10 Things Black people should be
doing to attain economic freedom
1. Stop doubting themselves
Many Black people have a tendency of
doubting each other and their ability to solve problems, this is a self
defeating attitude that keeps us poor.
2. Start trusting their own ideas
Creativity is at the core of being black,
most things about the black reality inspire creative thinking and ideas, many
of these ideas can solve black people’s problems, with a little trust in our own
ideas we can achieve so much more.
3. Stop looking for a job
The idea that black problems will be solved
by a job is the wrong notion, a job may provide the financial relief
temporarily, however it cannot change a mind-set, which is an area where black
people suffer, our mind-set is geared to believe that we are tools, things to be
used to achieve other people’s goals, this mind-set is what we should change, we
are not tools, we are valuable stake-holders in our society who can bring about
change through our contribution and work.
4. Start valuing their skills
Society does not value our skills,
therefore we are paid to survive not to prosper, many companies pay black
people for their skills relative to perceptions of us. Our skills and
contributions are not as valued as our counter-parts we are like a big discount
store where others can get everything they need for the least amount possible,
we need to start charging accordingly for our skills and stop
under-valuing our contribution.
5. Stop being lazy
There are many opportunities available to
us, in our townships, country and the continent as a whole, we should take a
more active role in the pursuit of our economic freedom and there is no
external messiah that will make us rich from the kindness of their heart.
6. Start taking initiative
Our lack of will-power is the main reason
we are poor post-colonialism. We live in Africa, a 90% black populated
continent, but fail take advantage of
all the opportunities that our counter-parts have been able to, we
complain about a lack of capital but spend millions collectively on retail
goods, cars and alcohol. The next-time
you think about buying that Italian shoe or a BMW, you should think about investing in a business idea to grow your money instead.
7. Stop being consumers
This customer mentality is our biggest
down-fall; shopping is therapy some say. Stop it; we are superficial beings who
value themselves by our possessions, our family and community structure has
eroded because of this materialism. The
world is moving towards creation and producing to serve their communities,
while we are busy flashing the latest I-PHONE
8. Start being producers
We need to respond to the challenges our
communities are facing, work together in changing the mind-set of our people, towards
a more self reliant attitude, this will spark entrepreneurship that will
resolve the high unemployment rate in our communities.
9. Stop begging for opportunities
Hand outs have never solved any problem,
instead of handouts we should be asking for support on already existing
initiatives that we have started, they should find us on our way not at beginning
of our journey, this will communicate our seriousness towards our own economic
freedom.
10. Start creating opportunities
Making money is a simple concept; it is about
finding problems (there are many in our communities), solving those problems
and charging a fair exchange. Once we can all grasp the concept, will be a step
closer to our economic freedom.
Note: A lion will never eat grass, it is not pride it is nature.
Bongani Mabuza #GetCheesy
