires – these are yours alone to cultivate. They are the roots that anchor you, a silent language only your soul understands. There's a freedom in letting your garden speak for itself, in the quiet confidence that your ch...

Procrastination: the word itself often evokes images of laziness, missed deadlines, and last-minute panic. But what if I told you that procrastination is not the villain it's made out to be? What if, in fact, procrastination could be your secret weapon to a more creative, productive, and balanced life? Before you scoff, let me take you on a journey through the lesser-known advantages of this much-maligned habit. 1. Creativity Thrives Under Pressure Have you ever noticed that some of your best ideas come when the deadline is looming large on the horizon? This isn't a coincidence. When the clock is ticking, your brain kicks into high gear, pushing you to think outside the box and come up with innovative solutions. This phenomenon, known as "eustress" or positive stress, can lead to bursts of creativity that wouldn't happen under more relaxed circumstances. Procrastination, therefore, can be a catalyst for creativity, transforming mundane tasks into opportunities for...

The South African general public is not fazed by the retirement of Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan; they are still accusing him of wrongdoing   SAA is one of the government companies that are in danger of being sold The retirement of the Minister of Public Enterprises in South Africa has stirred mixed sentiments among the public. Despite calls for his retirement persisting over the years, the announcement has not been met with universal satisfaction. A longstanding point of contention arises from the perceived undoing of the efforts initiated by previous administrations, notably those of Thabo Mbeki and Jacob Zuma.   During the tenures of Mbeki and Zuma, a concerted effort was made to safeguard key public enterprises, ensuring their continued governance by the state. The policy of refraining from privatizing these entities was a cornerstone of their administrations. However, under the current leadership of Cyril Ramaphosa, there has been a discernible shift ...

Decoding 'Wenzeni uZuma':  Unraveling the Mystery Behind the Chant   Zuma is always welcomed by tens and thousands who will defend him by asking "wenzeni uZuma?" In the tumultuous world of South African politics, one chant echoed through the streets: "Wenzeni uZuma," a phrase that became the battle cry for former President Zuma's supporters. But what exactly did Zuma do to earn this catchy slogan?   The allegations against Zuma range from misconduct to a notorious state capture orchestrated by the Gupta family, who seemingly had a VIP pass to the presidential inner circle. Rumor has it; they even had the authority to hire ministers. Talk about an exclusive membership!   Despite the passage of time, the "Wenzeni uZuma" chant remains as persistent as a catchy tune you can't get out of your head. Some folks still insist that Zuma is the epitome of corruption. However, when the anti-Zuma brigade is asked to spill the beans on his allege...