April 20, 2021
KVV | A Note from our Director
By now almost everyone has heard or encountered phrases such as “the new normal” or even more hectic concepts like “VUCA” (Volatility, Uncertainty, Complexity and Ambiguity). No doubt the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic threw the world, as we know it, into a tailspin. Suddenly we found ourselves in the world of uncertainty. We started having discussions we never had before regarding our reality and its volatility. Many became alive to what is important and began to appreciate even the insignificant. A colloquial “walk in the park” was yearned for. Just to make a point.
Our reality may have been bended by a pandemic. However, I submit that it is equally true that humans have experienced worse. Imagine a pandemic in an age where there is no advanced communication, medical devices and advanced science to treat or manage the pandemic. Without digressing I wish to make a point that the human journey is that of resilience.
There have been instances in history where cities were levelled by war, people left hopeless by unexpected life events like the emergence of a pandemic. However, through it all, what has proved to be consistent in every encounter is human resilience. Levelled cities were raised more majestic and what was a novel organism became old and understood.
Like most people, at the peak of the pandemic, when all was but bleak I subscribed to the notion of the “new normal”. But recently, perhaps controversially so I have stated that all I see is return to the “normal” and the “new normal” appears to be dissipating. Perhaps I am experiencing and observing the effects of resilience. Where things inevitably normalize. This is my personal opinion.
The COVID-19 pandemic continues to ravage lifes and livelihoods. The cost is too much. The best we can do, I would argue, is to sustain each other while the storm withers. We can do so by extending a helping hand where we can. Protect others by complying to established protocols to curb the spread and be generous where circumstances permit.
I agree with the view that many of the challenges we are facing e.g., economic challenges, existed before the pandemic and were elevated by the advent of COVID-19. Perhaps this is an opportunity for a different perspective on all old challenges and I do not propose a solution. I am however convinced that like many challenges faced before the resilience of humanity will prevail. Despite the costs that we shall count, some recoverable and some, such as the precious human life, not recoverable, the resilience of humanity will prevail.
I am reminded of the brilliance of Walt Whitman as he expresses the passing of a leader just when victory is achieved and laments “O Captain! My Captain!”. Even though there are casualties in this crisis, humanity will prevail. A “new” story will be written and the future will read it when things are “normal”. The human journey is that of resilience.
Though disasters may befall humanity, humanity has a future. At this point allow me to borrow from an age-old wisdom – Jeremiah 29:11 For I know the plans I have for you – this is the LORD’s declaration – plans for your welfare, not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope – I therefore conclude that the human resilience is ordained and divine.
Kind Regards
Joseph Leotlela | Director
January 13, 2021
A Note from our Director
Dear Client
I trust you have had time to reflect on 2020 and spend quality time with loved ones over the festive period.
What can we expect from the property market This year? Although 2020 has taught us that we should not try and predict the future, let’s look at a short overview of where we are at the moment.
As a result of the low-interest rates, the lowest in 50 years, a great opportunity developed for South Africans to enter the property market or even purchase investments properties. Tenants and first time home buyers are now able to afford to buy properties. People can afford bigger houses, with the prospects of working from home also becoming a reality. Although the stats indicate that millennials are still hesitant to purchase, the average age of buyers is younger. The forecast is that the interest rate will remain stable for the rest of the year.
The additional stress that COVID-19 has caused in the economy, like unemployment, has filtered down to the household, not just financially but also personally. The result has been an increase in property sales caused by forced sales and even unfortunate events like divorces. We could also expect an increase in distressed property to enter the market, leading to more competitive house prices. I recommend that you use expert agents and mortgage originators to assist with finding accurate market-related property prices and finance options.
Compliments for 2021, remember the lessons learned from 2020. To not plan too far ahead, be adaptable and agile this year! Let us hold on to our faith, celebrate our small daily “wins” and control the controllable’s.
Finally let us remember to have some fun every now and then!
Regards
Diaan Van Wyk | Director
December 17, 2020
A Note from our Director | December 2020
Dear Client
We are almost through 2020. What a year it has been. I have learnt that life happens on its own despite our own planning or expectations. How we respond to the unexpected is what determines the real outcome.
I have been in a wheelchair for eight years now. My wife has a photo of us dancing at a wedding in the November just before the accident. Little did we know that was the last dance we would have had. As the song goes save the last dance for me. The lesson for me now in 2020 is to have that last dance, because tomorrow may not come. Enjoy the moment and be present in the moment. Time is precious and all of us have the same minutes per day. Make them count. Make the call, go on the date, write the book, and do whatever it is you dream of. If not today when? Tomorrow might change, or worse, it may never come.
I wish you all a very merry Christmas and prosperous new year. My wish for you is to be present in the moment and live life to its fullest. We all have the time and ourselves to give and dedicate to others. Let’s make it a better world for you and me and the entire human race.
2020 gave us a world of opportunities to do just that. Let us continue with it into 2021.
Kind Regards
Roy Kapp | Director
August 19, 2020
A Note from our Directors | August 2020
August is Women’s Month and at KVV Inc we decided to celebrate this month in true KVV style, taking into account the difficult economic circumstances our country is facing at the moment due to the Covid 19 situation. Big events and festivities are sadly out of the question – not only because budgets are tight and Lock Down rules only allows 50 people to gather at a time, but more importantly because we all want to adhere to the rules of Social Distancing to keep each other safe.
One of the biggest impacts of the pandemic is not necessarily economic, but the emotional and psychological toll that the “new normal” has on the citizens of the world. Not only are people losing their jobs and their income, but they are deprived of the support of something as simple but emotionally important as a hug from a friend, a family member, a colleague.
