At the beginning of this week, my lastborn asked an intriguing question about respect.
This paved the way for another protracted information session between us. I am very strong on discipline and always monitor my kids with a hawk’s eye to ensure appropriate behaviour. I believe discipline and respect are everything when raising children.
“Respect is earned, it’s not given. You also cannot demand respect from other people,” I responded to him. “However, that does not mean when you feel an older person is disrespecting you, you must also be disrespectful. You still need to show respect. If for any reason you feel strongly about someone’s behaviour you are more than welcome to talk to me or ask me a question.”
I never asked the reasons for his question, but I believe I offered him a life lesson to handle similar situations.
There are people who often complain about the lack of respect from others while they lack it themselves.
I firmly believe that respect is earned. I respect people equally irrespective of their circumstances.
However, today I pay homage to a young reporter, Samantha Lee-Jacobs ( Sammy as I call her), who earned my respect. She did not only earn my respect but that of her peers too. For over six years, under my stewardship, she has been my go-to person. She served our communities with respect, dignity and loyalty. She never complained no matter the circumstances. We sat in the office long hours into the night to ensure newspapers were finished and delivered to people’s homes on time.
While all our reporters have specific duties and are attached to particular publications, Sammy has been a WP Media (publisher of City Vision, People’s Post and TygerBurger) reporter. Her byline featured prominently across all our titles. Even when she decided it was time to seek greener pastures, she wrote me an email expressing her desire to leave the company. While not happy with her decision, I duly obliged. I did not know that this would come so soon.
It felt as though my world came to an abrupt end on Wednesday 2 April when she handed in her resignation. While I knew this was coming after completing a reference check from a prospective employer, I was gobsmacked when the inevitable happened.
I will forever be grateful for everything you have done for WP Media. You showed the highest level of maturity for your age. You were always a shining light and served without blemish. You respected authority, your work and above all, our readers. You became a brand and I am so proud to have been associated with you.
In my 23 years in the journalism field, I have met and worked with many people, with all their blemishes. Go and shine elsewhere.
To all the young people who are starting their careers, your conduct and treatment of others will ultimately shape your destiny. Watch out how you conduct yourself and know that respect is earned.
