Adoption of DA Motion will improve transparency in Govan Mbeki Municipality
The Democratic Alliance (DA) welcomes the unopposed adoption of a DA Motion with the intent to improve transparency and accountability in the Govan Mbeki Municipality. The Motion allows for the public to be able to scrutinise the municipality’s bid adjudication committee.
Some functions of a municipal bid adjudication committee include the consideration of reports from the bid evaluation committee and the final awarding of municipal tenders.
The Motion was unopposed in the council. As per the Standing Orders of the Govan Mbeki Council, it will now be considered by the Mayoral Committee, specifically considering any possible legal implications of the implementation of the Motion in terms of municipal finance regulations and the Protection of Personal Information (POPI) Act. Following this, a report is expected by the council.
Cllr Ciska Jordaan.
It is no secret that South African Municipalities are plagued by corruption which is often rampant behind closed doors where tenderpreneurship thrives.
Being transparent with the business of the bid committee grants public assurance that municipal tenders are awarded in an ethical manner, free from corruption and maladministration.
“For too long, the Govan Mbeki Municipality has been doing its business in darkness,” says Cllr Ciska Jordaan, “The DA hopes that the mayoral committee will consider this Motion with the gravity that it deserves, as we will continue to shine the spotlight on the financial affairs of this municipality.”
ANIMALS 101 – PROACTIVE STRATEGIES TO CUT DOWN ON VETERINARY COSTS.
As a pet owner, it’s important to understand that all veterinary practices have unavoidable built-in costs, and when choosing a provider, the cost is just one of many variables you should consider. When you’re creating your household budget, it makes sense to include pet health care expenses and emergency funds as well as to be as proactive as possible when it comes to preventing lifestyle-related diseases.
Consider pet insurance.
Safe a bit every month.
Get involved in animal welfare. Volunteer your time. This way you can build great relationships which can come in handy in an emergency.
Annual vet checks are crucial.
Be proactive.
Image by Dr. Karen Becker (Facebook page)
TOP PROACTIVE STRATEGIES TO AVOID BIG VET BILLS.
Dental checks — if you see any plaque and tartar accumulating on your pet’s teeth start an at-home dental hygiene routine. Unaddressed oral issues are a common reason for super-expensive veterinary dental procedures so preventing them from occurring can save you thousands, over time.
Examine your pet’s ears — animal ear canals should be like yours, clean and dry. Remove accumulating debris or wax daily, or however often is needed to keep your pet’s ears in pristine condition.
Examine your pet’s eyes — remove accumulating debris as it forms with a damp cloth and keep the hair trimmed short around the eyes to avoid matting and secondary moist pyodermas (skin infections).
Lumps and bumps inventory — run your hands over your pet’s body weekly and keep an at-home body and skin chart. Note the date, location, and size of any new skin tags, warts, lumps, or bumps. Update your pet’s body chart as things change and if you see rapid changes, it’s time for a well-justified vet exam.
Monitor bowels daily — catching changes in your pet’s stools the minute they happen allows you to immediately address them with some home remedies from a veterinarian and dietary adjustments that oftentimes prevent a trip to the vet.
Monitor your pet’s weight at home — weigh yourself, then weigh yourself holding your animal. This gives you some idea if your pet is headed up or down the scale; certainly not exact, but you’ll get some idea about how you need to adjust the upcoming weeks’ calories. Maintaining your pet’s weight reduces the potential for a multitude of diseases.
Range of Motion check-in — your animal needs a lot of daily activity to maintain the resiliency of their muscle mass, ligaments, tendons and overall strength. If you find your animal is moving even slightly slower, is hesitant to climb stairs, or to join you on the couch, address this change immediately.
Proper grooming – do regular grooming, including keeping them clean (don’t wash too often), combing them regularly and keeping their nails trimmed.
Provide enrichment – exercise regularly and meet both your pet’s physical and emotional needs. Strive for at least 30 minutes of intense and interesting physical activity a day and play games which engage them mentally.
