“We can change the world and make it a better place. It is in your hands to make a difference.” – Nelson Mandela
By Dr Vusi Shongwe
ONE of South African broadcasting’s reassuring and pioneering voices, Ayanda Msweli, is one of our household’s famous traffic anchors. His friendliness, self-deprecating sense of humour, and lack of pretence of any kind have endeared him to millions of South Africans.
He is a natural man. That's why he is liked and trusted. He is very calm, cool, and collected; a very good ad-libber; very calm in any crisis; has a good voice; and is intelligent. A voice that is used by SABC to alert both commuters and motorists about traffic incidents and alternative routes that could be used to circumvent traffic obstruction.
In short, when traffic starts to clog the roads, when there is a significant traffic problem, the naturally charismatic Msweli broadcasts to notify the public by advising it to take alternate routes or whatever.
Msweli is truly a giant in his field. He is engaging and welcoming; his social skills and his friendly and outreaching persona are hallmarks of his life. He has an unflappable authority and credibility that serve motorists well in difficult times. He possesses a passion for life, a curious, deft intellect, and an unceasing perseverance that drives his considerable achievements in his time as a servant for the people.
I suspect that once in a millennium, God delivers to the world someone like Msweli. As tremendously nuanced as he is, especially regarding his philanthropic crusade, there are three qualities about “Ingwenya,” as Tshatha Ngobe, the famous uKhozi FM presenter, affectionately calls Msweli, that immediately come to my mind.
First, Msweli has a special expansive vision to see further into the nature of the human condition than any person of our time. He understands the history of humanity that lays the groundwork for the social construction of our present world, and he is working to change it. He has a timeless and dimensionless ability to understand our true human purpose and clarity and urgency for forward-facing action.
Second, his sense of compassion is limitless. The word itself comes from the Latin ‘‘passio’’ meaning to suffer. Thus, the word compassion means “to suffer with” another person, to understand it and feel it; however, more importantly, to be called to action because of it. An action that we learn from Msweli to be a commitment to accompaniment.
Lastly, Msweli is uniquely able to bring out the “better angels of our nature”. One always feels better after he or she has been with better about oneself, better about the world, and better about the future. With his white philanthropic bucket and his kneeling-down trademark, Msweli reaches people inside their souls to link them to our shared humanity. He instinctively understands what Mother Teresa once said: “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.’’
Msweli nudges our consciences and reminds us that we belong to each other and inspires us to do more, always, and for everyone. This is part of Msweli’s exceptionalism. He has developed strong, meaningful friendships with everyone.
Irving Berlin said: “Life is 10 percent of what you make it and 90 percent of how you take it.” We can quibble with the percent distribution, but it captures a spirit reflected in Msweli’s personality. He is always optimistic. He treats everyone with respect and tries to put them at ease. who worked directly with him as we were privileged to do. We are lucky enough to get his wisdom and advice in more concentrated doses than most.
Msweli lives his life with a quiet purpose, placing high value on family, faith, community service, and friendships. His life’s work was a testament to his belief in the significance of creating a better living environment for everyone. He is a gregarious character who does not struggle in letting people know what he is thinking. This matter-of-fact approach, combined with a dry wit, has garnered respect and endeared him to so many people. As a teacher and mentor, he is patient, respectful, supportive, and unselfish.
Not only is he a source of inspiration to many South Africans; he is held in great reverence and respect. He has an exuberant and refreshing sense of humour and always enjoys telling a good story. He is unpretentious and never picks up a fancy lifestyle. He leads a very simple but focused life.
Msweli is a dedicated worker, a critical analyst, and a tireless seeker for new questions and answers. If one looked for a new employee in his or her company, Msweli would be the person one could give a chance to prove himself. He would surely say that you overestimate him, but after a short period of time, you would be able to see that he is the right person for the job. He always exhibits a professional collegiality, which allows him to navigate complex terrains.
Msweli’s life is characterised by an uncommon kindness and humility that disguises a sophisticated worldliness; he is respected and loved by his colleagues and the country at large. In fact, he is held in the highest esteem by all who know him as a man of convictions and honesty.
Msweli is a rare combination of someone who has a love of life and a firm understanding of what is important—the simplicity of living a life with those you love. Msweli’s life motto is “life is about people”. He lives life with a lens that always emphasises the good in others.
He is a deep friend to many individuals and is known for his kind smile, his soft demeanour, and his warmth. In fact, he has a deeply rooted compassion for all. He lives the ideal that each one is on this earth to make it a better place. He is simply the ultimate mensch. A fine and genial colleague and a serious and thoughtful social activist who pursued his mission of making a difference in a less fortunate fellow vigorously and indefatigably.
What I like about him is that he has no difficulty in expressing his opinions. His interests are wide and varied, and conversation is his forte. He can carry on a discussion with a stranger as if he has been acquainted with him all his life. I also like his complete disdain for self-promotion. His contribution to the general area of Christian ethics would have been sufficient to establish his reputation as a leading theologian of our time. His wise counsel drawn from the great book is always spot on.
The issue of how and why individuals elect to offer their help to others is a topic that has puzzled philosophers and economists since the “dawn of antiquity”. This might be overstating the case, but nevertheless, over the past one hundred years, several approaches have emerged from the economic, clinical psychology, social psychology, anthropology, and sociological perspectives attempting to address this issue.
It is only comparatively recently, however, that marketing's contribution to “giving” has been recognised, and a succession of authors have now demonstrated its utility. However, in the case of Msweli, his philanthropic spirit is anchored on the noble idea of uBuntu, which is at the centre of his crusade to assist the needy.
Msweli is a nurturer and, as important, a goad. If his conscience would not permit him to leave a disturbing problem unattended, he would not allow those who resolve the problem peace till they attend to that specific moral dilemma. Every government or organisation needs and deserves a long, sharp stick in the hands of a warm, gentle, and sensitive man.
* Dr Vusi Shongwe works in the Department of Arts and Culture in KwaZulu-Natal and writes in his personal capacity.
** The views expressed here do not reflect those of the Sunday Independent, Independent Media, or IOL.