Author: WebStar

Listen to Leslie Van Zyl-Smit on Anti Corruption at the Anti-corruption workshop hosted by the Department of Treasury Eastern Cape. 

Introduction In our previous articles, we reflected on the high price of neglecting technical leadership in South Africa’s development journey. As we assessed our progress, or lack thereof, along the Hero’s Journey of nation-building, we unpacked the need for Mentors and a commitment to developing Technical Mastery as one of the fundamental responses to the many…

The Perils of Neglecting Technical Leadership In my last article, I wrote of the Predators which threaten the very fabric of our society. No Trust, No Respect, No Process and No Owner. These flourish in an environment that has put Social Leadership at centre stage, to the detriment of Technical Leadership. It is difficult to take…

Introduction All around I see cultures and communities accepting responsibility for the own wellbeing.  I see ordinary citizens taking care of the parks and common green areas in our city.  Concerned stakeholders are cleaning up garbage in streets, along rivers and on beaches.  Potholes are being fixed by residents and farmers grade their own roads. …

Introduction In our previous article, we argued that one of the key driving forces that have caused South Africa’s inability to harness its socio-economic potential post 1994, is a lack of TECHNICAL leadership.  The prevailing social forces, which have been legislated by government, have resulted in our new democracy sailing, without the necessary balance of social…

INTRODUCTION Since South Africa’s democratic dawn, in 1994, we have navigated through stormy waters. Citizens continue to face great disappointment and many are disillusioned with the fruit of our rainbow nation, which once held such promise. Fruit is the end goal of cultures, and as Chuck Palahniuk wisely said: “The first step to controlling your world is…

In our previous essays, we explained the definition of culture for the purpose of further discussions to follow. All cultures are multi-dimensional [1], structured and dynamic [2], and due to the complexity of any culture, much skill and effort is required if one wants to come to a better understanding of a culture’s artifacts, values and…

Introduction South Africa, like any other democracy, faces numerous challenges as it navigates the complexities of its democratic journey.  Disappointment and disillusionment have been prevalent, as the promised and anticipated fruits of progress often fall short.  In our previous essay, [1] we delved into the multi-dimensional nature of culture and how it shapes the identity of a group.…

South Africa has experienced a bumpy ride since the post-apartheid dawn of the “rainbow nation” in 1994.  As a country, we have struggled to establish a meaningful “rainbow nation” identity, despite the time, effort and resources dedicated to this task. Across racial and economic spectrums, discomfort is the order of the day, with so much…