We all at times have a sense of ENTITLEMENT COMPLEX at varying levels for various reasons?

“When we replace a sense of service and gratitude with a sense of entitlement and expectation, we quickly see the demise of our relationships, society, and economy.” 

~ Steve Maraboli ~

What is a 'sense of entitlement'? 

An entitlement is the right to a particular privilege or benefit, granted by law or custom. However in a more critical sense, usually when one has a sense of entitlement, that means that person believes he/she deserves certain privileges and they are usually very arrogant about it. On a much broader context the term "culture of entitlement" suggests that many people now have highly unreasonable expectations about what they are entitled to.

When I was growing up perhaps the first time I felt entitled to anything was the time I became part of a group. As kids we tend to like what other kids have usually something that we may have come across for the first time, in such situations one tended to either take that item by force not because we understood we were being selfish but because we wanted to have more time with it to ourselves. It would only be through the wise intervention of older individuals that one would then be taught the importance of sharing, asking and borrowing. However this was not always the case with every child, depending on each child's family backgrounds in terms of wealth other kids would go home and demand their parents buy them that item or where parent's realise the conflict being caused by the item they would take it upon themselves to buy the item for their child and to those less fortunate they would find themselves stealing all because of that sense of entitlement that they also deserved what others had.

As we grow older our sense of entitlement also increases. We begin to exhibit certain emotions like anger, impatience, cynicism, resentment, criticism, ingratitude and disappointment.

Our generation is living in an information age where so much is shared across the internet. We are in essence an angry generation. In our social interactions it only takes so little to spark road rage, most youth are easily influenced to taking part in various forms of violence, and all sorts of other forms of aggression. If we look at the levels of unemployment of youth out there we will understand why they are angry today, perhaps for many other reasons, not the least of which is that sense of entitlement. Think about it: if we are taught we will get a job after finishing school we'll naturally feel entitled to a job after school, and if we don’t get one, we become angry and frustrated.

They say patience is a virtue, is it? Anyone notice how we have become an impatient generation, how we expect things quickly (perhaps influenced by a celebrity culture)… and entitlement only compounds the issue. When we feel entitled to something, we tend to be less patient with people and have that drive to get what we want—now—because we feel we equally deserve it. Our reaction is we become demanding of others and abrupt in our interactions with them.

Our sense of entitlement is often followed by mild forms of cynicism(mistrust of people's motives). This boils down to not getting what we think we deserve, which in turn can create a negative, jaded attitude in us. This is probably more common with adolescents who have always been a bit cynical. Part of it is being aware of what’s available and realising they don’t have it all is what fosters cynicism.

One other example is in political environments where freedom and justice are not enforced by law. When we are conscious of something out there that we don’t own but feel we deserve, it can cause severe resentment [lack of patriotism]. This destructive attitude can fuel hatred in any group of people and lead to negative behaviors as well. Instead of focusing on the few positives, we can become bitter and retrogressive.

There's no doubting we have a good number of disgruntled citizens who feel entitled to better forms of government, but have not got it up to now, most tend to embrace a “sour grapes” posture and are rejecting almost everything that the government tries to offer as solutions. I'm sure we have all at some point noted how some can criticize those who benefited from the system as a coping mechanism.

On a much broader context, gratitude and entitlement are polar-opposite emotions. When we are grateful, we feel that sense of appreciation when get what we want badly but remain aware of what it felt like without it. However, when we feel entitled and don’t get it, all we feel is ungrateful. Once again, we feel we deserve something we are forced to live without.

When I began my working career in government I worked hard and expected to be promoted based on my consistent effort. Somehow I felt I was entitled to get promoted after having done well in most aspects of my role but sadly failed to get it because of fast tracking process that favoured a certain group of individuals with war credentials that was put in place by government. I think from that moment onwards I began to experience what one could call chronic disappointment. I was sad and despondent over the perks I was going to miss out on and became depressed until I left my job.

Back to our politics and social structures. Most individuals when they excel academically and socially they also develop that strong sense of entitlement in terms of being given respect by family and society for their accomplishments, perhaps the top down approach in developing most institutional frameworks is also largely influenced by that sense of entitlement besides the 'fact' that academics and technocrats are generally more informed about process and policy areas.

On a cultural aspect I am sure we have all come across individuals who attempt to justify their leadership abilities based on their traditional bloodlines like is the case with the South African Royal family and Swazi King and even the British Royal Family. We also tend to hear justifications based on family history, like the Goven Mbeki and Thabo Mbeki, Jomo Kenyatta and Uhuru Kenyatta and even the Kennedy's in the USA and the Bush family. These are all driven in one way or another by a sense of entitlement or perhaps is it just a case of inheritance where popularity and sometimes wealth determines the political success stories of future generations? We even have the revolutionary party references used as an justifications to entitlements to govern countries, so how do we kill this culture of entitlement without being rigid about individual abilities and capabilities?

I am grateful.
I am hopeful and optimistic.
I can delay gratification.
I am at peace because I see the big picture.

