NOKO MOLOTO WRITES: “Honest Hustlers are Losing Out in Mzansi”
Why honest hustlers are losing out in Mzansi (It’s not you, it’s the game)
Let’s be honest, in this country, if you’re not connected, you’re not eating properly. You might be working your fingers to the bone, but without the right ties, the big deals and tenders are always out of reach. It’s a tough reality that a lot of us have swallowed silently, but it’s time to talk about it openly.
See, the problem is not that honest people don’t work hard. It’s that the system is built to favour those with the right family names, political friends, or who know the right people in the right places.
I know this because I have sat with these guys and ladies all over South Africa, from Polokwane to Cape Town, hearing the same stories over and over. Like the chap in Polokwane who started a logistics company with just two second-hand trucks and a borrowed bakkie. The guy is honest, reliable, and delivers on time. But after three years, not a single big tender has come his way. Why? Because those contracts get passed around like party invites, only the “right” people get them. Family, friends of the mayor, political allies.
Or the woman in Cape Town who runs a small manufacturing business. She’s there before the rooster crows, works till late, and still can’t get the numbers to add up. Every time a juicy order comes up, it disappears into the pockets of some “connected” competitor. A guy who’s more famous for his chommies in government than the quality of his product.
These stories are not a secret or unusual. They are everyday realities for thousands of honest entrepreneurs in South Africa. And here’s the kicker, most of them are quietly falling into depression. They look at themselves and think, “Maybe I’m just not good enough.”
But the truth is, they are comparing themselves to people playing a whole different game. While they’re hustling brick by brick, others are being handed the keys on a silver platter.
We all know the slogan; “hard work pays.” Maybe for some, but for many, hard work just keeps the lights on. The big bucks? They’re reserved for those with the right connections , the political favours, the family ties, the backroom deals.
And here’s where it gets messy. When honest people keep losing, some start thinking, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Corruption starts looking like the only way forward.
This is how the cycle feeds itself. People who began as honest hustlers become disillusioned and maybe even join the very system that shut them out. That’s why corruption becomes normal, not because everyone wants it, but because the honest path looks like a dead end.
And it’s why fighting corruption often feels like shouting into the wind. Because that wind is made up of people, powerful people with influence stretching from government offices to family houses.
So what’s an honest entrepreneur to do? How do you keep your head up when the game is clearly rigged?
First, stop blaming yourself. If you’re struggling, it’s not because you’re lazy or dumb. The system is not fair, plain and simple. Accepting that truth is the first step to dealing with it.
Second, keep pushing. If you’re still showing up day after day, that’s real grit. No tender, no political favour, no shortcut can replace that kind of determination.
Third, build your own networks. Yes, connections matter, there’s no shame in that. The problem is when those connections come with a price on your integrity. Find your own people, your own tribe. Support each other. Create your own doors, don’t wait for someone else to open them for you.
Lastly, demand change. This is not just about individual struggles. It’s about fixing a broken system. We need transparency, accountability, and consequences for those who rig the game. Until then, the honest entrepreneurs will keep fighting uphill battles, and the country will keep missing out on their true potential.
Some will say this sounds cynical, maybe even hopeless. But I call it real talk. South Africa is full of talented, hardworking people who deserve better. They deserve a level playing field where their sweat can turn into success.
Until that day comes, remember; it’s not you. It’s the game.
And if you’re still in the fight, keep your chin up. When the system finally changes, the winners won’t be the ones who cut corners or kissed babies for votes. They’ll be the ones who built honestly, endured the struggle, and refused to sell their souls. That’s a victory worth waiting for.
Moloto Noko Moloto Social Commentator | Entrepreneur | Public Relations Manager
Moloto Noko Moloto is a dynamic social commentator and entrepreneur known for insightful perspectives on contemporary social issues. With a strong background in marketing and public relations management, Moloto expertly bridges communication and business, helping brands build authentic connections with their audiences. Passionate about community empowerment and innovative solutions, Moloto continues to influence both the media and entrepreneurial landscapes with clarity and purpose.
