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Articles by Mias de Klerk
Discerning leadership - we need more of it, now
Mias de Klerk|Published 3 minutes ago 7min Nelson Mandela provides an illustrative example of a discerning leader, says the author. Image: File It is hardly new news that the world is in a ‘polycrisis’; the causal entanglement of crisis in multiple global systems in ways that significantly degrade humanity’s prospects. In the polycrisis, the world is confronted with a series of intricate and interconnected challenges that are unprecedented in modern history.
What is ‘right’ in human rights?
Just because we have the right to do something does not mean that it is the right thing to do. As William Whewell aptly wrote in Elements of Morality: “A rich man has the right to destroy the harvest of his fields, but to do so would not be right.” In South Africa, our president has the right to sign legislation such as the National Health Insurance Bill once it passes through the appropriate channels, but it does not mean that it is the right thing to do.
To politicians and voters: With freedom comes the responsibility of freedom
This year we celebrate 30 years of democracy, the freedom for all citizens as equals and the end of a despotic government in which only some were free. But, through the years it appears that there is not always a clear understanding of what the term “freedom” means and what it entails. It has two different meanings: 1) freedom from something and, 2) freedom to decide one’s own destiny. Freedom from something refers to aspects such as freedom from oppression and from a despotic government.
Make SA great again: I care enough to keep you accountable Mr President
We have not given up on you yet, Cyril Ramaphosa, but the people need to see real-time decisive action Thank you for supporting the Mail & Guardian This article is for registered members and subscribers. Please register your free account now. Articles with a gold lock next to the title are subscriber exclusive content. Register For your free account The Mail & Guardian is committed to providing all our readers with the best possible experience, please register your free account now.
Freedom Day: I think, therefore I am free
April is the month in which we celebrate freedom, especially the democratic freedom that came with the birth of the new South Africa. Freedom typically encompasses meanings such as self-determination, exemption from despotic control and civil liberty. The apartheid regime restricted and denied these freedoms to the largest part of our population for many years.
Freedom Day – The Mail & Guardian
Why Steve Biko still matters The founder of Black Consciousness kept evolving; by the time of his terrible death he was moving away from hard-line racial isolationism.
The flipside of human rights is responsibilities
Cropped studio shot of a group of women raising their fists in solidarity against a gray background. (Getty Images) The acclaimed psychologist Carl Jung is famous for formulating the concept of the shadow, the less attractive part of our personality, which we often try to ignore or not work with. The shadow self is the darker side of ourselves that we repress or ignore, but still drag behind us as invisible baggage in everything we do.
December 16: The Day of Reconciliation is a call for each individual to heal emotional wounds
If the state of the nation irks you, ask yourself: What must I do to make my environment better? (Reuters/Radu Sigheti) South Africans fell in love with the idea of reconciliation, as if it is something that might magically happen across our nation just because we have a day dedicated to celebrating it.
MIAS DE KLERK: We risk thinking heritage is only about the past and not the future
With the celebration of heritage day, SA’s diverse groups typically celebrate their respective heritages, considering with nostalgia where they come from, their traditions and what is important to them. Celebrating our respective heritages is a beautiful custom and opportunity because there is so much to be proud, including deserving conventions that should be conserved for our children and their children. After all, where we come from has a large determining effect on who we are.
Tolerance: a good start but not sufficient
COMMENT In 1996, the United Nations invited its member states to observe an International Day for Tolerance annually on November 16, aimed at the promotion of a spirit of tolerance and nonviolence globally. Notwithstanding the call for tolerance, we see increasingly high levels of intolerance in South Africa, as well as globally.
Lessons in leadership for Ramaphosa from Madiba, Mbeki and Zuma
Madiba is widely viewed as the father of the nation and the new SA. At the risk of sanctifying Madiba, there is much that Ramaphosa can learn from his leadership style and approach, as well as that of Thabo Mbeki and Zuma after him. Madiba was one of those rare leaders who never aimed to become a leader because of his own aspirations or ego, but stepped into the leadership role because there was a job to be done.
South Africa: Major Change At Work Can Trigger Loss and Grief. Organisations Must Accept This
analysis By Mias De Klerk, Stellenbosch UniversityThere is hardly an organisation in the world - big or small - that doesn't have to adapt to changing circumstances. The pace of development in technology, the quick pace at which new rivals come on the scene, even the rapid turnover of leaders, all require shifts in the way things are done. But it's never easy to steer people through change. And, inevitably, there's resistance.
Major change at work can trigger loss and grief. Organisations must accept this
There is hardly an organisation in the world – big or small – that doesn’t have to adapt to changing circumstances. The pace of development in technology, the quick pace at which new rivals come on the scene, even the rapid turnover of leaders, all require shifts in the way things are done. But it’s never easy to steer people through change. And, inevitably, there’s resistance. So how can organisations manage it in a way that gets them the outcomes they want?
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