We owe it to the emerging generation to escort them out of this destructive attitude. A sense of entitlement is an enemy of happiness and healthy thinking.

Politics is a part of our lives

"In philosophy, one of the main reasons Plato opposes the democratic regime is precisely that it engenders apathy among the citizenry"

Perhaps the real challenge in politics is not so much the term 'POLITICS' but the concept and meanings of all the complex phrases and terminology used that confuse and further manipulate society's perspective of what a working system of governance should be like.

What I have learnt to understand based on my own perspective when analysing the differing socio-economic and political environments across the globe, is there seems to be a systematic attempt by a group of influential individuals to tactfully deceive the public out of fear they may be labelled as failures whose promises are frequently supported by never ending excuses for non-delivery of promised election manifesto's.

The natural reaction from the ordinary man and woman in the street is to 'complain' or 'blame'  as they seek affirmation from their fellow citizens at home, work and community gatherings about their observation which is probably a natural human instinct. However if we look at this issue more closely how many ordinary men and women actually know how to progress their feelings of disappointment so that they produce the responses they expect from those they elected to positions of authority? In many countries not just Africa are members of society aware of the process and procedure to hold politicians and those working in public institutions for their decisions and actions? I personally would not have known had I not done my own research in my quest to understand politics and its relationship with society. 

Since time memorial politics and politicians have never been popular, nor are they destined to be any time in the immediate future. That sounds generalised but a disappointing but inevitable fact of life, in Zimbabwe it is one hardened by the election rigging, tribalism, racism, nationalism, corruption and general all-purpose promise breaking by the same crop of politicians from the liberation era still bent on revenge and retribution for colonial oppression and white supremacy.

There is no doubting that perhaps the kind of politics prevalent in Zimbabwe is one born from a violent liberation struggle and one whose objectives have failed to transform the liberation party to a more compassionate and people centred political institution focused on addressing the imbalances of economic colonialism brought about by neo-colonial tentacles inherited from the Rhodesian capitalist system which has become a global system that has seen the gap between the rich and poor rise to unimaginable proportions (I'm not saying a Socialist approach is better but Capitalism needs some form of moderation). But if we’re to aspire to, perhaps, politics being less hated, or even being respected as a means of changing our country, then there are some ways in which we do our politics that are going to have to change.

Electoral Reform has become a popular phrase with not much value to it at the moment as the ruling party Zanu PF continues to down play it as a trivial element in the political playing field for their survival and continued domination in Zimbabwe politics. Much as they would like to delay this key process needed for the country's political development and growth, it is after all a constitutional prerogative that should at some point be pursued to ensure laws are realigned to the new National Constitution.

I would also like to see the review of the Political Parties funding Act to take to account the current challenging economic environment that's making it almost impossible for opposition parties to sustain their activities, be it capacity building and voter education in their target Constituencies. The political party registration process also needs to be put in place so that only new parties that can prove they have an agreed number of people registered as members can officially register as political party's capable of contesting in elections. There should be a Political Fund created whose funds should be drawn from members of the working class similar to the way the Social Fund is managed but in this case run independently but monitored by a committee made up of representatives of all political parties.

Any party that wins more than 5% of seats in parliament would have their manifesto audited by the same independent Electoral Commission, so there would be a transparent system to ensure such a Fund is used according to legislated guidelines. This would also help members of the public assess which political party is likely to manage national resources more effectively when in government.

Considering the economy is the battleground on which the next election will be fought, having a better informed electorate sounds pretty damn reasonable and uncontroversial. Is it any wonder that voting levels in the by election were down, that trust in politics is through the floor and faith in the power of government to change Zimbabwe is on the wane, when the government won’t allow proper debate about our politics, and is busy selling the countries resources to those countries who care less about human rights violations for is own political relevance?

A never ending nightmare to all peace loving Zimbabweans, and a plague that each and every citizens inside and outside the country should come together and start cleaning up. Quickly. Because if 'WE' do not do it, we should not expect external forces to do it for us, for they always have their own agenda.

The Zimbabwean Worker

May Day (May, 1)

"Celebrated by workers around the world as an expression of their international solidarity and shared political aspirations for freedom."

Today I honour all Zimbabwean workers in the country and those who chose to migrate out of the country in search of better socio-economic and political enviroments.

With increasing emphasis towards financial bottom lines, social justice, public trust, civic responsibilities and the criteria for success of individual life in this world and in hereafter are frequently put a side. Performance, quality and customer satisfaction are viewed in terms of their impact to financial and economic outcomes only. This has created an imbalance in the life of the working classes versus the minority wealthy elite classes resulting in the growing gap between rich and poor.

Some of it is caused by ignoring personal, family and social aspects and increasing emphasis towards financial bottom lines is the reason there exists this imbalance in the life of the workers at all levels. The result is stress in life, conflicts in family, social distortion, deteriorating performance and low productivity. To overcome this, work-life balance is necessary which is not a recommendation but a Divine order.

