What price capitalism?

This is an interesting piece that many of us would do well to heed… The story is localised to South Africa, but it could be applied to any location.

What price capitalism?

A small boat docked in a western cape fishing village. A Joburg tycoon complimented the fisherman on the quality of his fish and asked how long it had taken to catch them.

“Not very long.” Answered the fisherman and explained that it was enough to meet his needs.

The tycoon asked what he did with the rest of his time.

“I sleep late, fish a little , play with my children, take an afternoon nap. In the evening I go into the village to see my friends, have a few dops, play the guitar and sing a few songs — I have a full life.”

Tycoon: ” I have an MBA from Wits and I can help you. Start by fishing a bit longer each day and you can the sell the extra fish you catch. With the extra cash you can buy a bigger boat and with the extra cash that will earn you can buy a second boat and then a third etc and end up with a whole fleet. Then instead of selling your fish you can negotiate with the processing factories and maybe even open your own plant. You can then leave the village and live in and direct your business from Cape Town or even Joburg.”

Fisherman : ” How long will that take?”

Tycoon: ” 20 maybe 25 years”

Fisherman: “And then?”

Tycoon: “Then you can float your company on the stock market and buy and sell shares etc and make millions.”

Fisherman : “Millions – wow. And then?”

Tycoon : “Then you can retire and live in a small fishing village – sleep late , catch a few fish, play with your grand children, take an afternoon nap and spend your evenings drinking with your friends playing the guitar and singing a few songs…