Many South Africans are stressed, anxious and fearful with mounting concerns about the negative impacts on their lives — the security of their income, the safety of their families and their and their children’s futures, of state failure, corruption and irrational government policies.
Engaging the challenges in a world where power-hungry, corrupt, black-and-white thinking and ideological fundamentalist leaders, who are astonishingly incompetent, irrational and narrow-minded, shape the trajectory of our already uncertain country and world tests our mental well-being.
Though the government of national unity (GNU) has eased some anxieties that the government may finally start to make sensible decisions to deal with complex challenges, the world outside South Africa — with seemingly intractable wars in the Middle East, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, and military governments, autocratic liberation movements and personal rule in African neighbours — heightens fears.
The new digital age brings troubling news, unfiltered and immediate, from home and abroad to us on our mobile devices. In the past, such news would have come through newspapers and radio and television bulletins.
Social media algorithms often constantly send one narrow-minded, ideological, violent, prejudiced and tribalist content with which one does not agree
Worse, social media algorithms often constantly send one narrow-minded, ideological, violent, prejudiced and tribalist content with which one does not agree. Our social media platforms also send us harrowing personal issues, setbacks and troubles from people we do not know, right into our personal space, which is deeply disturbing.
Putting aside the stress induced by the failures of government, South Africa’s social media sphere is a stress-inducing space, sadly where rampant tribalism, prejudice, ignorance and failed ideologies are the norm, giving the false impression this is “normal” South Africa.
Not surprisingly many South Africans may feel increasingly overwhelmed by the daily negativity, helpless to bring about change, drained of their life force, their vitality and quietly withdrawing from public life, spaces and engagement.
How does an individual stay grounded with the terrifying uncertainty swirling around us?
Taking time off social media, sending e-mails and the news cycle is important to protect one’s personal, emotional and mental peace. This means one has to build strict boundaries and refrain from the urge to respond to e-mails or telephone calls during downtime. You may have to turn off news notifications.
When engaging on social media, do not do so impulsively. Social media is full of untruths. Many people will not agree with your view. It is unlikely they will be persuaded on social media. Consider carefully before posting, do not engage in an abusive way and do not rant. Stay civil.
It is critical to start with self-care every day. Having a physical exercise regime in whatever form is important – whether walking, running or home-based exercises. Sadly, running or walking around many neighbourhoods is not possible because of runaway crime, with ordinary voters not having bodyguards, as the Johannesburg mayor and elected officials have.
In our digital world, particularly now that work-from-home is frequent, the division between professional and personal is increasingly not clear. Taking time off regularly to recharge is crucial, whether reading, listening to a podcast or watching a film. Read widely.
Mindfulness practices have been increasingly important for me to help ground myself. Breathing practices are particularly useful. But there are many other non-harmful spiritual practices such as meditation, conscious prayer, yoga or spending time in nature.
Having a hobby outside politics or work can bring incredible joy. So can continuous life-long learning, either self-learning or formal learning, to deepen existing knowledge or acquire new knowledge about a new subject or interest.
Mindful of limits on one’s time, money, mental and individual holding space to give, getting involved in altruistic activities is important. Donating blood, organs or bone marrow stem cells is one way to show care for fellow citizens in need. Donating is also a form of altruism, compassion and solidarity and it makes one happy. Helping others boost one’s mental health. But it also gives the donor a great sense of belonging, of being part of a community of donors, connected through saving lives. Regularly donating money — if practical — clothes, food, mentoring and volunteering time to good causes is another.
Stay engaged with political events, but do so consciously and in spaces where you can make a difference. If you feel very strongly about an issue, try to get involved at local community or civil society level or organise a local public debate on the issue.
One feels more powerless if one wants to provide a point of view yet stays on the sidelines. It is more constructive, empowering and game-shifting to get involved at the local level, from cleaning up streets, to forming police community forums, and organising community events, such as community sports and cultural and spiritual events, to joining school governing bodies.
Join municipal ward committees, engage with municipal integrated development planning processes, and petition locally elected officials. Sign or draw up petitions; this will help you feel more empowered. Participate in official calls for public engagement on draft policies, even if these are often there for PR purposes only, policies having been pre-decided in many cases.
Finally, consciously expand the diversity of your circle of friends, networks and interlocutors to include a diversity of political, cultural and economic views, personal backgrounds and ethnicity. Remain curious, open-minded and civil in engagements with others, even if you strongly disagree with their opinions. Stay grateful.
• Gumede is an associate professor at the School of Governance, University of the Witwatersrand and author of Restless Nation: Making Sense of Troubled Times (Tafelberg).
For opinion and analysis consideration, e-mail Opinions@timeslive.co.za
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