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Do they really know what we know?

As we bid farewell to yet another tax season - cue the sigh of relief - we find ourselves at the edge of something equally important in our country, if not more so: Human Rights Month.

Imagine this: You've just finished filing your taxes. You've pushed through hundreds of papers, battled with calculators, and maybe shed a tear or two over things you wish you'd done earlier. But now, as you close that last tab on your browser and take a deep breath, it's time to shift gears. It's time to talk about those liberties that make our world go around.

Human Rights are the backbone of a fair and just society, the principles that remind us of our inherent worth and dignity. And here in South Africa, where the struggle for human rights has been long and hard-fought, we know better than most the importance of standing up for what's right.

Yup, “We know something they don’t know”.

We have the right to rock crocs with socks if we desire. It might not be everyone's cup of tea, but hey, we're a nation of individuality and freedom of choice, right?

Now that Covid lockdown is over, we have the right to indulge in a braai (that's a barbecue for our international friends) every chance we get. Because let's face it, nothing brings people together quite like sizzling a steak and drinking a cold one on a hot Summer’s day. It's practically a national pastime, and we're not about to argue with tradition.

Truthfully, we have the right to defend our personal space in those overcrowded malls and home affairs queues. We may be polite and friendly, but we also have grown to be ‘fighters’ who stand up for what is right for ourselves and the good people around us.

But let's not forget the serious stuff. Legally, we have the right to freedom of expression, which means we can shout our opinions from the rooftops (or for the 2024 goers, post them on social media) without fear of persecution.

Morally, we have the right to stand up against injustice and inequality. Whether it's fighting for gender equality, racial justice, or fighting against GBV, we've learnt to have each other's backs.

Ethically, we have the right to treat others with respect and kindness, regardless of their background or beliefs. It's called Ubuntu, and it's the glue that holds our rainbow nation together.

From freedom of speech to the right to education, from the fight against discrimination to the pursuit of equality, there's plenty to talk about. Plenty to ‘fight’ for. More importantly – the beautiful conundrum of how having the NEED for Rights has taught South Africans how to be better human beings and pull together in unity.

So, let’s take a moment, to not only focus on our own personal rights but the rights of ‘US’ in unity, as a nation. This year we’ll have a chance to have our say and make our mark. Exercise your voice where it matters, not only when that voice is shouting from the other room.

We want to challenge you to be part of a nation of givers, helpers, entrepreneurs, just plainly – people who try! You have the right to be a better person than you’ve ever been too, now go out and be just that!

At 1.618 we want to help people to live their best lives. To grow into the nation of thrivers that we were made to be. Contact your advisor today to see how you can prepare for the next 20 amazing years in the country – with confidence and a renewed energy to go out and do the same for others.