WHO ARE YOU?

Who are you?

Not what degree hangs on your wall.

Not how much money sits in your bank account.

Not the title on your business card.

Not the car you drive, the house you own, or the possessions you have accumulated.

Who are you when none of those things matter?

The recent tragic event involving two brilliant young people has left many South Africans heartbroken. As a society, we naturally search for answers when faced with such loss. We ask what happened, why it happened, and whether it could have been prevented.  It is a question we seldom ask ourselves, yet perhaps it is one of the most important questions of our time.

Perhaps there is another question we should be asking ourselves:

What happened to role models?  Not celebrities. Not influencers. Not people whose value is measured by followers, likes, or public recognition.

Real role models.

The people who make time to listen. The people who lead with integrity. The people who understand that their words, actions, and attitudes are constantly shaping the lives of those around them.

Perhaps the problem is not that role models have disappeared altogether, but that we have become distracted by the wrong ones. We have elevated visibility over values, popularity over character, and influence over integrity.

Somewhere along the way, it seems we became more focused on success than significance. We celebrate achievement, but do we celebrate character?

Those in positions of authority carry a responsibility that extends far beyond job descriptions. Whether we are parents, teachers, coaches, employers, directors, community leaders, or professionals - people are watching. More importantly, young people are watching.

Mentorship is not something that happens only in formal programmes. It happens every day, often in the moments we consider insignificant. A conversation. An act of kindness. A word of encouragement when mistakes are made. A willingness to assist without judgement.

Few forces shape human behaviour more powerfully than example. A positive role model can change the trajectory of a life, influencing decisions, attitudes, and aspirations for years to come. The greatest role models do not inspire comparison; they inspire growth.

The impact of a role model often extends far beyond what we can see. Long after titles are forgotten and achievements fade, people remember those who believed in them, guided them, and helped them become better versions of themselves.

As adults, we need to ask ourselves a difficult question: If a young person in my life was struggling, would they feel comfortable coming to me?  Being a role model does not require perfection. More often than not, it simply requires presence.

Our legacy will not be defined by our qualifications, our bank balances, or our accomplishments. It will be defined by the lives we touch, the people we uplift, and the example we set.

So, once again, the question remains: 

Who are you?