Hope, despite a turbulent start to 2024
Whatever I may have been expecting from 2024, it was not reading about the earthquake of magnitude 7.6 that struck Noto Peninsula of Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, first thing in the new year.
Neither was I prepared for a call from a beloved aunt informing me that my cousin had been hospitalised unexpectedly just as the New Year had rung in.
Despite an unexpected start to 2024, I remain hopeful that this year will ring in plenty of opportunities. My cousin is set for full recovery and I consider it the first miracle of the year.
As for this blog, my focus has been on challenges facing brands as well as analyses of communication in general, with a special focus on the crisis kind. Of particular interest are leadership and culture in organisations affecting women over 40 and the effects on our career paths. The year has already been dishing out lessons.
Israel and Gaza
I have to admit being troubled by the dire situation in Israel and Gaza. As a direct consequence of events that transpired on 7 October last year, war was declared.
However, the declaration of war did not take place in a vacuum. According to reports, for a while before 7 October, Israel had been under the impression that its enemies had ceased hostilities. Turned out it was a big mistake.
In an interview with Lebanese channel LBC , Hamas’s senior leader, Ghazi Hamad, had defiantly reiterated the organisation’s commitment to committing the same atrocities again if ever given the chance. Israel, raw from the largest slaughter of Jews since the Holocaust, remains resolute in its commitment to preventing it and to the post-Holocaust slogan, “NEVER AGAIN”.
In horrendous pain and disbelief, Jews worldwide reeled in shock from the lack of support in their greatest time of grief in decades. From the get-go, it seemed as though people were reluctant to ascribe blame to Hamas, widely accepted to be a terrorist organisation, despite their despicable acts.
South Africa courting justice
With this as the backdrop, I was totally taken by surprise by my home country, South Africa’s decision to take Israel to the International Court of Justice (ICJ) accusing it of genocide. The matter was heard at the aptly named Peace Palace in The Hague on 11 and 12 January.
I found the analysis of the court case by Professor Andre Thomashausen, a Professor Emeritus of International Law at the University of South Africa (Unisa), my alma mater, particularly interesting. He specifically focused on the legality of the case and opined that genocidal intent had not successfully been proven by the South African delegation.
Israel raised a point of contention in its deliberation about what constitutes a formal dispute as required by the law. I, too, wondered whether South Africa’s lack of engagement with Israel would negatively affect the case. Listen to his analysis here.
Whatever humans may decide, it is my belief that one way or another, the Judge of judges will be giving His verdict on the matter. Time will tell.
Since the discipline of communication, the written word and the art of persuasion, argument and critical reasoning are all within the ambit of Sparkles and fairy lights, I am especially invested in studying the case and gleaning vital lessons from it.
Stripped of captaincy
Meanwhile, on the day that Israel made its representation at the ICJ, the South African national cricket body stripped the captain of his captaincy. The issue – the captain was Jewish and had uttered pro-Israel comments in a speech. The timing? Unfortunate.
It could have been dealt with better as expressed in this Daily Maverick article. The press release could also have been worded differently. I wondered whether a press release was necessary at all; seemingly internal dialogue could have resolved this without any further fallout. It would appear that it was more a case of mishandling by management, which had backfired and caused a firestorm.
Defiant former president
Talking of a firestorm, there was once a fire-pool story floating around to protect the South African government’s then president, President Jacob Zuma. He had insisted that the sizeable pool built from taxpayer’s money was a security measure put in place in case of a fire. He was vociferously defended by the highest in the land at the time.
In a startling about-turn, the former president has now withdrawn support for the African National Congress (ANC) and this year, its Secretary General admitted to lying in order to protect him as the then sitting president. Not a good look for our government as it celebrated its 112th birthday on 8 January 2024. And certainly not a sterling start to the year by any means.
Qualifications under fire
Still in sunny South Africa, another scandal unfolded in the last few days. The doctoral qualifications of a highly regarded economist, Thabi Leoka, a member of the Presidential Economic Advisory Council, came into the spotlight and her defence thereof under fire.
A back and forth with news outlets and an interview claiming she had, in fact, attained the qualification ensued. Perjury also raised its ugly head in this regard. I hope that this is one huge misunderstanding that can be cleared up with a student number and link to a doctoral thesis. Otherwise, I am afraid, she is the holder of a tarnished reputation.
Sadly, it came close on the heels of allegations made by a certain Dr Matthew Lani who a scant few months ago lied about being a doctor. In both instances, both said that the search conducted was not under their correct names – the qualifications were apparently in a different name. Both hogged the limelight and had very public personas. It was why it is probably creating such an outcry.
Prominent South Africans
They are among many prominent South Africans who have done likewise, raising concern among ordinary South Africans. It would be sad if she finds herself, unwittingly, following in the footsteps of the likes of (Dr) Pallo Jordan, (Dr) Daniel Mthimkhulu and the late Ellen Tshabalala.
Why is this important to a professional looking to work in the online space? With a huge trend towards being authentic and trustworthy, dishonesty in those we trust can prove detrimental. For a small business owner, reputation is sometimes all he/she has.
Additionally, one of Google’s key ranking factors for search engine optimisation (SEO) has been adherence to E-E-A-T – experience, expertise, authoritativeness and trustworthiness. Getting ahead in the rankings means better earnings and deals.