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NOKO MOLOTO WRITES: “Honest Hustlers are Losing Out in Mzansi”
NOKO MOLOTO WRITES: “Honest Hustlers are Losing Out in Mzansi”
Why honest hustlers are losing out in Mzansi (It’s not you, it’s the game)
Let’s be honest, in this country, if you’re not connected, you’re not eating properly. You might be working your fingers to the bone, but without the right ties, the big deals and tenders are always out of reach. It’s a tough reality that a lot of us have swallowed silently, but it’s time to talk about it openly.
See, the problem is not that honest people don’t work hard. It’s that the system is built to favour those with the right family names, political friends, or who know the right people in the right places.
I know this because I have sat with these guys and ladies all over South Africa, from Polokwane to Cape Town, hearing the same stories over and over. Like the chap in Polokwane who started a logistics company with just two second-hand trucks and a borrowed bakkie. The guy is honest, reliable, and delivers on time. But after three years, not a single big tender has come his way. Why? Because those contracts get passed around like party invites, only the “right” people get them. Family, friends of the mayor, political allies.
Or the woman in Cape Town who runs a small manufacturing business. She’s there before the rooster crows, works till late, and still can’t get the numbers to add up. Every time a juicy order comes up, it disappears into the pockets of some “connected” competitor. A guy who’s more famous for his chommies in government than the quality of his product.
These stories are not a secret or unusual. They are everyday realities for thousands of honest entrepreneurs in South Africa. And here’s the kicker, most of them are quietly falling into depression. They look at themselves and think, “Maybe I’m just not good enough.”
But the truth is, they are comparing themselves to people playing a whole different game. While they’re hustling brick by brick, others are being handed the keys on a silver platter.
We all know the slogan; “hard work pays.” Maybe for some, but for many, hard work just keeps the lights on. The big bucks? They’re reserved for those with the right connections , the political favours, the family ties, the backroom deals.
And here’s where it gets messy. When honest people keep losing, some start thinking, “If you can’t beat them, join them.” Corruption starts looking like the only way forward.
This is how the cycle feeds itself. People who began as honest hustlers become disillusioned and maybe even join the very system that shut them out. That’s why corruption becomes normal, not because everyone wants it, but because the honest path looks like a dead end.
And it’s why fighting corruption often feels like shouting into the wind. Because that wind is made up of people, powerful people with influence stretching from government offices to family houses.
So what’s an honest entrepreneur to do? How do you keep your head up when the game is clearly rigged?
First, stop blaming yourself. If you’re struggling, it’s not because you’re lazy or dumb. The system is not fair, plain and simple. Accepting that truth is the first step to dealing with it.
Second, keep pushing. If you’re still showing up day after day, that’s real grit. No tender, no political favour, no shortcut can replace that kind of determination.
Third, build your own networks. Yes, connections matter, there’s no shame in that. The problem is when those connections come with a price on your integrity. Find your own people, your own tribe. Support each other. Create your own doors, don’t wait for someone else to open them for you.
Lastly, demand change. This is not just about individual struggles. It’s about fixing a broken system. We need transparency, accountability, and consequences for those who rig the game. Until then, the honest entrepreneurs will keep fighting uphill battles, and the country will keep missing out on their true potential.
Some will say this sounds cynical, maybe even hopeless. But I call it real talk. South Africa is full of talented, hardworking people who deserve better. They deserve a level playing field where their sweat can turn into success.
Until that day comes, remember; it’s not you. It’s the game.
And if you’re still in the fight, keep your chin up. When the system finally changes, the winners won’t be the ones who cut corners or kissed babies for votes. They’ll be the ones who built honestly, endured the struggle, and refused to sell their souls. That’s a victory worth waiting for.
Moloto Noko Moloto
Social Commentator | Entrepreneur | Public Relations Manager
Moloto Noko Moloto is a dynamic social commentator and entrepreneur known for insightful perspectives on contemporary social issues. With a strong background in marketing and public relations management, Moloto expertly bridges communication and business, helping brands build authentic connections with their audiences. Passionate about community empowerment and innovative solutions, Moloto continues to influence both the media and entrepreneurial landscapes with clarity and purpose.