The End of the Alphabet

A “Gen-Z “ perspective on Life , Work and Business

Culture, as defined by me, is the unspoken social fabric that binds people together. Culture is malleable from one set of subscribers to the next, it bends, folds, and creases. It’s handed down like DNA; it has an accurate record of the past, but mutations and evolutions help it “better” handle the future.

What is our Culture ?

I feel that, as a generation, we’ve lost out on work ethic, forgotten the value of diligence, and the importance of service.

Don’t shoot the messenger, but I have something to say.

Now… I’m frequently tasked by key decision-makers (investors, CEOs, and C-suite executives) to translate my peers’ outlook on life, work, and business. As a champion for the next generation of African enterprise, I’m torn: should I speak the hard, sad truths or champion opportunities for a culture that’s not yet ready?

The consensus and reality of African youth today is guided by false narratives peddled on internet forums that harvest their attention for commercial and, quite frankly, selfish reasons. (Cheap entertainment leads to cheap outcomes.)

On a continent full of Tenderpreneurs and a world full of get-rich-quick gurus, we are hardly to blame—but our future is our responsibility.

If that’s fake, then what’s real? I grew up saying, “Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” I’m not here to “put you on game” or preach my gospel; my hope is that you may at least see the game for what it is—after that, whatever you choose is between you and your destiny.

I. The truth is, there is no happy ending. I don’t think it’s a coincidence, but life is like an electrocardiogram—similar to your heartbeat—a series of ups and downs that, once put together, comprise your life.

II. Life is not a casino or a baseball game—there is no jackpot, and one home run is not enough to win the game. You must perform time and time again; once doesn’t cut it. You have to show up every day and give it your best. Step up to the plate and swing with all you’ve got. Sometimes you hit it out of the park, and other times you swing and miss—even though both times you tried your best. Here’s the kicker: until you get good at this life thing, you’ll most likely miss more times than you can count. But as long as you keep swinging, you’ll figure a thing or two out, and before you know it, you’ll have a series of home runs. To succeed, you will tango between the two—a few steps forward, and every once in a while, a few steps back—but as long as you keep dancing, you’ll catch the rhythm again.

III. Wealth—as social beings, the only way to make wealth for yourself is to make wealth for others. If only you could conduct business in a vacuum—but you can’t. Willing buyer, willing seller—and you cannot be both. As the world evolves, you may do it through a screen or miles apart, but this hasn’t changed since time immemorial. As an employee for your organisation, as an entrepreneur for your stakeholders, and as a politician for the populace, there is no escaping this fact.

IV. You can have it all—but not at once. Different seasons need different things from you. It is unlikely that you will experience the height of your career and simultaneously vacation across the world. Like mathematics, some sets are mutually exclusive—to be a member of one, you cannot be a member of the other. However, this is not forever. The universe made it that you can only be in one place at a time. Work when it is time for work and play when it is time for play. AVOID THE ANXIOUS MIDDLE. God forbid you try them both—you will detest every second of what I’d describe as living hell.

V. Servitude — True growth often stems from those who paved the way. When opportunity comes knocking, first honour the hands that lift you . Offer your time, expertise, and gratitude without reservation: share insights , support initiatives and contribute to causes. In serving and uplifting , you forge stronger bonds, preserve a legacy of excellence, and ensure the path remains open for future generations.

VI. Don’t believe their truth—there’s misinformation available at a dime a dozen. The saying goes: a lie makes it around the world before the truth has put its shoes on. Please, in whatever you do, seek the truth. Facts are universal, but the truth is personal—so don’t seek mine. Only you know your truth. In our world defined by zeroes and ones only, I know how many lives I’ve touched, families I’ve fed, and streams of income I have—and I’m not yet done. Look within yourself for what that looks like for you. Define your success and your truth. And don’t stop until you have it. I know it’s a lifelong pursuit, but that’s the beauty of it: as long as you seek the truth, you will never find it but it will find you, just as the sun touches you, but you never touch it.

Race you to the future…

Love and light,