Observe body language – when you can spot the changes in their body language and behaviour, you can act immediately when something is off. With any behaviour changes, it is important to rule out health problems, by visiting your trusted veterinarian.
Have a home emergency kit – having the right tools to treat small injuries can prevent it from getting worse or from becoming infected later.
Supervision – when eating bones (not as food, only recreational), when swimming and playing with new or hazardous toys.
Keep them safe in your secure yard – avoid potential injuries caused by other people, other animals, ingestion or being hit by a car when they escape out of the yard.
Keep health treatments up-to-date – vaccinations against dangerous illnesses, tick and flea treatments and regular deworming can prevent unnecessary and expensive trips to the vet.
Protection against extreme weather – follow out tips for pets in summer and winter.
Apart from tracking weekly changes in your pet’s health, investigating and thoroughly understanding any current health issues is critical to your effective alignment with your loved ones’ prescribed protocols.
Assessing water and air quality — are the chemicals being filtered out of the tap or well water my pet drinks?
How many chemically off-gassing fabrics, upholstery, furniture and carpet is my pet exposed to, and am I offering a means of detoxification?
Are there chemical endocrine disrupters routinely present in the home? Food stored in plastic bags? Does my pet chew plastic toys? Room sprays, plug-ins, or heavily scented candles often used?
Does my animal have exposure to lawn chemicals or household extermination chemicals that can negatively affect their health?
Do I know where the ingredients in my pet’s food come from and do I feel confident my animal is getting all the nutrition they need to thrive with what I’m currently feeding? What percentage of my animal’s diet is ultra-processed versus unprocessed, real, fresh food? How many times were the ingredients in the food my animal is eating heated? (Each time nutrients are heated AGEs form, which contributes to many chronic disease processes).
Flea and tick pesticides are expensive and have potential side effects; have I assessed my animal’s unique exposure risks for my location.
Am I checking vital organ function annually to assure myself my animal is as healthy on the inside as they appear to be on the outside? The only way to address disease is to identify it as soon as possible, proactive bloodwork is critical to the wellness process.
Don’t follow home remedies from unqualified individuals on the internet.
For emergencies, learn pet CPR and how to help a choking animal. Have an emergency poison treatment pack as part of your first aid kit.
If there are health concerns or sudden changes, always consult your Vet! After receiving a diagnosis, the goal is to co-create a viable treatment or quality of life plan you feel confident and comfortable executing at home.
Remember neglect and not providing medical care, when necessary, can be considered animal cruelty! They are your responsibility!
All of this revolves around you having an adequate knowledge base about what’s going on in your animal’s body to make good choices, and that only happens by educating yourself.
Next week we will look at what we consider to be a responsible pet owner.
Curro Secunda is still celebrating after its Class of 2021 achieved a 100% pass rate. The school’s exceptional pass rate grants these learners access to tertiary education providers to study towards degrees, diplomas, or any other course of their choice.
Curro Secunda prepares its learners to write the Independent Examination Board (IEB) examinations at the end of Grade 12. The IEB is a recognised player in the South African education landscape and offers an alternative voice on curriculum and assessment matters and to contribute positively to debate on educational issues.
IEB in a nutshell
The IEB aims to not only teach learners the skills inherent in the subject curricula but do so in an expanded way so that learners are able to apply the skills in wider context. Learners are therefore prepared for life after school with skills sets that go beyond subject specific knowledge.
IEB learners follow the same South African National Curriculum as those writing the NSC examination. Learners are largely taught the same content, however, the approach to learning differs in the two systems.
The IEB has its own subject assessment guidelines and sets its own examinations.
As with the NSC, the following four core subjects are a compulsory requirement for IEB:
Two official languages
Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy
Life Orientation
As with the NSC, the IEB is recognised by local and international universities; although, a university may still require a prospective student to write its internal entrance exam, regardless of which matric certificate they have.
Umalusi, the Council for Quality Assurance in General and Further Education and Training, oversees the quality assurance of the management and administration of both the NSC and IEB examinations, and is the body that issues an overarching National Senior Certificate to all successful candidates.
