10 Things Black people should be doing to attain economic freedom

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