Amidst a process of transition or change by Rian Joubert

  • 21 June 2021
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This is not how we can describe the season in which we find ourselves. It makes it even more of a challenge that the world is implementing plans to face the new normal, and it feels as though Africa is constantly busy tripping itself up.

What makes a transition period even more challenging, is the fact that you cannot turn around! Look at what the Covid-pandemic has done to online sales or web meetings. I doubt that shopping malls will change, but the world has realised the comfort of online sales and this way of doing business will certainly continue growing. Meetings which had to be scheduled months in advance to accommodate distance limitations, can now be held by means of a laptop or conference equipment.

It really feels as though we are moving into the next era. Just think of the impact that 9/11 had globally. It was an important point in history. The same can be said about Covid-19. Life will change as a result of certain changes being forced upon us by the pandemic. People's lives changed with the introduction of the internet, and cell phones, for instance.

Transition phases can be very exciting, but it also brings frustration. It often means that you have to leave the safe haven of something that works to embrace something that is better in theory .. but you are not there yet! In the transition process, the process of moving towards the new normal, you will discover that certain changes and adjustments just do not work. When the pandemic hit, most employees were forced to work from home. What a surprise when business continued as normal, people continued to work and companies started looking at cost savings by doing away with offices and allowing employees to work from home permanently.

However, after a few months of stay-at-home employees, company managers started to notice problems. Aspects which were not important before, suddenly became important. Social interaction, emotional well-being of employees and creative energy lacked. Employees who were excited to be working from home, discovered that it was not as pleasant to bring their stressful work environment into their personal lives. 

In terms of a transition period, it is necessary to understand that we cannot continue to function as we did in the past. Difficult matters relating to poverty and the conservation of our environment cannot be solved by merely adjusting old models. A whole new way of doing things is required.  This is one of the reasons for the focus on Elon Musk's electrically powered vehicle, the Tesla. Most large vehicle manufacturers are implementing plans to convert to electrically powered vehicles. The world knows - change is inevitable.

We find ourselves in a time of change.  Although there is a lot of excitement about the imminent changes, we have to make peace with the frustrations and uncertainty that it will bring. This may even continue for a long time to come. Each generation has challenges which it has to face and each generation will be able to bear witness of the good and the bad which arose from the difficult circumstances.
I believe we will experience the same!






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