Today's hit me right between the eyes

I was about to leave for home when a cash-in-transit vehicle parked me in, restocking an ATM. As I walked past the ATM and the guard with his R5, I could see he's been briefed thoroughly, aloof and evidently much on the edge.

How well trained to act in response to a threatening situation, I don't know, but I felt a shiver running down my spine as I moved along. I remember how I was trained with competency, respect for life, in love with my country.

The one I find hard to recognise these days

I paused in front of my vehicle for them to finish so I can get out. The omen in my head for a moment forgotten as I stared at my social stream - farm murders - #blackmonday - hate speech - irresponsible people not caring about the consequences on others.

2 Hours earlier, I was on the line with an astute businessman, one I have the greatest respect for. "They're trying to start a civil war over here" I was already depressed absorbing this earlier - seeing how the economy crumbles under pressure.

The buffalos I phoned about long forgotten. What was supposed to a refreshing chat sharing our passion for our wildlife and nature, turned into a grim almost ominous goodbye. I could hear he is concerned and that made me nervous knowing him.

The next thing a BLACK GUY was standing in front of me - right under my nose

"Is there another ATM around?" he asked softly, almost as if he did not want the guard to hear. I was with my back to the guard and felt how my hair raises in my neck, sending shivers down my spine. "I never feel safe when they do this", neither did I.

He was professionally dressed, 50, a salesman with one of the wheel and tyre places in the neighbourhood. "Willem, I was the first black salesman in this company" he proudly introduced himself, stretching out his hand - We started to talk.

We were exchanging how things were in the old days - his side - my side - he grew up in a rural area - I grew up on the platteland - Both our families eventually moved to the bigger cities for better job opportunities - Both of us were well groomed in our worlds.

Politics over centuries proved to flow with the money. The same way votes do on empty promises. The irony is it happens time and time again. - I was still engulfed in my sombre social stream of depressive stories, here and there something to smile about.

We cannot wait for politics !

In the frenzy for power, it will rather destroy than to rebuild anything

30+ million don't know what to eat tonight!

The only way out of here is everyone must be able to earn to eat - There is no other - Late last year I was asked to do a study on the DRC - not a good picture - decades of evil surpassing another - raping the women and country from all dignity and hope.

More shocking is how we ourselves are in denial and not looking forward and cooperate and turn things positive. We know all the things that need to be addressed, its right in front of us. Not easy, but let's start with the small positives.

By then the guard and the fidelity van have left and 3 people jumped his queue. I was spellbound with the synergy between us in terms of dream and values - no or little difference between our outlooks and what we hope will turn things around.

Transformation starts with shaking someone's hand you don't' know

Do your part... I'll do mine... Together we have a chance...