The word ‘sustainability’ is described in the dictionary in two ways; ‘the ability to be maintained at a certain rate or level’ and ‘avoidance of the depletion of natural resources in order to maintain an ecological balance’.

Pretty straightforward, right? Well, why is it so hard for many in society to grasp this concept? Without ‘sustainability’ in the agriculture sector, we won’t have food in years to come. Without ‘sustainability’ when it comes to finances, we will run out of money and be dragged down into a depression. Without ‘sustainability’ with regards to natural resources, we won’t have electricity or much for the world to invest in. These are mere examples of a plethora of concerns we should all be digesting.

We need to start taking things more seriously. We cannot wait for someone else to fix our problems. We need to become more aware of the threats across the board, should we continue to be frivolous with how we use, see, and understand what we have in this country.

There is an Aboriginal proverb which fits perfectly into how we should view sustainability – and not just when it comes to our land: ‘Look after the land and the land will look after you, destroy the land and it will destroy you’.

Just by reading that proverb, we can begin to understand the importance of planning, executing, and living ‘sustainability’ in South Africa.

Financial Sustainability

One of the big issues in this regard stems from a lack of education around the subject. We need to start teaching our children from a young age that if you take a carrot from the soil, you must replace it. The same applies from a financial perspective. If you spend all of your money at once, you cannot get it back. Just like growing a carrot, financially we need to view what we have with importance and respect. Throwing money at issues like failed SOEs in this country does nothing but increase the strain and does little for confidence.

South Africa’s National Development Plan highlights the need for sustainability in all that we do. The concern, though, is that it is simply a plan. There is not enough being done on the ground to ensure that the bigger picture is portrayed to a society which has already suffered enough hardships. We do not need to go through any more. The government should be doing everything within its power to instill values of respect when it comes to the things which we have been blessed with in this country.

Sadly, as the government has shown time and again, putting your hand in the cookie jar is a far more attractive proposition than working hard to see a better, more sustainable tomorrow. The more that is stolen, the less there is for future generations. The more that is stolen, the more damage the present feels. The more that is stolen, the less likely that South Africa will ever be able to recover – and that is the complete opposite of what it means to create sustainability.

A Sustainable South Africa

It is not all doom and gloom, however. South Africans do have a way of ensuring we have a future, even if they fail to get the necessary support to do so. The smallest of changes can create a snowball effect – the kind of effect we badly need in this country.

The story of Sindiso Khumalo is one we should be proud of. At this year’s Green Carpet Fashion Awards – which celebrates the commitment of fashion houses to sustainability, Khumalo walked away as the winner of the ‘Independent Designer of the Year’ award. The Cape Town-based designer is passionate about securing South Africa’s future. It may seem trivial – as fashion is hardly seen as a game changer in many eyes, but the fact that Khumalo is committed to taking this country forward in a sustainable manner, we should be using this as inspiration to change our mindsets across the board and open up lines of communication which will impact all that we do as a country.

“I started my brand with the premise of being a modern-day Robin Hood: to create luxury clothing that will eventually help the poorest and most vulnerable in our society; to create a change for our continent and create a new future for our youth. This award reaffirms that dream,” Khumalo said after receiving her award.

So, South Africa, let’s work together. Let’s understand how we can secure South Africa’s future. We should no longer be sitting at home cursing the issues of the day, but rather doing our bit to make a difference. For there to be a tomorrow for this country, we all need to take sustainability seriously. We need our choices to be sustainable – and we need to hold those to account who threaten what future generations require.