Iegsaan Ally (email)
An odd question, you might think, but not entirely a crazy one.
The first time I asked someone this question, they looked at me as if I had just landed here from planet Stupid. Not impressed. I got a huh, … what, … yoh, … eish, … hauh, … and how?
It is actually quite simple. We always think of what we are going to do with money, but we don’t often think of what we need to do to get money. We forget to add all the effort needed to earn something. Let’s see what it costs different people to earn a R200 note.
If you are a gardener, R200 will cost you a day of your life, physical exertion, a good burn from the sun, and you will need some old clothes. Intellectually you need to know how to use a lawn mower, weed eater, spade, fork and some garden sheers. Your training for this job could be anything from a few hours to a few days. You don’t need to have studied at a Saqa-accredited institute, or have a qualification on any NQF level. Eezy peezy.
If you want to earn more you could be a private tutor. For this you need a matric certificate, a teacher’s qualification, knowledge about the subject you are tutoring, a desk and chair, and a little place where you can work with your student. If you are a very nice tutor, you will earn R200 for an hour of your life. Not too bad, but you still won’t be rich.
However, if you had straight As throughout school – in fact since daycare, pre-school and then school – then you could study medicine at a top university. You could graduate as a doctor and then specialise further to become a surgeon. You would study most of the time and miss out on several “parties of the century”. You would be “dateless” most Saturday nights and have a cadaver as your best friend throughout most of your days. In addition to this high IQ, you need the confidence to pick up a scalpel and use it. Then, of course, you need to be able to do needlework. (Embroidery doesn’t qualify you, sorry.)
Then, and only then, you can earn R200 a minute in theatre! Yoh!
As you can see education is the greatest commodity. If you know things and you have acquired skills, then you can earn from it.
There is always a price to pay for money. The question is what are we prepared to sacrifice. We give our time, strength and intellect. Sometimes we sacrifice our sleep, health and the relationships close to us in the pursuit of wealth. Whatever we may do, it is our choice, and we will reap the benefits of our labour.
The biggest decision to make is whether the price for money is right, or too high. Sell your knowledge and talent; but not your soul.
