What gives you hope? Is hope a choice? Does hope require us to be part of the solution? Or is hope just an empty slogan on a T-shirt?
I've been sitting with these questions after attending three magnificent days of the Franschhoek Literary Festival in the Cape Winelands. It was good for the soul to reconnect with South Africans who are all invested in the future, surrounded by spectacular mountains, brilliant conversations and, of course, incredible wine.
If I had to summarise the three days in one tweet, it would be this: "South Africa has many problems – load shedding, crime, corruption and poverty, to name a few. But we have brilliant people who are plotting a better future. It has always been five minutes to midnight in this country; let's not waste a good crisis and be part of the solution rather than talking yourself into a perpetual state of depression."
The festival is an annual highlight in my calendar. It brings together authors, writers and thinkers from all spheres and genres to help the audience reflect, think and dream. This year was no different, with magnificent sessions - like the launch of I Am Ella, Joanne Jowell's brilliant book about Auschwitz survivor Ella Blumenthal, who turns 103 this year and wowed the audience with her stories of resilience and hope.
Jonny Steinberg, arguably our best non-fiction writer, launched his internationally acclaimed Winnie & Nelson: Portrait of a Marriage. The book, called an "outstanding biography" by the Financial Times, chronicles the complicated relationship between the Mandela husband and wife in a way it's never been written before. Steinberg is a national treasure.
Lawyer Bulelwa Mabasa discussed her outstanding book, My Land Obsession: A Memoir, with Koketso Sachane, detailing the very personal impact of land dispossession on her family and the impact it had on her life.
Around every corner and coffee shop I bumped into world-class authors, like Etienne van Heerden, Michiel Heyns, Joanne Joseph, Margie Orford, Sue Nyathi, Zapiro, Mandy Wiener, Pumla Dineo Gqola and Antjie Krog. It was a timely reminder of the abundance of talent this country has produced in the world of writing.
The quality of discussion, debate and reflection was outstanding. It was a great reminder that we are at our best when we sit or stand and talk about issues affecting our personal and public lives. This country has never shied away from a great debate and that is something to celebrate.
I left Franschhoek under no illusion about the enormity of the issues we face: the threat of instability and lawlessness if the economy doesn't grow and create more jobs; the fragility of our democracy if populists and demagogues manage to win the day at next year's elections; the threat to our livelihoods (and sanity) if load shedding deepens and ideology gets in the way of energy solutions; and the perilous slide into a mafia state if the police and National Prosecuting Authority don't find swift solutions to remove the kingpins and dons of these syndicates from our streets.
Here are some of the green shoots I picked up on the streets of Franschhoek.
Probably the most exciting and impactful development is the real prospect that load shedding may be a thing of the past in 18 to 24 months. I've heard this from a few people in the know, who have the government's ear and are actively involved in the renewable energy sector.
The speed and verve with which renewable energy projects are being rolled out and constructed will be a game-changer for our future, I'm told. Some of the world's largest solar plants will be in South Africa. Although it's a while down the road, and we are at a very cold winter's door, it gave me hope to know there is a light at the end of the load shedding tunnel.
On the political front, I'm told there are serious moves afoot to bring the centre of our politics together and build some form of united front ahead of next year's elections.
It's still unclear to me what shape or form this will take, but I believe Democrats across all party lines, who recognise the urgency of our deep service delivery problems, are talking about finding a stable, sustainable solution after the 2024 election.
For what it's worth, I was part of a good number of discussions over the weekend, where historic supporters of the ANC and the DA were in complete agreement that it's time for the cool, logical heads in both parties to sit around a table. Watch this space.
Lastly, I was reminded of the enormous amount of citizens, academics, lawyers, activists and community leaders who actively participate in the state of our nation and simply won't walk away when power is being abused. The latest example is Gun Free South Africa's class action against the police for the over 2 000 stolen police guns used in crimes, and Whistleblower House's pivotal efforts to support whistleblowers who lose their livelihoods when they speak truth to power.
We will continue this discussion on the state of the nation and what each of us can do to return South Africa on a path of growth and prosperity at News24's On the Record summit in Cape Town on Thursday.
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