POLICE CLEAN UP THE STREETS FROM DAGGA AS TWO SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED WITH DAGGA
Nelspruit: Police from Piet Retief worked hard in cleaning up the streets from all forms of drugs, including dagga where they arrested two suspects, aged 43 and 38 on allegations of dealing in dagga yesterday, Monday 07 March 2022 in Piet Retief.
According to the report, police received information from some members of the public about suspects involved in the selling of dagga. The members then acted accordingly and upon arrival at a certain house in Ajax Compound (Piet Retief) found two men and immediately conducted a search whereby they discovered seven bags stashed with dagga.
The suspects were immediately arrested and charged for dealing in dagga. The seized dagga is estimated to worth almost R20 000 in street value.
The two male suspects are expected to appear before the Piet Retief Magistrate’s Court today, Tuesday 08 March 2022 facing the said charges.
The Provincial Commissioner of the SAPS in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela has welcomed the arrest and thanked members of the community for their relentless efforts in alerting police about criminal activities. “The collaboration between police and the public is really yielding positive results. Working together going forward will also assist us in eradicating all forms of drugs in the society ” emphasized the General.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number on 0860010111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
TWO SUSPECS DUE IN COURT FOR ENTICING HAWKS MEMBERS
MPUMALANGA – Two suspects aged between 41 and 43 are expected to appear before the Volksrust Magistrates’ court on Tuesday, 08 May 2022 after they were arrested by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team based in Secunda for corruption.
It is alleged that on Monday members of the Hawks were attending court at Volksrust for a bail application for dealing in drugs. An investigator reportedly received a phone call regarding an unknown Nigerian male who wanted to meet him to negotiate the release of his brother who was appearing in court for dealing in drugs. The brother was apparently arrested on the 9 December 2021 and has been in custody since.
Volksrust
A sting operation was put in place after the court granted authorisation. The two suspects approached the investigator as planned and offered an amount of R5000 in order to ensure the brother`s release. The pair offered to pay an additional amount to make the case disappear.
The pair was consequently arrested and charged for corruption.
Police are urging anyone with information to call the Crime Stop number on 0860010111 or send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
Whistleblower – The decision to become a whistle-blower is not to be taken lightly
Becoming a whistle-blower is one of the biggest decisions to make. It is a life-changing decision. It is also one that is wrought with danger and intimidation.
The decision should not be taken without consultation with close family members as this will put a lot of strain on relationships within the family group.
In doing research for these articles, I have endeavoured not to become closely involved and to write my own opinions on the matter. I have combed the internet in search of reasons and explanations.
There are now several groups and organisations that offer help to whistleblowers. Legislation in South Africa is very advanced when it addresses whistleblowing but in practice, it is another story altogether. This is where the groups and organisations are of great help.
Let us explore some of the reasons that people become whistleblowers.
There is no question that most whistleblowers decide to act because they feel their sense of justice and code of ethics compels them to do so. Whistleblowers understand that the illicit activity taking place isn’t just illegal—it can also be harmful. Illicit actions may harm the community, jeopardize the health of the employees, compromise environmental safety, or defraud the government and, ultimately, taxpayers. Whistleblowers are driven by a strong sense of integrity. They simply want to do the right thing.
In some cases, whistleblowers are motivated by a sense of self-preservation. There is one famous case in which a Vietnam veteran became a whistleblower when he realized his Medicare claim was denied due to egregious overbilling for services he hadn’t received. As a result, the veteran, who had muscular dystrophy, couldn’t get the care that he truly needed. He brought a qui tam lawsuit in an effort to stop the Medicare fraud, and so that he could receive the medical care he needed.
The decision to become a Whistleblower makes one different from the norm.
If you have taken the step to become a whistle-blower it would be advisable to take advice from lawyers and groups that specialise in this field but also take care as not to blabber all your information to the world.
The following advice was taken from Facebook that was written by an actual whistle-blower:
How to speak up.
