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SOFT LIFE SEASON IS UPON US

21/11/2020 13:38:00 By Nathi Gule

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The soft life season, at times referred to as festive season, is now upon us yet again. This is a time when logic and extravagant spending patterns are parallel. Yet looking at the topsy-turvy year we had, we need to actually be more cautious.

With an even more unpredictable year beckoning coupled with some laws that look to change the tone of our finances, the times of reckless spending are evidently going to be a thing of the past. But be that as it may some people do not see things the same, hence the term of soft life has suddenly become a trend.

People are ‘sbwling’ meaning craving this so called soft life. And the festive season is the hive of it.

Trends

Soft life is what those in the know of trends refer to when speaking of a life that is typified by or filled with ease and comfort, without requiring any hard work, sacrifice, or unpleasantness. In the economy we are in it is hard to imagine such a life. But daily on social media we see examples of it.

How real it is we may never know. But people, despite the economic hardships that we are facing are still having champagne and strawberries on social media. They pose the question, ‘waar was jy?’ an Afrikaans term used in a popular kwaito song which means, ‘where were you?’ This coupled with songs like John Vula iGate (John open the party gate) that have become anthems in many gatherings, it shows that many people would rather live a life of escapism that face the harsh realities that have been inflicted on us by the effects of the Coronavirus (COVID-19).

The numerous layoffs in many industries mean that this will be a festive season like no other.

Yes Christmas has in previous years been losing its fizz or sparkle in terms of being the mother of all days to party, but this year it is predicted to be completely fizz-less for many. In fact for many the festive season has been cancelled. Only denialists continue to embrace the notion of a soft life. Actually globally with the second wave upon many nations this conversation is ongoing of how the festive will look like. The Conversation website analyses it like this; “The prospect of a Christmas without large-scale celebrations is preying on minds. After the widespread cancellation of pantomimes, festive light “switch-ons” and other community activities, it seems likely that 2020s festivities will be much more intimate affairs, potentially with households banned from mixing indoors.”

Reading a story on Eswatini News that 75 per cent of graduates will not get jobs my heart sank last week. I wondered silently to myself what must be done to change the narrative of now converting these would be job-seekers into job creators. Never mind this issue of wasting your youthful years listening to loud meaningless music about an elusive soft life and getting drunk.

Consensus

But there now needs to be a serious consensus of how to tap into the entrepreneurial space.

In Biblical times we are told of Moses on the verge of giving up on his biggest life mission when he encountered the Red Sea. But once there he was reminded by God that the thing that would get them across lay in his hand. He was commanded to use the rod in his hand and strike it down. He did so and the Red Sea parted ways. Now we have graduates that are armed with so much useful knowledge being turned into job seekers in vain. Perhaps it is time for them to look at other ways to use what is in their hands to make money. Equally though there has to be enabling legislations to support the opening of new businesses. It is obvious that the categorisation of businesses in Eswatini should also equate to varying levels of licences and documentation. We hope that the government will consider that as people move into business registration fees are not a huge hindrance and that people can only pay larger fees as their businesses grow. That a person with a company that has only one employee can go through the same registration process as a company with 100, is something that needs to be reviewed. Worldwide SME are huge job creators so the more people are allowed to register companies the less unemployment the country will have and the more tax they can get from those employed. It seems like simple maths. It’s street economics which is sadly parallel to textbook economics which seeks a one size fits all solution.

But one still has hope and faith that as we enter a new year next year, these are the sort of conversations poicy makers will be having to look at what ways they can save the 75 per cent unemployed graduates. This 75 per cent will be able to also train and upskill the unemployed yet unqualified jobless people. It is a win-win situation really. Sadly though, while these conversations are not being had, while we continue to linger in a valley for such meaningful solutions, escapism and a pursuit of the very elusive soft life remains a constant soundtrack to many frustrated unemployed people. But we remain in faith and of course we have the fullest confidence that those responsible for tweaking policies will consider such views that will open up for more business people in the country. In the meantime happy festive season everyone, here’s to another soft life season, well kind of.