Placing humanity at the core of our economy, politics
NOTHING could be more abnormal in these times than the radical and rapidly changing conditions in which we are living. We lunge from one new crisis to another.
Where once we were held up as global beacons of hope, strong exemplars of consciousness and humanity in action, we have to ask the question, what have we done to ourselves and how did we get here? Caught in the whirlpool of the loss and betrayal of recent events, a paralysing pessimism threatens our national psyche and we find ourselves in a downward spiral of despair.
Every great historical moment, whether creative or destructive, had always had a single individual at the helm of affairs, reshaping events that dictate the course of history.
On the dismal lapses, cut-throat clandestine dealings and cowardice displayed by leaders and the led alike lies dependent the security, well-being and happiness of millions of people. The tremendous tension in the energy and spirit of this nation that has risen from the unconscious actions of extreme selfishness and cynical materialism of an insufficiently evolved leader cannot be ignored. This, coupled with the clash and conflict within a once conscious organisation that stood tall and proud, sees itself disintegrating and unravelling the collective goodwill generated over 23 years. However, as much as we may resent it, we cannot escape the changes that are being foisted on us.
In a quest to uncover conscious companies it became evident that when men and women capable of great leadership appear on the scene, sooner or later they come to possess an influence commensurate with their greatness. Outstanding epochs in the history of an organisation or nation were made legendary by their outstanding leaders who worked with purpose, placing humanity first. To gain the deeper consciousness and finer perceptions that distinguish great men like a Gandhi or a Mandela from others you had to place humanity at the centre. One such man who is but an instrument of consciousness is former Minister Jay Naidoo – the keynote speaker at the Conscious Companies Awards on May 11.
His recently published book Change: Organising Tomorrow Today gives one hope that humanity, regardless of how dark or degenerative, is worth saving. He talks about the unselfish actions of leaders who admittedly made mistakes, but put humanity in the centre of everything they did. They also sought to bring about harmony, create stability, prosperity and co-operation with others towards a more conscious world view of mutual help and service.
“We need to create a world that is not hostile to the everyday existence of young people” he states. Jay’s first meeting with Steve Biko in the 1960s inspired a fierce conviction.
Long-term “Biko reminded us that the struggle for fundamental transformation is long-term, that we could change our reality. He had offered us hope, but now we were on our own. How would we continue to fight?” Jay asks and answers the following: “We should ask ourselves the question – what is the economy we want? Surely we should put humanity at the centre of everything we do. If we do things for economic gain like this desperate rush for accumulation to worship the new God of materialism – then this is not what we should hand over to the next generation, because that trajectory has taken us to the edge of the precipice.
“Unless we put humanity at the core of our political and our economic systems, it is unsustainable.”
“The lesson I had learnt in my life,” he adds “is that the big missing chapter in our equation in building our democracy is that the most important task is to change the human being. And that is why in 1994 we walked away from the precipice of a civil war that would have destroyed much of the country and killed hundreds and thousands of people.
“Peace does not mean that we have to accept inequality, accept corruption or shy away from the type of challenges we are experiencing now.” The book is inspirational and deeply personal and has an abiding message for all South Africans.
In one week we had suffered tremendous loss in the passing of Uncle Kathy and in the burning betrayal and deliberate humiliation of our conscious leaders.
The fierce endeavours, hurry, excitement and struggle for survival in our daily lives leave little room for thoughtful reflection and active participation. However, the hour has come for us to realise that only when the politician and the economist, the statesman and the soldier, the minister and the citizen has the humility to take responsibility, and only when he or she has the courage to admit that political, social and economic reform cannot happen without corrective and conscious behaviour, only then can we turn our backs from the terrifying consequences that lie ahead.
Every great historical moment, whether creative or destructive, had always had a single individual at the helm of affairs, reshaping events
Brenda Kali is the MD of Conscious Companies, a communication strategist and a transformation coach. She is the author of Beyond Corporate Sludge: Insights to create balance and harmony in the corporate world.
The gala event will be held at the Hyatt Regency on May 11, 2017 in partnership with Business Report and Classic FM.