1. Don’t.
2. But if you do, make sure you make backups of backups all the time.
3. Install a phone call recorder.
4. Make sure you have a proper audio recording quality on your phone. Test it. Make an easy and quick to access icon on your phone.
5. Ensure that your phone is locked with at least a pin or fingerprint.
6. Install a background video recorder on your phone. These apps have a quick launch button while your phone is locked. It also ensures that another person cannot grab your phone and delete the video as your phone is locked.
7. Record all meetings and discussions you are party to. Refer to the RICA act of South Africa.
8. Write down what happens to you as soon as possible and email it to yourself. It will help you to remember facts of events and dates and times. This will also give you a file with an electronic date and time stamp on which could be useful.
9. Make backups of your storage devices and give it to people you trust to keep safe. A lawyer will keep a storage device for you for a small fee. You can even give a storage device to your life insurance broker to keep for you.
10. Make backups of your files on the cloud. It’s free. Use multiple usernames.
11. Use internet cafe computers if you can, to back up your files to the cloud. Make sure to not write the username or password down anywhere. Make sure it is something you will never forget. This will give you the power to access your files from any internet connection in the world.
12. Save ALL emails, no matter how unimportant it seems at the time. Make backups regularly.
13. Study up on the law and acts of South Africa. Use Google to find any act of South Africa.
14. Study up on South African case law (already determined cases which may be like your case). Use Google or the SAFLII website. https://www.saflii.org/
15. Union reps are usually on the employer’s payroll. Don’t expect too much help when taking on your employer.
16. Be proactive. You could be ignored on purpose.
17. Be prepared to lose your job.
18. Lawyers are very expensive. Some law firms will help you on a Pro Bono basis. Ask them.
19. To take your case to labour court is insanely expensive. R80 grand and more as a deposit before your lawyer even take your case to court.
20. Get emotional support, see a psychologist or psychiatrist. It gets tough, really tough.
21. Know your case inside and out. Never doubt yourself. Keep a diary if you can, you’ll be surprised how that helps.
22. Ethics lines work for money, don’t expect much.
23. Read the Protected Disclosures Act. But don’t rely on its stipulations to be adhered to.
24. Make sure that your files end up in capable hands should anything happen to you. Make multiple arrangements.
25. It will take many years. It is a marathon, not a sprint.
26. No one wants to go to prison. So, expect threats and intimidation by the guilty to keep you quiet.
27. Ensure the safety of yourself and your family. Get advice and help where you can.
28. “There is no avoiding war, it can only be postponed to the advantage of others.” Meaning, act as soon as you can, don’t rely on internal procedures alone. If it concerns the outside world, then tell the outside world (meaning tell the authorities).
29. Finally once you start it’s like a water slide…. there is no getting off until the end.
There are several links below that one can visit for more information and support:
Information on the Protected Disclosures Act by the Institute for Security Studies click HERE
Lentreis… Hoe kan ons met die laaste 40 dae voor die kruis vereenselwig met Jesus se pad? Hoe kan ons deel word van hierdie pad? Om teenwoordig te wees in hierdie reis en deel te word van wat hierdie pad bring. Reis saam ons, reis saam Jesus op die pad na die kruis.
We all hope our pets will live long, happy and healthy lives. Yet the reality is, unexpected accidents, illnesses and other pet medical situations happen. Animal welfare organizations often have to help, because an animal is suffering and their owners did not prepare financially for an emergency. For this reason, it could be beneficial to take out some pet insurance at a low premium every month.
When you decide to shop for pet insurance coverage, it’s important to fully understand the exclusions and other limitations of the plan you’re considering. Some may require you to pay the vet and then claim back, others load it on an insurance card to swipe etc.
Plans vary widely, so ignore the marketing hype and thoroughly research your options; making a list of pros and cons can be helpful in the decision-making process. We are not endorsing any specific product, however here are just some of the brokers you can consider in South Africa OUTsurance Pet, Checkers pet insurance (underwritten by OUTsurance), Oneplan, Dotsure, Pet First insurance, MediPet and more. You can compare them through www.hippo.co.za.
