Category Archives: Personal Development

– Pride and self-gain will be the end of us

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Considering the viciousness and divisiveness of our discourse today, we certainly do not exude the cooperative and increasing human development spirit that prevailed among ancient pioneers of deep thinking and knowledge such as that from Greek philosophy ranging from Thales, Stoics, and Skeptics, among others.

Those ancient philosophers and their scholars never subscribed to the “winner-takes-all” approach common nowadays. They were open to accept or build on the knowledge prior philosophers discovered. To them, it was never about self-gain primarily, but advancement of knowledge and human development.

We rarely see such interactions nowadays. If at all, the lines are drawn and people forced to be on polar sides of the debate, with no side willing to concede some aspects of truth from the other side to combine the best of both sides to develop better and useful knowledge.

Notwithstanding our divergent beliefs, but when considering even ancient authors of the canonical writings of the Old and New Testament Gospels, we can clearly see that those authors have demonstrated constructiveness in their knowledge and writings. None has ever criticized another author’s writings to advance theirs. We need not look further than topical discussions of today to realise that there is extreme divergence of views and hardening of hearts and attitudes towards those holding contrary views. Where did we lose it? By Nimroth Gwetsa, 30 September 2021. Continue reading →

– What is to be done?

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Bakhithi, ziyakhala manje! Awukho umsebenzi! According to the latest StatsSA report, our economy is stubbornly shedding jobs. Kunakele!

Covid-19 issues and lockdown are still with us, and politically, there is too much noise and disunity among people. One wonders what the impact of all these concerns is to the mental health of the population. This is no time for finger pointing but helping to find a solution and lending a hand. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 31 August 2021. Continue reading →

– Be Grateful

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In times like these, it is easy to lament at life for the hardship, setbacks, pain, and sufferings we are experiencing. Our anxiety is heightened, hope is almost lost, and despair is about to set in.

But even in such circumstances, we are alive and have many other things going well for us, yet those good things are not recognised, their value diminished, and much focus is on our inconveniences and lack.

Sometimes we need to appreciate what we have going well for us than our lack. To appreciate the true value of what we have, just imagine what the quality of your life would be if you had what you currently lack and lost all that you currently have and are probably assuming.

Many would rather wish they were dead than go through such life. James Ingram was right, “You never know what you got until it’s over” – Always You, 1993. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 31 July 2021. Continue reading →

– From retail shop assistant to successful business owner

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Remember this name: Mulalo Netswinganani, known fondly as Peace. Peace was an ordinary assistant to merchandisers at Builders Warehouse Fourways more than eleven (11) years ago. His primary role was assisting customers find electricity related products and explaining their application or usage. Unlike other assistants in the store, Peace was not trying to run away from customers by hiding but was eager to assist and advise whenever approached. He was then, though still is, exceptional.

In about 2003, Peace decided to focus on his passion of becoming an electrician and risked all by resigning and opening his company, Mulnet Projects, an electricity, CCTV, security and other residential and small business property installations, maintenance and compliance certification. I am delighted to have shown faith and support in him in his early years by appointing him electrician in my then renovated house. Today, Peace is highly in demand, does exceptionally well and has expanded his business to include off-grid solar power installation.

He remains professional, takes pride in his work and is still customer-centric just as he was as the shop floor assistant many years ago. Stories of people like Peace and the excellence displayed by small companies such as his Mulnet Projects are inspirational and worth publishing so others too could learn from them. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 30 June 2021. Continue reading →

– Make technology your friend

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In my garage is a classic I bought seventeen years ago. For the past few years, it has been parked and not used regularly, but taken out once or so a week to maintain the health of the battery and other moving parts for lubrication and rust prevention. I know many will criticise the soundness of my financial management in keeping such a vehicle. We possibly have a “drug” of some sorts we obsess about, enabling us to be children again. Mine is the love I have for this modern classic.

To avoid having ownership headaches, I have honoured all its annual service maintenance requirements through the dealership of the original-equipment manufacturer (OEM). The move has thus far increased my confidence to have it as an option for any trip I wish to undertake, whether around the corner or over long distance. That my family shares in my confidence is another matter, suffice it to say when the OEM dealership presents me with a bill, I feel like swearing at people in the building, including the state of our governance in the country.

These people are not playing. They do not hesitate to present you with a bill equivalent to a budget of PPEs for a small village of migrant workers! But that is not the main reason for my telling you this story. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 30 March 2021. Continue reading →

– The Risk of Fear

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The COVID-19 era has redefined the way of life and I doubt we will revert to the way of life before the occurrence of the pandemic just as life changed after 911 and is reported to have also done after world wars. We need to accept that the life of mask wearing, sanitisation and social distancing will remain with us for years.

Though many are apathetic still to threats of getting infected as seen from their continued overcrowding interactions without taking prescribed precautions, I would not want to trivialise potential destructiveness of COVID-19.

Apart from President Trump, I am yet to hear from anyone who has been infected by the virus and felt its impact dismissing it as another variant of flu, yet many critics with no prior COVID-19 infection easily make such claims. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 29 December 2020. Continue reading →

– Avoid Business #Friend-zoning like the plague

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In case you did not know, you are fast on the slippery slope to economic ruin if you feel compelled doing something you do not want to do, but are compelled by fear to do it. It does not matter if that fear stems from potential loss of an opportunity or your wish to avoid ruining a relationship. You did not start your business because of fear, for, you risked everything, probably leaving other opportunities with different and better rewards to pursue your business. Why then are you suddenly seized with fear of loss?

Fear is devilish emotional blackmail aimed at ensnaring you so you could deviate from your plans to focus on doing something else that may result in your ultimate failure. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 31 October 2020. Continue reading →

– Choose the #truth always

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Sometimes truthful and integrous life can cause serious unbearable personal and relational pain, ranging from personal isolation, stagnation, bankruptcy, ruined relationships to depression. While acknowledging the seriousness of such problems, their occurrence is often temporary, though it may feel as though years went by when experiencing them.

I do not think those lying their way or trampling on the rights and welfare of others to their advancement enjoy a blissful life in the long run. I want to believe they do not sustainably enjoy peace of mind. Publicly, they may seem to be living a good and peaceful life, but if they were to tell the truth and nothing but the truth, they would admit experiencing longer-term pain in other aspects of their lives, whether directly or indirectly through something or others they care more about.

We need to weigh what matters to us the most, “choose our poison” and stick to it. If it were up to me, I would want everyone choosing life based on truth always and not deceit and pursuit of instant success at the expense of goodness. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 30 September 2020. Continue reading →

– Keep It Simple

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If you want to be dependable, effective and build long lasting profitable relationships, learn to keep “it simple”. Many technocrats make the mistake of trying to prove their sophistication by complicating simple matters. Perhaps they are not doing this to impress. Maybe they want to win by instilling fear and silencing opposition and those proud enough to ask for explanation of jargon used.

Business problem solvers must do their best to keep it simple, for having it any other way will result in strained relationships. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 30 July 2020. Continue reading →

#NewCalendarEra – Where do you stand?

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Without exaggeration, 2020 is a write-off for many, while for some, Covid-19 socio-economic effects may have scuppered their plans, shaken their confidence and beliefs, making them question if they were ready for a new era as envisioned in their new year resolutions. Others may have received a boost from assessing their vulnerabilities and seeing how unprotected economically and financially they are, that the ramifications of the epidemic have encouraged and strengthened their resolve to press ahead with their original 2020 new year resolutions.

If you are not doing anything illegal, there is no right or wrong answer to what you may still or now want to do after restrictions, owing to the epidemic, have been lifted. By Nimroth Gwetsa, 27 June 2020. Continue reading →