In CapeInfo's interview with Simon Anholt, one of his first questions to government leaders is "What is your country's purpose?" You can't have visions and goals if you don't have a sense of purpose. So we're challenging you - what do you think SA's purpose is or should be? What should your province and city/town's purpose be?

South Africa: To live and demonstrate the meaning of Ubuntu, humanity & humility.
Our rallying call should be the "triumph of the human spirit against the forces of evil, a triumph of wisdom and largeness of spirit against small minds and pettiness; a triumph of courage and determination over human frailty and weakness." (Ahmed Kathrada's famous quotation about Robben Island.)

Western Cape: As the province with most ethic and environmental diversity, to demonstrate the real Rainbow Nation with opportunity for all. A thinking, caring, capable place - a 'feel-good' place to live, work, invest and visit.

Cape Town: As one of nature's masterpieces, it provides a setting that nurtures personal growth and lifestyle choices for all its citizens, visitors and investors. It is the powerhouse that grows the province.

Now what about your goals for SA, your province, city or town?

It seems to me that South Africa has a strike force, not a work force. People should be educated and shown how their actions impact on the rest of the country. We need people to take responsibility for their actions. Look at the damage the teachers' strike did to our matriculants this year, just for an example. Those teachers did not care about the responsibilities they have towards their impressionable charges. They should be examples to be proud of, instead they destroyed the chances of many young people to have a proper education and qualification. How can they expect respect from the Learners now?

The strike force at the schools, hospitals, home affairs and other government departments caused the loss of billions of Rands that could have been used for housing, education and many other projects for the good of the population.

OUR MISSION FOR SOUTH AFRICA should therefore be to educate people to think about and evaluate the consequences of their actions, to teach people about empathy and kindness, and to show people how to be hospitable towards all.

OUR PURPOSE FOR SOUTH AFRICA should be to make South Africa the best country in the world to visit, to live in, to invest in.