Like other types of insurance, pet insurance is the transfer of risk to a third party in exchange for paying a monthly premium. Pet insurance is purchased to transfer the risk of unexpected medical expenses that could be very high.
WHAT DOES PET INSURANCE COST?
Pet insurance typically costs between R 100-500 per month per pet, depending on the level of coverage and can cover up to 90% of vet bills. You can select the premium and amount of coverage based on your needs.
Alternatives to a pet health insurance plan, you can keep an emergency fund and apply for a medical expenses credit card or a veterinary discount card. Some people choose to pay a certain amount into their vets’ account every month.
The Penny Hoarder website offers a list of pet insurance pros and cons you might find helpful as you consider whether a plan makes sense for you and your furry family member.
Image from The Paw Company
PROS
It’s easy to compare your options — Compared to human health insurance plans, plans for pets are relatively straightforward, and you can get no-commitment quotes online from different companies within minutes.
Premiums can be low — If your pet is young and healthy, or you choose a lower tier, you can get coverage for a very low monthly fee.
You usually get to choose your vet — There are none of the usual human health plans “out of network” provider headaches with pet insurance. As long as the veterinarian you take your pet to is licensed, eligible expenses should be covered.
You can do more for your pet — No one wants to have to choose between a sick pet and a mountain of debt. Too many pet owners, faced with a catastrophic medical crisis they hadn’t prepared for, are forced to make the heart-breaking decision to elect “economic euthanasia.” Pet insurance may save you from having to face such a decision.
Pet insurance can provide you with the peace of mind and confidence to make better health care decisions that are in the best interest of your pet.
Image from The Paw Company
CONS
Premiums can be high — If your pet is older, has a pre-existing condition or you choose a high tier, it will cost more. In addition, premiums tend to increase yearly, so your monthly pet care budget will need to grow accordingly.
It doesn’t cover everything — On average, pet owners with insurance still pay around 20% of their pets’ medical expenses. Routine wellness check-ups usually aren’t covered, often along with certain hereditary/genetic conditions. Some insurance have many exclusions.
You still have to pay for procedures upfront in some cases — Unlike in human medicine, veterinarians don’t involve themselves with pet insurance. This means you must pay your veterinarian the full amount, and then submit the proper forms to your insurance provider for reimbursement.
The coverage has limitations — Many plans limit the amount you can claim, either annually or over your pet’s lifetime. If your pet suffers a major medical problem, you could max out your plan’s limit pretty quickly and find yourself paying the difference. If this is a concern for you, look for plans without payment caps.
If your pet only needs routine vet care, you won’t save much — So break out the numbers for an average year.
BUDGET FOR THE ANIMALS IN YOUR CARE
When you’re creating your household budget, it’s a really good idea to include pet care expenses such as:
Regular wellness check-ups, including dental care.
Costs for proper nutrition and daily care.
Costs for treatment of unexpected illness or injury.
Costs for breed-specific conditions that may arise, such as allergies, skin diseases, heart problems, or orthopedic conditions.
Never let a pet suffer because you didn’t plan! In these difficult times contact your local animal welfare organisations like the SPCA, in advance and ask whether they have programs for this, that you can join. If you don’t have the funds and the animal is suffering, rather surrender them to your local SPCA to be euthanized.
Next week we will look at some strategies to avoid high vet bills.
Secunda Digi Mag Rugby Club managed to secure a win over Vereeniging this past Saturday.
Secunda Digi Mag Rugby Club played hosts to Vereeniging Rugby Club on Saturday and managed to secure wins for both the Second Team and the First Team.
The final scores were:
Seconds 66-7
First team 22-17
The weather threatened to have the final say in the main event as thunder and lightning strikes kept the players off the field for nearly an hour. Safety is paramount with lightning.
Rain fell and made the playing conditions a little bit more difficult.
It is fortunate that the field was not as wet as the previous Friday when two district U/20 teams played.
