Craig Sumption

@VusiThembekwayo Very well stated Vusi!! A poor international image of our country will ultimately affect all!

This post might not be popular, but hear me out. I just finished a phone call with my business partner, Lamar, in Atlanta, USA (the sixth such call since Monday), asking about the turmoil in South Africa. Ordinarily, when we talk, I am asking him to explain the orange man and the politics of the USA. Today, he said to me, “Seems like the craziness has travelled across the Atlantic & docked at the Cape of Good Hope.” Each of these six calls is with a respected & highly successful black business leader from another country. They’ve seen the videos circulating on social media, & they are wondering if it's safe to travel into SA. Lamar is bringing black investors to SA soon to seek investment opportunities. He and the people he is due to travel with have seen the images, videos and posts depicting clashes and violence between South Africans and foreign nationals. Remember that in the world of PR: facts come after the party is over. By the time the facts, the nuance, & perfectly crafted statements arrive, the impressions have been set, people have their beliefs about the matter and society's attention has shifted elsewhere. Let me be clear: this post isn’t about whether South Africa faces an immigration crisis, an economic crisis, or whether the country’s system is being exploited. Those are important debates, but that’s not what I’m addressing here. What I want to highlight is this: in the absence of bold leadership, chaos & opportunism rule. There’s a dangerous lack of clear, unambiguous leadership. A clear lack of visible action. … I can’t help but wonder, where is our leadership? Why are the business leaders silent? They all want to talk about how Africa is their growth economy, but remain silent when Africa turns on itself. Make it make sense. Why are civic leaders quiet? And most critically, where is our head of state, the leader of our nation? Where is his executive? Where is the Tourism Board of South Africa & Department of Tourism? After all, they are the custodian of Brand South Africa? Where is the DIRCO? They are the stewards of South Africa's soft power with its peer nations. Where is BUSA, BLSA & their peer network of organisations? This moment needs action beyond opinion pieces about “building network industries.” This moment is near-on existential, & left unattended, it will affect the image of South Africa (and the world's perception of South Africans) for at least a generation. Why is the corridor of leadership so empty? It's unimaginable that our Presidency department (the primary client of our intelligence service) has not provided clear leadership at this moment. They, more than all of us, should know the cost of poor international perception left unattended. Leadership, clarity, and communication are crucial now. Some say that our leaders are quiet because they are taking their time to understand the forces ar play. However, the optics (the visual impact) of our current situation are undeniably grim. Regardless of your political stance or favourite political party, the image of the country is at stake. The image we are currently projecting is one of institutional failure. There is a sign hanging above South Africa’s leadership that reads “House To Let.” This is a dangerous crossroads. So, can the real leader please stand up? Can the president, his executive, the well-paid company heads, and our prominent civic leaders lead us out of this darkness? True leadership in these critical moments. I might be wrong, but I doubt it. Let's argue in the comments. VT

@TheGautrain the temperature inside your train from OR Tambo is so high, it’s close to unbearable- need to feel like there is some air to breathe!

@ChrisHatt11 Just crazy when so much could have been prevented!!

" roughly 47% of SA's treated water is lost before reaching customers, well above the international average of 30%. In rand amounts, the water losses added up to R14.89-billion in the 2023/24 financial year." dailymaverick.co.za/article/2026-0…

@WandileSihlobo And surely ultimately too much switching from wheat will cause us different problems?

CANOLA PRODUCTION IN SOUTH AFRICA MAY REACH A FRESH HIGH IN 2026-27. But there is important context here. The expansion is not only driven by the strong demand, farmers are having a hard time with wheat production and now looking to switch some area to canola.

@JillCrossland @danielsilvabook It is definitely worth going and reading them all!!

@danielsilvabook My first journey into Allon's world was An Inside Job, and now I am a fan - Ransom pre-ordered!

I am thrilled to share with all of you the cover for my new book, Ransom! Gabriel Allon is back with many of your favorite characters. One hint, the picture on the book cover plays a key role in the story. Please let me know if you can guess where it is...

@livgolf_league your organisation relating to queuing to enter is extremely poorly organised - basically not organised at all!!!!

@mark_barnes56 Look forward to hearing from you on a new platform!

Listen Up! The cradle of war, the budget aftermath … and bye for now news24.com/multimedia/pod…

@sophiegreenart Happy Birthday Sophie 🎉

Today is my birthday and what I want more than anything is for Molly to become a lap cat but I suppose I will settle for world peace. 🤞🏼✌🏼

@MichaelJordaan @VisualCap @VoronoiApp @grok South Africa higher net assets than the UAE??

@VisualCap @VoronoiApp @grok do the same but for household assets

Ranked: The 35 Countries with the Highest Household Debt 💳 This graphic by Iswardi Ishak is one of the many incredible data-driven charts and stories from creators featured on our @VoronoiApp. ✅  voronoiapp.com/economy/Househ…

@sophiegreenart And such stunning art it is 😊

Seeing people enjoy my art = 👌🏼

@sophiegreenart All the best for your time in Dubai Sophie, trust it all goes well for you 😊

The Dubai show opens TOMORROW and will run for the next couple of months! Please do head over to Gallery27 if you’re in the area and would like to see the paintings in my Commodities collection. We’re hosting a little reception 6pm-10pm for those who would like to chat to me about the collection. Do come along or share with your friends in Dubai! 😁🙏🏻

@TrevorImmelman @jacobimmelman @carminita78 Nice that you could get back for a visit.

South Africa delivered, we had a blast! @jacobimmelman @carminita78

@sophiegreenart Well said Sophie!!

Please share this long, rambling disjointed message far and wide so we can all stick it to the man and not let AI take over the creative world. ❤️

@christophclarey It has taken off very strongly in South Africa!!

I've experienced padel booms in Spain and Sweden during my time in Europe. Slowly making inroads in the USA but it's very upmarket for now nytimes.com/2025/09/08/us/…

@mark_barnes56 Big ouch, largest losing margin in history I heard them say?

The difficulty when reading @danielsilvabook Gabriel Allon books is they read so well you want to spend the whole day reading. Then you realise you have to wait another year for the next one, so rather try and read it slowly and stay absorbed in it for as long as possible 😊

@JoelCRosenberg @Crazy4Fiction @TheRealBookSpy @thrillerwriters Just started reading it in South Africa

Thanks so much to all of you who have chosen #MemorialDayWeekend to read THE BEIJING BETRAYAL, the explosive conclusion to my Marcus Ryker series of political thrillers! Who else is reading it — and where? I’d love to hear from you! @Crazy4Fiction @TheRealBookSpy @thrillerwriters

@Sandton_News Just changing the timing of traffic lights at key times would be a huge start to relieving congestion!

[ICYMI] The Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department - JMPD kicked off a comprehensive initiative aimed at relieving traffic jams and enhancing road safety, starting with the heavily-trafficked Grayston Drive and M1 intersection. tinyurl.com/5ykuke64

As we step into a new year, we are filled with gratitude and excitement for what lies ahead. To our clients, partners, and incredible team members, let's continue to build a better world, together. Happy New Year! #PositiveChange #BuildingABetterWorld #2025

@bridgetmoynahan @BlueBloods_CBS @DonnieWahlberg Have loved the show @bridgetmoynahan , you’ve all been great for many years. A number of people in South Africa are sad it’s come to an end.

.@BlueBloods_CBS fans, we have one last episode to get #BlueBloodsFinale trending. You know @DonnieWahlberg will be doing his part. Let’s do this!