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Through My Eyes

Through My Eyes

Author: Kasia Yoko
Date: 2015-09-04
With the world economy stretched and the Chinese powers playing with the global market's emotions, we South Africans must sit tight and ride the storm. Or as our countrymen say it, Vasbyte.

I guess just by looking around its hard to believe that we are heading for an "imminent economic crisis" with those big cranes greeting our visitors to Ballito, who would think that a storm is brewing and it is going to affect us all?

Reading Max Du Preez article, 'Prepare for the coming economic storm' in a daily newspaper last week I couldn't help but get a little anxious.

My father has been warning me about the pending crash for years and even though we have tried to tighten the expenses belt, the reality is that it's just not good enough. We must do more.

And so as the going gets tough we have to toughen up and accept that the world as we know it today is slowly crumbling.

In his article Max Du Preez gives us some sound advise: "How should you and I, the ordinary middle class citizens, prepare for the tough times ahead? It's definitely not a time to live extravagantly or to get deeper into debt. It is time for consolidation and to get one's house in order, financially and otherwise.

At the same time, paralysing negativity and wild prophecies of doom won't help even a little bit. It is time for cool heads and a good understanding of the prevailing dynamics and undercurrents in South Africa's politics and economy.

Unhappiness in one's personal life undermines one's ability to survive trying times. If the boat you're sailing in is without leaks and has a reliable engine, your chances of getting to the other side of the storm in one piece is much greater.

I think people should start paying extra attention to their personal relationships, family life and friendships; they should ponder the ways they relate with their communities and the rest of society; and they should care about their own physical and spiritual health.

But we shouldn't retreat so far into our cosy corners that we desist from having our voices heard and push back against those who are toying with our future, whether they are politicians, mine owners or business leaders."

Many people I know are planning to immigrate. Run away from here. For me running away is a short-term solution with hard soul-destroying results. There truly is no other way but to re-evaluate our financial status, fix what loopholes we can and tread cautiously.

And if you think I'm talking baloney, think again, last month the Bank for International Settlements warned, "The world would be unable to fight the next global financial crash as central banks have used up their ammunition trying to tackle the last crises."

Look, as sad as it seems, most of us have been living large not worrying about tomorrow. I think this a great time to catch a wake up and start saving not just the pennies but also our resources, which like everything else will be hard to come by.

Have a fabulous week everyone! And send me your comments, either via facebook or email thebugle@mweb.co.za