The teams both started with eagerness to have some game time but the eagerness proved difficult for the Secunda team. A penalty close to the poles made it easy for the visitors (Vereeniging) to put points on the board.
Another quick penalty was not converted by Vereeniging though.
Secunda managed to stack up the points very quickly, securing a 22-10 lead early on. Poor discipline nearly had disastrous effects as the visitors kept attacking clawing their way to a close 17 points to Secunda’s 22. Secunda Digi Mag Rugby Club did not score any points in the second half.
The visitors were awarded two penalty tries!
Penalty try!
The main culprits were the scrums as the front row were scrumming upwards and not forward. The visitors’ Loosehead prop managed to scrum inwards and up also resulting in Secunda’s error but was unfortunately not seen by the referee. (No critic to the referee intended)
Vereeniging scrumming inwards
The lineouts went fairly well as both teams contended the lineouts vigorously. There were some mistakes made by both teams, but no team really proved to be very dominant in the lineouts.
Sasol player reaching for the ball
The backlines of both teams took every opportunity to attack. The ball-handling skills were not as good as one would expect as several knocks and handling errors were made.
Good, solid defence
Although it would be easy to criticize the teams for the mistakes they made, it is important to note that it is the beginning of the season and that the skills displayed during the game were good and exciting.
The defences of Secunda proved again to be of a high standard and the home team restricted the visitors to scoring nearly no point of their own.
Sasol defence
The only few areas of slight concern would be discipline, (and Secunda is known for good discipline,) and handling skills.
Secunda Digi Mag Rugby Club will once again prove what quality rugby they can produce and we are all looking forward to a good year of rugby.
Geniet nog ‘n aflewering van “So is die Lewe” uit die pen van Marius Britz.
Lillian Watson vertel in haar boek Light from many lamps die verhaal van Harold Russel, ‘n Amerikaanse soldaat van die tweede wêreldoorlog. Hy is in ‘n geveg beseer. Toe hy wakker word na sy noodoperasie, was daar verbande waar sy hande moes wees: albei sy hande is afgesit. Hy het hulpeloos en nutteloos gevoel. Wat kan ‘n mens sonder hande doen? Waarvoor was hy goed? Hy was ‘n kreupele. Toe ontvang hy besoek van ‘n veteraan uit die eerste wêreldoorlog wat self sy hande verloor het. “Die struikelblok wat jy moet oorkom,” het die veteraan gesê, “is nie jou gebrek nie, maar jouself. Dis nie wat jy verloor het nie, maar wat jy oorhou. Jy is nie ‘n kreupele (crippled) nie, maar ‘n gestremde (handicapped).”
Harold Russell By Samuel Goldwyn Company – http://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/harold_russell/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=26421342
Toe die veteraan daar weg is, het Russel ‘n woordeboek gevind en met moeite die twee woorde opgesoek. Crippled, het hy vasgestel, beteken ongeskik, onbekwaam om korrek te funksioneer. Onder handicapped het hy die volgende raakgeloop. Enige nadeel of hindernis wat sukses in ‘n onderneming moeiliker maak. Dit het hom getref: dis nie wat jy verloor nie, maar wat jy oorhet wat tel. Russel het ‘n filmster geword en ‘n Akademietoekenning gekry vir sy toneelspel.
Die ergste pyn van die meeste menslike beproewinge, het ‘n filosoof met die naam Jean Grou gesê, is die weerstand van jou gees teen beproewing. Om waardig te lewe, vereis dat jy verder moet kyk as die negatiewe in jou lewe, dit wat jy nie het nie, of dit wat jy verloor het, en dat jy sal voluit gaan met dit wat jy wel het. Jy moet jouself anders instel, sodat jy innerlik kan groei om te woeker met dit wat jy wel het.