The recent xenophobic attacks in South Africa and the growing calls manifesting themselves through the politicisation of migration in more developed countres is a clear sign of the challenges being faced by workers across the world who have been betrayed by misgovernance and growing greed fueled by an unmoderated capitalist pyramid system that consistantly rewards the most wealthy most.
The worst victims of this severe decline of opportunity are low-wage workers themselves. To earn one's own way in order to meet a decent living standard, afford children, and share in community life is essential to one's sense of self-worth. To know the satisfaction of employment, its challenges and learning experiences, and the personal development that comes with mastering jobs is also one of life's basic skills.

Such dependency and removal from the economic mainstream means a loss of integration with society, which is another basic need for a socially progressive environment.This damages the rest of society as the idleness, deprivations and disaffection of the victims leads to health problems, violent behaviour and crime rates. counter-cultures spring up that put violence above the law, corruption over hard work, family over career, being over doing. this simultaneously means tax payers must pay for tax revenues not generated, the health bills not paid and the outlays for damage control without helping solve the underlying problem.

The roots of the malfunctions we see in Zimbabwe are structural and not just monetary.The only way forward would be to have a sweeping political bargain to fix the malfunction. The scale the problem has attained to date makes feasible a radical solution in place of the diffuse and marginal reforms (constitutional) that, correctly or not, have seemed largely ineffectual so far.

It's not yet Uhuru fellow citizens ony we together can change our own enviroments.

"Tisu vanhu vacho! Yithi abantu bakhona! We are the people!"

My recent trip to Africa [Feb - April 2015]

Meeting Zimbabweans working and resident in Cape Town South Africa.

My trip to Africa gave me the opportunity to put a face to the name. Facebook and Whatsapp are very good networking tools if utilised in a productive manner.

It's nice to exchange ideas and views on here but nothing beats face to face meetings, this photo is when I met fellow Zimbabweans from Cape Town and Western Cape over the weekend.

There's was lot of energy and enthusiasm that I felt when we started sharing the challenges and possible solutions to address them. There is certainly hope for a better Zimbabwe if we can all come together and start transforming our words to practical achievable outcomes.

In the words of my good old friend Taurai Brighton Muluswela " If we can do the little things right, the bigger challenges will be much easier to resolve". One has a better understanding of issues that people from diverse backgrounds have when conversations like these take place, it has more impact than standing in front on a podium and dishing out ones thoughts to a crowd of people.

Nation building is about shared responsibility and complimenting each other where we have weakneses, our differences are our strengths if channelled in an organised manner.I have found the most complicated thing about leadership as not leading but identifying capable leaders who have the ability and capability of taking responsibility for their own actions and decisions.

I spend most of my free time engaging with the community, which may not seem like a typical approach of leadership development, but it has been embraced by a few organisations globally that have found it to be an effective alternative channel to develop leadership skills amongst corporate and business leaders.

Meeting Zimbabweans working and resident in Johannesburg

The concept of developing leaders through community service involves taking employees in a business environment whom I identify as potential future leaders and making them lead a community project out of their comfort zone, with the main intention of honing their leadership abilities.
Much as this sounds straight foward, I have found it's hard to find Zimbabweans willing to leave their comfort zones which are driven by a capitalist individualist culture that focuses first on self-interest before any consideration is made to work for a greater good.

In fact, taking on leadership roles in the community arena might be a tougher ground to develop true leaders. It is a test of leadership not by position, title or authority. It is a test of leadership through influence, trust, credibility and service.

Most Zimbabweans are very good at identifying problems and expressing their frustrations about lack of viable solutions but equally so not many can transform their words to practical measurable outcomes.

I used to think its the enviroment on the ground but I've recently been there to experience it myself and as I see it we cant blame anything or anyone but ourselves.

Its probably one of the many reason Mugabe has struggled to bring development to the country its not easy identifying men and women of intergrity who are principled and can work to agreed targets, most are there to take advantage of their positions of influence and few if any can work for a greater good.

Unless we have changed attitudes I fear we will be stuck in a cycle of blame and critical analysis with nothing coming out of the shared persepectives.

As a nation we need to look at our differences as strengths that we should use to compliment each other where we are weak. There's no one who knows everything and can please everyone, however when we listen more than we talk, there's a much greater chance of building bridges of understanding.

Meeting Seed Kafesu Johannesburg.

The glaring reality is everyone is a leader in their personal life, and true leadership appreciates the tolerance that comes from those patient enough to give others an opportunity to share their ideas on how best we can make our environments a much better place to live in.

Without the above there can be no unity of purpose. We can't all be leaders but we can share the responsibilities that help build strong families, communities, nations and a better global society.


My doors are open for those ready to face the unknown future and are tolerant enough to accept differing opinions and embrace new ideas that have not been put to test.

For me true leadership grows out of an attitude of service to others. If we can cultivate this leadership attitude in our aspiring and current crop of leaders, they will be making a difference for many years to come, changing their world and ours!