President-Elect, Barack Obama

I will like to take this moment to congratulate the American President Elect, Barack Obama for becoming the first Black American President. History in the making I must say. Now, the American will know where Africa is situated.

I am feeling the vibe in Chicago right now, and reminds me of the time Nelson Mandela was released from prison. What a feeling of joy and happiness. Even though Obama has a tough task that awaits him, I believe we are going to see a change in the American history, whether good or bad but since I am an optimistic young lad, I believe it will be a good one. Over and out..... l8r.

Where have I been...? (",)

I have been neglecting this space for the past two months. Wow, it has been so long. I sort of got disinterested in writing, but by the looks of things I am recovering my thaumaturgy. Work has been keeping me busy and the global financial crunch has not been making it easy at work. For starters, the company retrenched 10 people and the campaigns aren't doing that well; that means more work and micro-managing of ones work in order to meet the prespecified benchmarks. It is hard do but Aluta Continua... There is no other way.

The good side is that I have made few interesting friends and I am looking forward to going home in few weeks, wow, being with my family is what keeps me going for now. I am also planning not to come back to Cape Town next year. That means? Goodbye the coast and hello high veld. Away from the horrid and pretentious people I met here.

I have so many resolutions lined up for next year and I can't wait to execute them, I am so chuffed, but for now, I have to live the ones I made this year. Some did not pin out but I am commoved by the ones I've achieved. I still have time to rectify the mistakes.

For example, just to name few:

• I happen to have four most important people in my life, Tshidiso, Monde, Tumelo and Chris.
• I have a very loving and supportive family structure, they have never judged me in whatsoever.
• My career, which I believe the best is yet to come. I have learned a lot in a year that I have been working.
• And waking up this morning and be informed that Barack Obama has taken the lead in the Presidency college elect votes, that made my day. One black man who is ready to enter the white house and make it his home. His motto " We can" and "Change is what we need". America has now being blessed with two big O's; Oprah and Obama. Ooh Lord bless America for not judging Obama by his skin color but by the content of his character.
  

I have seen some people that I know claiming that they have changed for the better but still require other people's confirmation, rather trying to convince themselves that they have changed. A tiger never change its spots. Nomakanjani, unless you are hypnotized and made to forget the "old" you. Well, good luck to them.

OK, I am starting to talk shit now. Let me bounce out of here. L8r...

What could be wrong?

Nothing actually. I have decided to emancipate my mind form mental thralldom and pay homage, concentrate on my work and make my career blossom. I have not been writing a lot lately... but I will put something up soon.

Yello OBZ....

I had a very weird but exciting weekend. Yeah, I moved out of Pinelands finally. I now no longer have to worry about them snobbish white folks looking at me when I go or come back from work. They probably asked themselves if I was a thief or looking for a gardening job. Well, I now moved to Observatory, love my place, it is so cozy and it accommodates me and best of all, I am sharing it with me, myself and I. You know what does that mean right? Well, if not then you need to work on your thinking abilities.

My big sister Lesego and her friend, Nozi came to visit on Saturday and I was glad they came. On Sunday, I just decided to have my usual time all by myself but I craved for a glass of wine so badly. The other thing that I love about my place is that I only get to walk for 10 minutes before I get to work, no more waiting for the flipping train for an hour before I can get to work. I just love it OK. Well, let me get back to work before I get fired.

Nelson Mandela's six tips of Leadership

Courage is not the absence of fear – it’s inspiring others to move beyond it.

Mandela was often afraid during his time underground, during the Rivonia Trial that led to his imprisonment, during his time on Robbin Island.

“Of course I was afraid,” he later confessed. “It would have been irrational not to be. I can’t pretend that I’m brave and that I can beat the whole world.

“But as a leader, you cannot let people know. You must put up a front.”

Lead from the front – but don’t leave your base behind.

Mandela initiated negotiations with the apartheid government. His reputation was on the line. He went to each of his comrades in prison and explained what he was doing.

Slowly and deliberately he convinced them that negotiations were the route to go.

Lead from the back – and let others believe they are in front.

Whenever he held meetings with his colleagues, Mandela would allow them to speak while he listened attentively – only after they had all spoken would he speak.

It is wise to persuade people to do things and make them think it was their own idea.

Know your enemy – and learn about his favourite sport.

As far back as the 1960s Mandela started learning Afrikaans. Everyone from ordinary jailers on Robben Island to PW Botha were impressed by Mandela’s willingness to speak Afrikaans.

Keep your friends close – and your enemy closer.

Mandela believed that embracing his rivals was a way of controlling them; they were more dangerous on their own than within his circle of influence.

Mandela also recognised that the way to deal with those he didn’t trust was to neutralise them with charm.

Appearances matter – and remember to smile.

Mandela understood the historical correlation between leadership and physicality. He understood how his appearance could advance his cause.

As a leader of the ANC’s underground armed wing, Umkhonto weSizwe, he insisted on being photographed in fatigues and with a beard. Throughout his career he has also been concerned about dressing appropriately for his position. – Source: Time and Leadership magazines.