Monte Casino, Fourways
Friday, 3 August 2012
The Deputy President of the Republic of South Africa, the chairman, board members and CEO of the Primedia Group, the Lead SA team, our partners from the Independent Group of Newspapers, representatives from government and civil society, colleagues, distinguished guests.
Here we are two years later. It all began about a year or so before the 2010 FIFA World Cup when we as a media organisation started applying our minds as to how we can make a difference and contribute to a better South Africa.
The big question was: How could we continue to build on the spirit and legacy of the World Cup on a national scale. How could we take the positive energy which was around in abundance and ensure that it carried on.
It first started as a Primedia Broadcasting strategy but quickly expanded. When we tabled it at the Primedia Group board, it received their unanimous, immediate and unequivocal support. We thank Paul and Kuben and the board for their on-going support.
After months of research, planning, engagement, debate and discussion, we launched LEAD SA in August 2010. The country was still on a post World Cup high. We needed to maintain and grow the spirit of ubuntu and promote national pride. We needed to stand up and make a difference.
At the same time, it was also critical that we hold our politicians and public officials accountable.
The response to our call to action was over-whelming. Within days, we received a massive response from across South Africa. It was positive, constructive and encouraging, and showed us that we had tapped into a mood of a nation that urgently called for a movement that would lead South Africa forward.
24 months later it is clear we have made a significant mark. According to independent research earlier this year, the LeadSA had already reached over 3 million people in urban areas alone.
Anyone involved in marketing and research will tell this is a phenomenal success. And we’re just getting started!
We will continue to grow this initiative and spread the Lead SA philosophy.
There’s something to be said for anniversaries and birthdays. Whilst they serve as an indicator of time passed, for the majority of humankind they are also an opportunity to reflect. We ponder our efforts magnanimously. We deliberate over our accomplishments. We pore over our regrets and disappointments.
Lead SA is no different. During this time of our second anniversary, there will be a lot said about how far we have come in a relatively short space of time. There will be some back-patting for the wonderful work accomplished. There will also be some denunciation of the notion of Lead SA, and even reproof of how we as an entity, have gone about leading South Africa.
All these views have their place in the South Africa I want to live in, because they attest to a society that wants to engage in the discourse of what would make this country of ours great.
I take comfort in this as proof that South Africans want to get involved. For that is the premise of Lead SA. We call it active citizenship.
Distinguished guests: We need to continue to get across the message to South Africans that they have an active role to play in determining the future of our country, that their individual actions have a direct influence on the kind of society we build, and that in each of one of us is a leader capable of making a difference, however small that difference may be.
If we can continue to use our platforms to inspire this active citizenship, we would have done more than most governments to lead South Africa.
The numerous achievements that adorn our walls, the overwhelming appeals we receive daily from those who want to partner with Lead SA, the positive stories we are confronted with from ordinary people – all these give me courage that this journey Primedia Broadcasting and the Independent group have embarked on is not only right , it is necessary.
We have undertaken to make leaders out of each and every South African.
On this very special occasion the second anniversary, I am very proud to announce a new Lead SA initiative- our “Lead SA Heroes”. This is an initiative to highlight and profile South Africans making a difference.
One of our Lead SA principles is to celebrate and encourage the heart, thereby inspiring others to act and make a difference.
We therefore want to celebrate those South Africans making a difference in the lives of others … and to celebrate those who inspire others to act.
In short, distinguished guests, we want to award active citizenship.
I’m happy to announce that, from today we are starting a monthly “Lead SA hero” award programme – to award individuals who through their actions embody the spirit of Lead SA.
Individuals who stand up and do the right thing.
Individuals who make a difference to South Africa.
We will call on South Africans through our broadcast partners such as Talk Radio 702, 94.5 KFM, 94.7 Highveld Stereo and 567 Cape Talk and also through the various Independent newspaper titles in the Western Cape, Kwazulu-Natal and Gauteng – and though our social media platforms- to nominate their Lead SA heroes.
You too can nominate your own Lead SA heroes by going to our website www.leadSA.co.za. I encourage you to do so when you get back to your desks after this morning’s breakfast.
From those nominated there will be monthly regional finalists selected and profiled on the radio stations and in newspapers.
Next year this time, on Lead SA’s third birthday, we will be announcing the “Lead SA Hero of the year” -the South African who has done the most to inspire and encourage an active citizenship through their actions in Leading SA.
Deputy President, fellow South Africans, I’ve had a look at the futurefact survey 2012 - a sample of nearly 3000 people throughout the country other than in deep rural areas. Here are some interesting statistics:
- 69% believe it is the duty of the media to expose corruption among politicians and business people.
- Corruption is a slippery slope – with 34% saying that if other people benefit from corruption why shouldn’t they.
- Unfortunately xenophobia is rearing its ugly head even worse than before:
- 2006 = 69%
- 2011 = 59%
- 2012 = 72%
- Lead SA propensity:
- 69% believe that small actions on their part can make a difference
- 65% say they would like to get involved in helping things to get better but don’t know how
- 62% indicate they would like to become involved in helping to make the country a better place for all its people.
Ladies and Gentlemen, we have a lot of work ahead of us. These figures say something. We need to all join hands and Lead SA. As we reflect on what we have achieved, let’s see what needs to be done and let’s roll up our sleeves.
Lead SA’s three major areas of focus going forward will include education, road safety, focus on water/the environment and developing leaders.
We will over the next few months also launch a youth committee that will lead some of our activations.
Thank you also to our partners from the Independent Group of Newspapers for their support. Together, we will walk this road…Tony: to you and your team: We value this partnership.
South Africa: We are calling on you to support us on this road to the future. We need to hold government accountable. But we also need to ask ourselves what we can do as individuals and as a collective to creating and leading SA.
I, Terry Volkwyn, therefore pledge to continue Leading SA. Join me in standing up, doing the right thing and making a difference.
I thank you.
♦ End
