PERSPECTIVES

The three Cs

Let me start by saying that when experienced individuals are asked for advice that may serve as guidance to those just starting out in their careers, it may give the impression that those giving input have it all figured out.

I certainly don’t. I still have a lot to learn. I’m figuring things out as I move through life. But I will emphasise the three Cs: choices; compassion and curiosity.

CHOICES

I had an epiphany while I was studying abroad. While working hard at my career dreams, I had been on a string of highly disappointing blind dates. It dawned on me that I could not expect the same results in my personal life if I did not choose to invest as much of myself in relationships as I had been focusing on professionally. It was an important lesson for me.

Tessa van Staden

COMPASSION

This is a value and a form of love that I hold very dear. Of course there have been times when I wasn’t compassionate or when I judged too quickly or became impatient or let anger rule a response. Overall, however, I want to be more compassionate with others and also with myself. We all deal with so much, even more so if you’re working in a fast-paced environment like media in a developing country with ongoing, daily life-and-death challenges.

CURIOSITY

The wonderful thing about being in the media is that we get to tell stories. But sometimes those stories weigh heavily on us and we become despondent. When I realise I am in a creative slump I need to find inspiration, not only to do my job but also to fuel myself.

Tessa van Staden is station manager of CapeTalk.

The gift of understanding

We’ve all probably heard the sayings “Hindsight is 20/20”, “In hindsight everything

is much clearer” or my personal favourite, “Life is lived forwards and understood backwards”.

They’re all true. However, as I’ve moved forward with my life, I have learned the wisdom of pausing, reflecting and accepting that everyone I meet or encounter is my personal teacher in this life school called earth. The season of Covid-19 has taught me to enjoy every moment, including the tough and challenging ones, because those are life’s greatest gifts. Coming from a fear-based background and history of exclusion, yet operating in a ‘culture-defining’ profession of communications, media, marketing and advertising, I now know for sure that inclusion is liberation. It’s an act of true love and openheartedness from which real seeds of growth and development (socially Boniswa Pezisa and economically) germinate, grow and thrive – thus my deep belief in the principle and value of inclusion and oneness.

My guiding principles and values are: • Being an activist of what is right and good • Networking with purpose and a positive intention • Seeing curiosity as empowerment • Collaborating with love is rewarding • Understanding setbacks are the mother of my reinvention and stepping stones to my next best things.

Boniswa Pezisa is executive director of Mediology.