In an age of instant gratification and relentless public scrutiny, the concept of development—whether personal, organisational or national—has often been misunderstood.
A few years ago, while scrolling through social media, I stumbled across a video that shaped my understanding of progress—an understanding I wish to explore with you here today.
BRICK BY BRICK: A LESSON FROM POLITICS
In the video, a senior politician from a North African country was defending his ruling party against criticism for its failure to deliver on a key campaign promise: the construction of
200 000 housing units. Critics from the opposition vocally condemned the government for what they labelled an outright failure to honour its promises to the people.
Responding to the criticism, the politician acknowledged the unmet target but firmly stated that 25 000 homes had, in fact, been built. “All development is progressive,” he said, brushing aside the outcry with a striking analogy. “When you promise to build 200 000 houses, you don’t wake up the morning after the election and find them magically built. You build them brick by brick, house by house, block by block. That is how true development happens.”
THE ILLUSION OF INSTANT RESULTS
His words echoed far beyond the political arena and resonated in the avenues of everyday life. I began to reflect on how easily society falls into the trap of measuring progress through the lens of instant results—be it in government, companies, or our personal lives.
The impatience of those who watch from the sidelines often overshadows and undermines the hard work taking place behind the scenes. What we fail to understand is that development takes time—and that time is filled with effort, redirection, consultation, unforeseen challenges, and small, consistent victories which are often overlooked. Progress, real progress, does not sprout overnight.
We live in a world where results are expected on demand and progress is generally measured by immediate, visible outcomes rather than by the integrity of the process or the sustainability of what has been implemented. But true development, by its very nature, is well thought out. It is steady, intentional, systematic and deeply rooted in the time-tested values of persistence, tears, sweat, blood, collaboration and vision.
SUCCESS AND THE SILENT STRUGGLES
The idea that progress must be achieved instantly is reinforced by the age of viral sensations—overnight millionaires and fast-paced lifestyles—which modern media glorifies. Nowadays, it is not uncommon to observe someone rushing about the streets as if late for something, when in reality, they have nowhere urgent to be.
Social media often floods our minds with images of success—lavish homes, luxury cars, weddings, promotions—all packaged to create the impression that these were attained instantly, or to suggest there is a straight path to success.
What strikes me the most, however, is how rarely society considers the sleepless nights, the years of struggle, the failures and the grind behind the scenes. This culture fosters a dangerous misconception that development must be immediate to be valid or acknowledged.
DEVELOPMENT IS NOT A SPRINT
This illusion unfortunately transcends into national discourse too. When governments roll out infrastructure projects, initiate educational reforms, or set ambitious economic targets, critics often expect immediate results. Yet development—sustainable development—is a marathon, not a sprint. It must be collaborative, intentional, and carefully aligned with realities on the ground. I have seen well-intentioned government programmes ridiculed and dismissed immediately after being unveiled.
What we often fail to consider is that the city of Rome was not built in a day, nor is a journey of a thousand miles undertaken in a single bound. The Rome we admire today stands as a testament to steady, deliberate effort—brick laid upon brick, day after day. In much the same way, we must approach our national goals: with patience, persistence and a clear vision, recognising that meaningful progress is always the result of sustained commitment over time.
TAKING STOCK MATTERS
Returning to the housing project example, let us take the politician’s defence at face value: 25 000 homes built out of a 200 000 goal? That is over 12 per cent of the campaign promise achieved. While the absolute number may fall short of expectations, it is far from an outright failure. It represents effort, resources mobilised, and shelter provided for thousands. More importantly, it lays the groundwork for further progress. If anything, such milestones should be encouraged, built upon, and accelerated with better planning and accountability not ridiculed as wholesale failure or used as political leverage for naysayers. This is a fundamental lesson to draw for Eswatini especially when considering the massive development aspirations we are pursuing.
From this same principle, we can draw critical lessons that apply to our personal aspirations. This may relate to those who envision completing a degree, starting a business, or buying a house. You may not be there yet—perhaps you are enrolled in your first course and the next three years seem daunting, drawing up a business plan with no clue where the capital will come from, or saving for the down payment on your dream home. Consider this as progress. What matters most is sustaining the momentum—consistency is the true measure of success.
PROGRESS NEEDS A PLAN
Another thing, progress, if looked at carefully, is not merely the result of motion; it is the result of direction. In development planning—whether governmental or personal—there must be a blueprint, a vision. You cannot build a mansion by randomly stacking bricks. In the same way, Eswatini cannot become industrialised by launching disconnected projects, nor can individuals reach their goals without a well-thought-out plan.
Sustainable development—a principle strongly advocated for today—is about making deliberate choices today that will stand the test of tomorrow. It means evaluating the long-term impact of our actions, considering the needs of future generations, and ensuring that we embed resilience in the systems we design. Be it reforms in education, green energy initiatives, or health infrastructure—the sustainable development we always talk about demands that we think deeply, act wisely and measure results with patience.
THE POWER OF COLLABORATION
No single person or one institution can develop an entire nation—this requires collaboration. Collaboration, as I see it, is not just a catalyst for accelerating development, it is a safeguard against the collapse of what we build. Even those who hold differing ideologies must cooperate when the results will impact everybody. Government must reinforce efforts to work with the private sector, civil society, and local communities. The goal should be to co-create and to co-own the agenda—this is the bedrock of true development.
This same truth applies to individuals. Building a career often requires mentors, networks, and partnerships. Building a home requires not just finances, but emotional support from family. The idea of the self-made success story is not only misleading—it is counterproductive and responsible for the stagnation of otherwise potentially successful businesses and individuals.
CRITICISM: FULTER THE NOISE
If studied closely, the politician’s statement highlights another vital point. He called out the “negative agenda” perpetrated by opponents. Whether politically motivated or not, these kinds of external criticisms often become obstacles—not by their validity, but by their loudness. We all have critics—people who believe we are behind, that we should have more to show for our efforts, that we are simply not enough. These voices, when left unfiltered, can derail our purpose, cause unnecessary agitation in society, and undermine already achieved milestones. But there is a more dangerous voice that throttles progress—the internal one. The voice that whispers, “You’re late.” The one that says, “You’ll never get there.” The voice of comparison, of self-doubt, and of despair. The only remedy is to focus on your journey and the task at hand. As long as you are laying a brick today, you are progressing.
If development is a process, then patience is the virtue that sees it through. Nations that transformed themselves into industrial giants—like South Korea, Singapore, or Rwanda—did so over decades. Their success was not a product of haste, but of a long-term vision implemented with unwavering discipline. Eswatini too can emulate their development models.
A CALL TO CITIZENS AND SELF
This entire discourse serves to challenge the nation: as citizens, we must learn to support development with our patience and participation. We must hold leaders accountable, yes—but we must also understand the timelines of complex transformation. Similarly, we must grant ourselves the same grace. When you have not yet reached your destination, it doesn’t mean you are lost. It simply means you are still travelling—and on course.
CELEBRATE SMALL BEGINNINGS
Keep this in mind always: development comes in progressive stages—whether in politics, society, or personal life. Instead of mocking small beginnings, let us celebrate them as the foundation of phenomenal things in the making. No matter how small your progress keep at it. Laid the first brick? Congratulations! Mix the mortar for the next. Ten years from now, the structure you built be it a life, a country, a company, will not only stand tall; it will stand strong—because it was not rushed. It was raised—relentlessly, intentionally and collaboratively.
Feedback: johnpires@live.com | Cell: 7606 5993 | WhatsApp: 7602 7758
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