Meet Raymond – the Elephant
29 Questions for Raymond. Ndlovu means Elephant in Zulu
What is your idea of perfect happiness? Lying on a hammock under an old big tree, reading a great book on a perfect summer’s day. What is your greatest fear? Living a life of insignificance, in terms of making a lasting, positive impact on at least one other person. Which living person do you most admire? Lucas Radebe, ex-Bafana Bafana Captain. He is an understated, towering pillar of society. What is the trait you most deplore in yourself? Procrastination. What is the trait you most deplore in others? Lack of self-awareness. What is your greatest extravagance? Our dear friend, Lisa Adams-Waite’s baked cheesecake – to die for! What is your favorite journey? Massaging my wife and I to sleep, every night. What do you consider the most overrated virtue? Dressing for the occasion. Show up as your true self, and not as you (are told to) appear! On what occasion do you lie? To protect/preserve another person’s dignity or self-esteem. What do dislike most about your appearance? My wing-nut ears. Eish, I guess I am an Elephant after all! Which living person do you despise? Donald J. Trump – Journalist Nate White sums it up really well.
What is your greatest regret? Not learning to play the drums, my first passion. I guess it’s never too late. What or who is the greatest love of your life? My wife, Lerato – she truly gets me (well, most of the time, anyway!) When and where are you happiest? At our home in Franschhoek, sharing a home-cooked meal and BEV wine with family/friends. Which talent would you most like to have? Stand Up comedy. A real gift.What is your current state of mind? Pensive, curious and expectant about the future and nature of life itself, in the New Normal. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? A much shorter fuse to tolerate crap from, especially when it’s unjustifiable. What do you consider your greatest achievement? Bouncing back from the sheer heartache of a failed first marriage to eventually living my best life, with my family.
If you die and come back as a person or thing, and could choose what to come back as, what would it be? The Constitutional Court – many far-reaching and important decisions are made in my chambers. What is your most treasured possession? My Asics trail running shoes – indispensable tools. What do you regard as your lowest depth of misery? Lack of a sense of inner peace. Either, enforced or internally induced. What is your favorite occupation? Leading effective teams – in business and philanthropy. What is your most marked characteristic? Integrity What do you most value in friends? Kindness and compassion Who are your heroes in life? Teachers. It really is a calling. What are your favorite names? Indigenous ones, with deep-seated meanings. Sometimes they portend the life of the bearer. Mine is Sibusiso (means Blessing in isiZulu) What is it you most dislike? Negative energy – I find it debilitating How would you like to die? Peacefully, quickly and in not too much pain and discomfort. In a chilled manner, as I liked to live. What is your motto? Be at and do your best always – this life is no dress rehearsal.