Bearing this in mind, it could be extremely tempting to misrepresent qualifications. In the long run though, honesty is still the best policy for any professional worth his/her salt. Lesson affirm
Not off to a flyer
On to the land of the free. For many, nothing screams freedom quite like taking to flight.
But a century after celebrating the American-spearheaded aviation milestone of 1924, when the first aerial circumnavigation of the world was completed, the renowned American multi-national plane manufacturer Boeing had a less auspicious start.
Unfortunately for Boeing, its year was most definitely not off to a flyer. A new crisis for the embattled company hit when the cabin panel blew off an Alaskan Airlines flight mid-air during a 5 January flight started a whole new episode of grounded flights and mistrust in the brand.
As online professionals who understand the importance of brand reputation, learning lessons from others facing a crisis is invaluable. The Conversation summed up Boeing’s crisis as follows:
“More recently, aeroplane maker Boeing’s reputation for quality has been decimated. First, a damning Netflix documentary examined the 2018 and 2019 crashes of two 737-MAX jets and the company’s choices about passenger safety. Boeing spent four years rebuilding trust after the two fatal crashes. But the recent mid-air cabin panel blow out of a 737 MAX 9 has seen Boeing hit the headlines again, further damaging the company image and leaving customers, pilots, crew and regulators asking why they should trust the company.”
Gone are the days of “Going like a Boeing”. I have wondered whether people could avoid flying on this specific type of aircraft entirely since those crashes. Turns out that many prospective travellers have now expressed the sentiment that if, indeed, it is a Boeing 737 Max 9, they are not going. This is how Reuters reported on the matter.
A Danish royal proclamation
From a right-royal branding mea culpa to a changing of the guard ushering in a brand new royal era.
Despite Queen Margarethe II of Denmark’s advanced age and health concerns, Danes still appeared to be stunned when she announced her abdication after 52 years on the throne. Her son Frederik X was proclaimed king on 14 January 2024.
I do not describe myself as a royalist but they do fascinate me, none more than the now Queen Mary (51), who had not even been born when her mother-in-law had taken the throne. She is a style icon the world over and I am often mesmerised by her sartorial choices.
There is something about Mary
I first discovered Crown Princess Mary during the lockdown of 2020. Yes, more than a decade and a half after the Aussie’s marriage to the dapper Crown Prince Frederik X. Wedding bells had rung in 2004 and Crown Princess Mary, as she became known, stole the hearts of her new people. There is much that sets her apart.
As mentioned, she is a style icon par excellence. I often heard of fashion as a statement. Yet, a comment I stumbled upon while watching Instagram reels had me thinking; a woman said that fashion can indeed be a form of communication. As one obsessed with communication, I had an aha moment. Why had I not thought of that?
Yes, what we wear says so much about who we are and what we represent. Sometimes inadvertently, our appearance speaks volumes. The point was driven home by Vogue that lauded the new Queen’s style on the day of the proclamation, calling it an exemplary instance of confidence expressed through clothing. Yes, her outfit was communicating alright.
Right royal headaches
Moving one from royals on the rise to the British royal family who seemingly just cannot seem to catch a break. Jeffrey Epstein, again, made headlines early in the new year. Prince Andrew remains under fire, while King Charles III’s “headaches” have intensified.
On 17 January, it was announced that Prince William will be supporting his wife, Princess of Wales, who was admitted to hospital for abdominal surgery and was expected to be out of action for at least two to three months. This, while King Charles III was also to be admitted to hospital for a procedure in order to treat an enlarged prostate.
Meanwhile, his wayward son, Prince Harry, is set to receive a Living Legends of Aviation award on 19 January to the consternation of those in the know. A sentiment has been expressed that there are more qualified and deserving recipients.
Hollywood’s biggest losers
Any way you look at it though, they are in a precarious position. Officially dubbed Hollywood’s biggest losers in 2023 by the Hollywood Reporter no less, they faced a dagger wielded and struck to their reputation at the Golden Globes – once again, the laughing stock laughed out the room by the celebrities they so courted – on 7 January barely a week into the year. Former Suits cast members did Meghan no favours on the night either. They are probably on full crisis-avoidance mode.
The Sussex couple has started 2024 on the back of one of their worst years since leaving the royal family. Their brand seems to be in free fall and their popularity taking a nosedive.
Along with the many other misdemeanours and missteps meticulously chronicled on X, this steady fodder of negativity has contributed to musings as to whether their flight of fancy of wanting to conquer Hollywood is in for a crash landing, leaving multi-million brand deals in the balance.
Pedal to the metal
Their proverbial goose seems to have been cooked despite reports of them pitching in to save Ellen DeGeneres’ chicken. Flying high for fledgling former working royals does not come easy. To turn their year around, the duo has got to do everything in their power to put the past behind them and put the pedal to the metal.
I, too, need to up my game. If my financial situation is to change, I have to do things differently in some aspects and put in the effort. At the beginning of this year, I vowed to do things differently and it is my hope, prayer and belief that it will turn out to be one of the best ever.
What are your dreams for 2024? Feeling hopeful? Let me know in the comments.
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