Kom ons vra so: wat het jy nodig om waardig te lewe? Baie mense is so. Hulle het so ‘n teenwoordigheid om hulle. As hulle in ‘n vertrek instap, is jy dadelik bewus dat hulle daar is. Dit maak nie saak of hulle arm of ryk, mooi of lelik of wat ook al is nie. Wat hulle anders maak, is hulle geesteskrag. Dit gee aan hulle ‘n status, ‘n waardigheid. Maar dit is moeilik om presies te beskryf wat geesteskrag is. Baie boeke en verhandelinge is al daaroor geskryf, en dikwels is daar uiteenlopende standpunte. Hoe oefen jy om met geesteskrag te lewe?
Soos met baie lewensbelangrike sake, kan jy maar dit heel eenvoudig formuleer. Robert Fulghum sê alles wat jy nodig het om waardig te leef, leer jy in die sandbak by die kleuterskool. Dit gee aan jou gereedskap vir die lewe. Kyk wat is die basiese lewensreëls wat die kleuters daar leer:
Deel alles wat jy het
Speel altyd eerlik
Moenie aan iemand slaan nie
Sit dinge terug waar jy dit gekry het
Tel jou eie rommel op
Moet niks vat wat nie aan jou behoort nie
As jy iemand seergemaak het, sê jy is jammer
Was jou hande voor ete
Leef ewewigtig; leer ‘n bietjie, dink ‘n bietjie, teken en skilder en sing en dans en speel ‘n bietjie, werk elke dag soveel as wat jy moet
Rus genoeg, en sorg dat jy elke dag genoeg slaap inkry
Moet nooit ophou om verwonderd te wees nie.
As mens mooi na sy stellings kyk, dan is dit alles elementêre dinge hierdie, wat tegelykertyd liefde, higiëne, omgee vir ander, verbeelding, eerlikheid, toekomsgerigtheid en verstandigheid insluit. Dit beteken dat lewe in sy geheel gebalanseerd moet wees. Alles is nie altyd net sleg nie. Alles is nie altyd net goed nie. Die lewe is problematies leefbaar, want dit is ‘n interverweefde tappiserie van gebeure.
Dit is die geesteskrag wat ons kan uitleef. Ons moet ‘n dringende smagte na ‘n waardige lewe verkry. Hoe doen mens dit?
Geesteskrag kry jy eerstens deur sekere waardes te hê wat aan jou lewe rigting en betekenis gee. Dit beteken nie dat geld en luuksheid vir jou ‘n dryfkrag moet wees nie, maar dit beteken veel meer. In jou verbondenheid aan God is daar ‘n wêreld van vrede opgesluit. Dan kan jy die mislukkings op jou pad, die seerkry, die teleurstellings met waardigheid in die oë kyk. Want in geloofslewe is daar ‘n dieper dimensie in jou lewe, ‘n sfeer wat vêr verby die grense van die mens se verstand gaan.
Daarom gee geloof aan jou die vermoë om te berus as daar dinge gebeur wat jy nie kan verander nie. Hierdie waardes weerhou jou daarvan om andere seer te maak; dit keer jou om jou eie belang te soek en in die proses jou te verneder, dit weerhou jou daarvan om ‘n gek van jouself te maak deur die uitsprake wat jy maak. Dit laat jou uitstaan tussen ander mense. Dit maak van jou ‘n toevlugplek, ‘n bastion van troos en veiligheid vir jou familie en vriende.
Hierdie verbondenheid aan geestelike waardes is egter geen waarborg vir ‘n konflikvrye bestaan, of ‘n lewe sonder angs of seerkry nie. Juis die teendeel is moontlik- dat jy moet aanhou waarsku en vermaan, selfs al word jy daaroor gespot en geminag, dit beteken dat jy moet bly pleit vir egtheid terwyl andere meer gewildheid of aansien het met hulle valsheid. Om waardig te lewe beteken dat jy die waarheid altyd moet verdedig. Al sou jy daardeur angs ervaar terwyl andere gemaklike sekerheid ervaar.
Geesteskrag behels tweedens dat jy verantwoordelikheid sal neem vir die verloop van jou lewe, en nie die skuld vir jou ellendes en negatiwiteit verplaas na ander mense en omstandighede nie. Baie mense is geneig om die hele wêreld te blameer vir die misterie van hulle lewens. Om altyd te loop en foutsoek, om negatief en afbrekend te wees teenoor almal en alles is om jou waardigheid te verloor.
