South Africa is a gawky 16 year old with an amazing opportunity in 2010 to showcase ourselves to the world.  Most 16 year olds are facing the question of what they want to be when they grow up and for South Africa, as a country, the dilemma is no different.

As a Fairy Godmother helping individuals and companies to get clear on their dreams, goals and visions; I am very cognisant that we have not defined a clear vision for South Africa post 2010 or certainly not one that I, as a South African Citizen, am aware of.  And without a clear vision that can be translated between government, business, civil society and the average man on the street we are in danger of running around like a chicken with its head chopped off.

The 2010 FIFA World Cup has given us a goal as a nation – it has provided the impetus to invest in much needed infrastructure such as roads, it has created jobs and is a brilliant marketing tool for this country to catapult our tourism to even greater levels.  As we herald in the New Year the country is experiencing the positivity, upliftment and energy that comes with  reaching a goal. 2010 is a great year for South Africa, people are saying.

But what vision do we have for this country post 2010?

What is our vision in the areas of education, health, safety, economics, the environment, poverty alleviation etc. etc. etc?

You may think that vision-making and setting goals for this country should be done by the government or big business or other people.  Just not you, right? You may think that coming up with a Vision for South Africa is not your responsibility but if the leadership of this country isn’t going to do it, who will?

In my work as a Fairy Godmother I know that if you defer responsibility in an area of your life, you give up your power and others then determine the outcome in that area. In other words if you don’t have clear direction and goals then you merely float down the river of life reacting to circumstances rather than PROACTIVELY moving in the right direction.

It is the same with a country, at the moment South Africa is a reactive country rather than a proactive one.

Here is a beautiful little picture by one of my favourite illustrators, Edward Monkton – which describes the situation that we find ourselves in perfectly.

Whoever begins to shout the loudest and show some semblance of leadership and vision will attract followers.  One of the people shouting the loudest at the moment is Mr Malema.  Do you want to live in a South Africa in 2020 that has been created out of Julius’s head? Or how about living in the SACP’s vision of South Africa?  Wouldn’t it be better to live in the vision that you have in your head of South Africa in 2020?

We all have best case and worst case scenarios for this country running through our minds, yet we are more likely to bemoan the probability of doom-and-gloom and blame others than actually begin active discussions about a powerful and positive future.

So today, I am taking a stand to be a responsible and active citizen of this country.  As a person who regularly helps individuals and companies create vision, I pledge my skills to this country.

I am responsible for helping to create the vision of this beautiful land that I love and I am starting to do that by creating a Facebook Group called South Africa 2020 where we all as active citizens can begin to dialogue about our POSITIVE and powerful visions and goals for this country and how they can be activated.

Please Join me

I am grateful that in South Africa we have had a Master Manifester, a HUGE visionary and a Daring Dreamer called Nelson Mandela who held on to a vision for 60 years, even though at times it looked like he was failing dismally. And we now get to live in a country alive with possibility because he, in full faith, turned his vision into reality. Thank you Madiba for demonstrating that we ALL have the ability to be EXTRAORDINARY – all we need is a BIG vision and the courage to stand for our dreams despite the circumstances.

After getting back to South Africa a few weeks ago, I came down with a case of the post-holiday blues but very quickly the universe sent the most amazing inspirations into my life some of which I have been delighted to share with you through my most recent blog posts and I will be sharing some more on this blog in the week.

Carmen, who works with me, also spent some time in London recently and last week we discussed that while some people in South Africa have the “jitters” – guess what, it is a worldwide phenomenon. I felt it in the States and Carmen felt it in the UK.

Being back I this country, I am so excited by the wonderful and positive work being done by so many “active citizens”. People who, instead of just grumbling and complaining about the situation, are instead making a contribution to a powerful and positive future. If you want some inspiration from some of our ordinary heroes who are making a difference look at

Justin Foxton from Stop Crime Say Hello;

Derryn Campbell from Awesome SA;

Michelle Korevaar from Spice4Life;

Ian McDonald from SA the Good News;

Martine Schaffer from Home Coming Revolution;

Sarah-Jane Boden from Represent;

Guy Lundy with his Reasons to Believe;

Max and Peter from Heart of Healing;

Nic Haralambous from SA Rocks!;

the organizers of Leader’s Day;

Alan Knott-Craig with his book Don’t Panic

And all the other thousands of South Africans who are contributing to the positive future of this beautiful country that is pulsing with possibility and potential.

What is your contribution to the future of your country?

(I would love to have your comments about your contribution or how people can contribute. Or stories or acknowledgement of other South Africans who are making a differnce to the future of this country through their actions… post a comment below)

What a fabulous day of magic-making of the highest order… this morning I went off to the Opening of Parliament, wearing full Fairy Godmother regalia of wings, wand and of course a BIG pot of Fairy Dust… ready to sprinkle over the Parliamentarians, Ministers and President.

Apart from a bit of fun and making-magic for the country in the year ahead,the bigger point was to ask what I believe is a pivotal question for South Africa. [Read more →]