Le Weekly #32 – Wakeup Call ☎️
One quote, one word, one shoutout, one story, one neigh from Philosophical Horse and one question.
Greetings everyone. Happy Monday!
Take a moment to reflect on each snippet. Comment your thoughts below.
Le Quote 🗣
“Now that’s optimism.” – Reeza.
Le Word 💬
now (adverb) at the present time or moment.
Le Shoutout 🧣
I used to listen to the radio while driving to work. Work started at 05h30 every day, so I became familiar with three early-morning radio hosts: Liezel van der Westhuizen (KFM), Karabo Ntshweng (5FM), and Noni Radebe (Good Hope FM).
I occasionally felt compelled to send Liezel, Karabo, or Noni a message to let them know that we, the listeners, were listening.
Somehow, somewhere, somewhen, Noni and I became friends.
As a friend, Noni has constantly inspired me. No matter the weather, she wakes up, drives to work, and enters the studio around 04h50 to go live at 05h00.
Every weekday morning for three years straight.
While most of us have gone through ten different life stages over the last three years, Noni stayed consistent.
From the outside, it sometimes looked like nothing was happening, as if she was in a never-ending cycle, but her faith was admirable.
This weekend, Noni’s hard work, patience, and dedication paid off. Her talent was spotted, and a door opened at 5FM. On Saturday, she made her national radio debut, hosting the 5FM Top 40 itself.
Shoutout, Noni Radebe.
A special shoutout must go to Le Scarf legend Nick Archibald, too.
Nick is another exemplary modern-day youngster who has stuck to a vision by consistently showing up for years on end.
Nick’s climb in the radio world started in 2016 when he hosted the MFM breakfast show on the Stellenbosch Campus. A few years later, Nick found himself at 5FM.
Thanks to Noni signing for 5FM, Nick could take a short yet well-deserved holiday from hosting the Top 40 for a while.
Two legends, one station.
Shoutout, Noni and Nick.
Le Story ✍️
Seldom do I feel permitted to share a story that isn’t from Cape Town and isn’t written by Le Scarf, but Noni and Nick’s honest and patient career paths have inspired this week’s story:
There was once an Emperor who had no children and needed to choose a successor.
He invited thousands of children across the kingdom to join him at his palace.
He gave each of them a seed before telling them to go home, plant it, and tend it for a year. The following year, he’d judge their efforts and choose his successor.
A local boy named Ling received his seed and returned to his village. His mother helped him choose a pot and carefully filled it with soil.
Ling watered his pot every day.
Once a week, the village children would compare their plants. Everyone’s pot showed signs of life except for Ling’s.
Ling continued to water his pot every day.
After a few months, the other children had trees, flowers, and shrubs, but Ling still had nothing.
All the other children mocked him, but Ling continued watering his pot.
Twelve months later, it was time to return to the palace. Ling was anxious because his pot still showed no signs of life.
“What if they punish me?” he wondered. “They won’t know that I’ve watered it every day; they’ll think that I’m lazy.”
His mother explained that whatever the consequences were, he had to return and show the Emperor his empty pot.
So, all the children entered the palace. Everyone held their plants proudly, hoping the Emperor would accept them.
The Emperor appeared and slowly walked through the crowd, looking at the impressive trees, shrubs and flowers.
The boys puffed their chests out and tried to look as regal as possible.
Then, the Emperor walked up to Ling. He looked at the pot; then he looked at Ling.
“What happened here?” He asked.
“I watered the seed every day, but nothing grew,” Ling muttered nervously.
“Hmm,” the Emperor said, moving on.
After a few hours, the Emperor finished looking at every plant on display.
He stood in front of the children and congratulated them on their efforts.
“Good plants!” he exclaimed, smiling at all the kids.
“This is a difficult decision. It’s clear that many of you want to be Emperor, and your plants show that you would do anything to make that happen,” he said.
“But,” he continued. “There is one boy who arrived with nothing… Ling, come here, please.”
Trembling, Ling nervously walked to the front.
“A year ago, I gave you all a seed,” the Emperor continued. “I told you to go away, plant the seed and return with your plant. The seeds you were given were boiled, and I knew none would produce a plant!”
“But,” he continued, “I see thousands of plants in front of me and only one barren pot. Ling was the only one to show courage and integrity by returning with an empty pot, and, as a result, I choose Ling as my successor.”
Le Neigh from Philosophical Horse 🐴
“Neigh.” – Philosophical Horse.
Le Question 🤔
What do you want to do/achieve that will take years (years) of patiently, honestly, and consistently showing up? And when will you start?
Have a great Monday, everyone!
Previous Newsletters:
(Remember to send this to someone who you think would enjoy Le Weekly)
No Pain 👟 Big Fan 💨 Vote Le Scarf 🐴 Common Loop 🥕 Road Cat 🐱 Half Way 🚚 Delivery Routine 📦 One Moment ⚽️ Lighting Rod ☔️ Vida Choc 🍫 Street Light 💡 Growth Spurt 📈 Tan Lines ☀️ Steam Train 🚂 Parked Car 🚗 Russ Bus 🚌 Being New ✨ Coffee Coffee ☕️ Leopard Picture 🐆 Clare’s Exhalations 🌸 Boiled Potatoes 🥔 Back Shampoo 🧼 Muscular Swallows 🐦 Long Wood 🪵 Impactful Leaf 🍃 Vulnerable Ankles 🦵 Sea Sea TV 📸 Treadmill Queue 💦 Lemonade 🍋 Meat Factory 🥩 Woolworths Maternitywear 👚
Jeepers MW!🥹 Thank you! You inspire me too, so much!♥️🫂 #GodDid
Shoutout Ling