South Africa has its fair share of corruption, fraud and crime, in fact we most probably have more than our fair share. Let’s take the example of Brian Molefe and the elusive Saxonwold Shebeen.
According to Thuli Madonsela’s report 44 phone calls were made to the Guptas by Brian Molefe in addition to which there is electronic evidence of his regular presence at the Gupta home. Now unless he is the family’s official party planner, I cannot think of any reason other than some serious business deal that could warrant that amount of contact between two associates in such a short space of time.
So clearly the Saxonwold Shebeen was supposed to be a smokescreen. A quick excuse trying to cover his tracks. But why? Simply because realisation has hit that things are going pear-shaped. Why in itself is that a problem, as we all make mistakes? Why not just keep quiet and wait to see what facts emerge? In my opinion it can only be ego. Ego as opposed to essence.
It is the ego that has us defending the indefensible. It is when we are operating from our heightened ego state that we make the worst possible long term decisions. Ego stops us looking at the world, our options and alternatives from a critical viewpoint; ego leads to greed, dismissal, defensiveness, even lies and deceit. It becomes an impenetrable steel casing that covers our essence.
Essence, a balance of mind, body and soul helps us to make wiser decisions. From a business perspective essence would allow for more sustainable people and planet orientated decision making and it would allow us to see accountability and responsibility as a gift rather than a burden, Essence helps us to live with purpose.
When we are caught up in and caught up by ego it is definitely time for reflection. There is still time to redeem ourselves, not for others, but for us. It is never too late to find true purpose in life. We are so often at war with ourselves. Facing this internal conflict is the biggest gift we can give to ourselves and the world in general.
© Debbie Engelbrecht is the MD at Staff Training. A national soft skills and leadership development company that utilises amongst others one of the leading global leadership development tools, the Enneagram, to assist with development of self-mastery thereby empowering corporations in their ethical pursuit of People, Planet and Profit.