Equal Distribution of Wealth

This term: Equal Distribution of Wealth, really alludes me, it is devoid of all logic and practical application.

The Freedom Charter, which can be described as the moral designation upon which the majority of South African politics is based (by its very nature, morality and politics do not mix) identifies the great need to redress all the inequalities, subjugation, forced poverty and heinous crimes against humanity.

The one clause in the document most associated with equal distribution of wealth is that of: The people shall share in the country’s wealth. 

In my opinion this is one of the most noble of the clauses – speaking to wealth creation, efficiency and free of state influence.

THE PEOPLE SHALL SHARE IN THE COUNTRY'S WEALTH! 

The national wealth of our country, the heritage of all South Africans, shall be restored to the people;

The mineral wealth beneath the soil, the banks and the monopoly industry shall be transferred to the ownership of the people as a whole; 

All other industry and trade shall be controlled to assist the well-being of the people; 

All people shall have equal rights to trade where they choose, to manufacture and to enter all trades, crafts and professions.

The Charter is to us South Africans what the Declaration of Independence is to the United States of America (caveat, issues of implementation and economic theory).

With little to no economics theory, except the ability to think and been involved in business for some time now.

I have come to the realization that this all so ambivalent statement of equal distribution of wealth is a misnomer that will do more harm than any potential for good.

Let us look at this from a practical perspective – children entering grade 1 together, they are all 6 years of age and filled with different talents and abilities. Some are fast, other not; some are strong and other less so; some are intellectually superior to others, etc, etc.

None are endowed with abilities in an equal manner – the very same thing holds true in life. Some of us will excel at building wealth than others, purely based on our talents and abilities alone.

The major importance is that we all have equal opportunity to do the best we can with what we have, where we are, in all we do.

The age-old adage that working hard will make you better off, is not founded – numerous laborers and women in rural areas work extremely hard, but they offer to the market little that is of value to a big enough market, to generate a massive amount of income and thus earn little.

If equal distribution of wealth existed in the world, who would do all the work. Entrepreneurs are driven to start things, to grow companies and as a consequence – not a key drive, create jobs. Job seekers are looking for jobs and security in them to earn a living, selling their effort and time for wages or salaries. Each works hard in their chosen area of ability.

Most entrepreneurs make lousy employees and similarly, most job takers make lousy entrepreneurs.

Entrepreneurs start and build businesses because they saw a need, an opportunity or themselves are driven by need to earn a living. We all have at one time this equal decision opportunity to make. Do I become an entrepreneur or do I become a job seeker. Whether 16 year of age and have just completed High School, or in your early 20s and just finished University or even later in life after a few years of work.

We all have an equal amount of opportunity to make this decision over, and over and over again. And with all decisions, it will have consequences. There are no guaranteed salaries or wages at the end of the month for the entrepreneur – no one to complain to or set up a strike for if they are not happy with their takings.

Contrary to what is understood, for every 1 extremely wealthy entrepreneur that is showcased and commented on, there were 1 000 other entrepreneurs who could not make equal success of the same opportunity or opportunities given to them.

Why do we not have more Mr. Herman Mashaba’s in South Africa, or more Dr. Richard Maponya and a host of very well established entrepreneurs who have walked the long, lonely road to create something where nothing existed before.

They deserve the wealth they have created and should not be obligated to share it with anyone – my point is that, we should be very wary of statements that take away from us our ability to make decisions and strive for what we want, creating a false sense of security in an invisible, earthly force to take us from where we are and put us somewhere we desire to be, without any involvement or labour on our part.

As it is written: “You will eat bread by the sweat of your brow…” - Genesis 3:19 (CSB)

This concept is thus unfounded and has the potential to insight violence and hatred amongst people of South Africa. Do not get me wrong, aspects of greed and corruption do exist - but equally giving away a slice of cake is impossible.

Let every (wo)man bake his/her own cake as his/her distribution - according to all his/her abilities and talents.