At Bruce Whitfield’s book launch, thought leaders tackled a crucial question: What’s the one thing South Africa needs most? The answer? Leadership that drives change and supports the heroes on the ground.
Johannesburg, South Africa (02 October 2024) – Last night, I had the incredible opportunity to attend the launch of Bruce Whitfield’s latest book, The One Thing. As always, Bruce is brilliant in his approach, offering a fresh, thought-provoking premise: If you had the power, even for just an hour, to change one thing in South Africa, what would it be?
Of course, we all know that an hour isn’t enough time to fix the country’s challenges—especially with the complexities of government, public opinion, and political inertia standing in the way. But this book isn’t about quick fixes. It’s about planting seeds, sparking discussions, and inspiring action. And let me tell you, the ideas in this book are nothing short of fascinating—some incredibly inspiring, and others wildly unconventional!
Now, a little confession: Bruce actually asked me to contribute to the book. Yes, I was meant to write a chapter, and I was beyond honoured to be invited. But if you know me, you know I have a bit of a complicated relationship with deadlines. So, unfortunately, I missed the deadline by a week. I even joked with Bruce, “Deadlines are my kryptonite!” Meanwhile, Bruce wrote the entire book in just three months, had it edited, printed, and ready to launch. The man is a machine.
When Bruce asked me what my “one thing” would be to make South Africa better, my initial instinct as the Good Things Guy was to say: more good news. It’s something I’ve been passionate about for years—advocating for positivity and showing how it can uplift people, inspire communities, and shift perspectives. But as I reflected more deeply, I realised that’s just scratching the surface.
The real “one thing” that could make the most impact? Supporting our charities and NGOs like never before.
These organisations are the true unsung heroes of our nation. They feed the hungry, clothe the vulnerable, educate our children, and provide a safety net for those who need it most. They do the work that often goes unnoticed, but it’s vital—especially when the government can’t always meet the needs of its people. If we all rallied behind them, I believe the collective impact would be extraordinary.
But alas, my contribution didn’t make it into the book. One bladdy week late!
I digress.
The evening continued with an unexpected yet riveting conversation between Bruce and Mteto Nyati, the chairperson of Eskom’s board. They discussed Eskom’s ongoing challenges and some of the victories along the way. At first, I found myself wondering why they weren’t focusing on Bruce’s book. But soon, it became clear—they were diving into their own “one thing.”
They spoke candidly about the chaos that loadshedding has caused over the last two decades and how pivotal decisions made back in 2022 have helped keep the lights on for the past six months. For now, at least.
But what truly resonated was their emphasis on leadership—the one thing that makes all the difference. Leadership that is accountable, forward-thinking, and committed to serving the people rather than preserving personal power. When the right leadership is in place, when public and private sectors work together, and when we shift our focus from broken systems to future progress, that’s when real change happens.
The night was nothing short of enlightening, and I’m eager to dive into the many other ideas this book offers. While my “one thing” is still about championing the incredible work of charities, I might add a personal resolution to manage my deadlines a little better too!
To Bruce and everyone who contributed, congratulations! This book is going to ignite some much-needed conversations across South Africa.
One bladdy week late… but hey, we move forward!
by 