Daar is niks wat jou so vinnig ‘n reputasie besorg as juis die feit dat jy nooit iets goeds van enige iemand te sê het nie. As jy verantwoordelikheid aanvaar vir jou eie optrede en foute, dan help dit jou om dinge realisties waar te neem, om selfkrities te wees, en om gedurigdeur geestelik te groei.
Geesteskrag behels derdens ook dat jy waardig sal optree in konfliksituasies in jou lewe, omdat jy dit op ‘n konstruktiewe manier sal hanteer. ‘n Wyse professor in die wysbegeerte honneursklas het aan ons gesê: moet nooit jou lewenswaardigheid verloor deur te reageer op onwaarhede en venyn nie. Want as jy impulsief sou reageer as iemand onwaarhede of verdraaiings oor jou verkondig, dan loop jy die gevaar om jou waardigheid te verloor. ‘n Mens kan konflik op verskeie maniere hanteer:
Soos ‘n haai kan jy verskeur en wond om elke geveg te wen, en in die proses alle waardigheid verloor.
Soos ‘n groot ou teddiebeer kan jy maar altyd stilbly ter wille van die vrede, en so jou selfrespek en lewenssin verloor.
Soos ‘n skilpad kan jy jou kop intrek en wegvlug van alle konflik af.
Soos ‘n kat kan jy aanhou kerm totdat jy jou sin kry.
Of, soos ‘n waardige uil, kan jy luister en verstaan, en deurdag reageer of nie reageer nie, en kan jy ook respek afdwing met jou eie wysheid. Geesteskrag gee aan jou kalmte en bedaardheid, en weerhou jou daarvan om ingetrek te word in smerigheid van andere se ligsinnige en roekelose lewens.
Geesteskrag kom vierdens na jou toe deur ‘n opgeruimde lewensbenadering en humorsin. ‘n Mens sien dikwels mense wie se onvergenoegde en suur houding dit duidelik uitspel: hulle het nooit geleer om te geniet nie. Nooit geleer om te sê: “ek is jammer” nie. Hulle is wantrouig teenoor andere, en bloot daarop ingestel om hulleself en hulle eie idees te bevorder. Hulle is ook die grootpraters, die allesweters. Hulle kan ook nooit sê: “ek was verkeerd” nie. Om jou foute te erken, is om waardig te wees.
‘n Opgeruimde lewensbenadering kom in al jou interpersoonlike verhoudings na vore. Dit breek die grense tussen mense af. Die Bybel sê: ‘n sagte woord keer die grimmigheid af. Beswaardheid, kommer, negatiwiteit en ‘n allesoorheersende erns veroorsaak dat mens se gees smoor. ‘n Vrolike hart bring geesteskrag wat genees en herskep. Luister dikwels na goeie musiek.
Geesteskrag behels laastens dat mens die uitdagings van verandering aanvaar. As jy ouer word, of die kinders gaan uit die huis uit, of ‘n geliefde van jou sterf, kan dit maklik veroorsaak dat jou eie lewe dan daarmee heen is. Daar is soveel mense wat leef vir gister, vir dit wat verby is. Hulle sien eenvoudig nie meer die mooi van die lewe raak nie, hulle ervaar nie meer vreugde nie. Baie mense sê: die dag toe ons pa dood is, het ons ons ma ook verloor.
‘n Mens wat geesteskrag het, fokus op wat hy nog oorhet, en nie op dit wat hy verloor het nie. Want as jy slegs fokus op die verlore geleenthede in jou lewe, op diegene vir wie jy lief was wat jou vooruitgegaan het, op die slegte van jou bestaan, dan verloor jy ook alles wat jy nog steeds het, jou huweliksmaat, jou kinders, kleinkinders, familie en vriende.
Dit is die sin van jou lewe, om voluit te lewe. Ongeag.