Therefore, we decided that in this Women’s Month it is up to us women to build each other up and motivate each other to create a wave of positive thoughts and inspiration to lift each other up. As Donna Karan said: “I believe in the Power of Women. As nurturers, we have a unique ability to care and share and make the world a better place. Women who inspire are women who are making a difference”.
In difficult times like these one must stand together as a family. At KVV we regard our staff, clients, business partners, friends and colleagues all as part of the KVV Family, and in this Women’s Month more specifically as part of the “Women of KVV”.
The Women of KVV are Kind, Visionary and Victorious. They are an inspiration to each other. They keep each other motivated and uplifted during difficult times and like true sisters they are there for each other through thick and thin.
Follow our “Women of KVV” campaign on our website and on our social media this August and meet the amazing and inspirational women who are all part of our amazing family.
February 20, 2020
A Note from our Director
The year is now in full swing. Allow me to confront you with a simple and obvious question at this stage, one which you may not be keen to hear, particularly if you have been slack on the subject. But perhaps this is the question that we all need to hear. Lest I digress too far, here is my question: have you had the first piece? Borrowing from another popular adage the question can be posed differently with the same meaning by saying: have you taken the first single step? In case I have lost you by now, you have all heard the metaphorical question “how do you eat an elephant”. We are all familiar with the answer that an elephant is eaten one piece at a time. We are equally familiar with the saying that “a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step”.
The question I ask seeks to instigate taking stock of the most critical part of your goals i.e. the start. I believe there is no perfect time to do that or to simply remind ourselves of our goals and why we have them. My colleagues and I have at one point or another referred to the goals that we set for ourselves as individuals, organizations and businesses. In most instances we set goals without fail in the form of New Year resolutions, performance objectives etc. I am certain that most people have set goals for themselves.
I have observed the difference between two types of mindsets, which can be explained in descriptive terms by using the analogy of a pest problem. I am sure that many people will relate to my observation. When confronted with a pest problem the one mindset will react by reaching for a pesticide and deal with the problem. The other mindset will investigate the source of the pests including the behavior of the pests and use the information as a point of departure in dealing with the problem. Quite frankly I prefer the pesticide mindset. However, the latter approach reflects prudence as it is based on the understanding of what you are dealing with.
It is important to understand why we set goals. Maybe before we even embark on them. Perhaps we have come to accept that when you aim at nothing, you will hit it every time. Therefore, we must aim at something. The aim being a means to our goal. Sometimes we need not ponder on past failures which discourages us. Sometimes all we need is to understand the value of setting a goal (I do not trivialize the importance of earnest efforts to achieve goals I am merely emphasizing the point of having goals). The words “vision” and “objectives” amongst others, may not technically be synonyms for “goal” and one may breach the rules by using them interchangeably, but they equally describe the many forms that the important exercise of looking forward to something takes. I believe that goals are a “compass”, they take you somewhere!
Many people would be wary to become part of something which aims at nothing. Hence it has become, at least in my view, a standard for leadership in business and any other formation to have goals. The same should be true at an individual level. You must be wary to follow yourself if you do not have a vision (goal).
Perhaps I should refrain from entering what could be the preserve of esteemed philosophers and get back to my question and the moral of my story. Your goals may be the size of an elephant or a journey before you may be of a thousand miles. Bite the first piece. Take the first step. Do not underestimate the importance of small beginnings. If I may give advice, the trick is never to stop. If you have endured the first piece of the elephant and have taken the first single step of the journey, never stop. It is the small beginnings which lead to the destination. For the remainder of the period of your goals do not stop.
Kind Regards
Joseph Leotlela | Director
January 15, 2020
KVV | January 2020 Directors Note
Most of the country has had an opportunity to settle into the new year and reflect on what 2019 
taught us. Now that January is well on its way, we can do some cross-checking regarding readiness for 2020.
I am sure that we are strapped in and that the launch signal has been given. Are we skilled enough to not only survive 2020 but to thrive in abundance?
According to Forbes, there are a handful of critical skills that are non-negotiable if we want to set ourselves apart from the rest of the pack.
These skills are:
- DATA LITERACY
- CRITICAL THINKING
- TECH SAVVINESS
- ADAPTABILITY AND FLEXIBILITY
- CREATIVITY
- EQ
- CULTURAL INTELLIGENCE AND DIVERSITY
- LEADERSHIP SKILLS
- JUDGEMENT AND COMPLEX DECISION MAKING
- COLLABORATION
At KVV, we are very intentional regarding what we focus on and how we spend our time. Hence, we believe that by developing and equipping ourselves with skills that matter, we will create the most value, for our clients and business partners. These skills and competencies will create even more capacity to thrive, be utterly successful and to deliver brilliant, constant service to all our stakeholders.
Uncharted territories await us, with heart, minds and hands filled with the appropriate and necessary skills, we will ensure that we are ready to blaze the new trails.
Let’s embrace our partnerships and conquer 2020!
Have a blessed 2020!
Kind Regards
Diaan Van Wyk | Director
December 19, 2019
KVV | December 2019 Directors Note
The year 2019 has reached its inevitable end. It gets me every year how fast time flies. Before long we will welcome the year 2020. It seems not too long ago when we were facing the year 2000 and everyone was spreading doom and gloom stories about the new millennium.
Now, 20 years down the line, we are privileged to look back on the first 5th of this millennium and be thankful that despite all the difficulties it did bring, it certainly did not bring doom and gloom. We as humans tend to always expect the worst and focus on the negative. The only thing that we know for certain about the New Year and the next 20 years of this millennium is that we do not know anything for sure. Will the world end? Will we live to see the year 2040? Nobody knows.
However what we do know is that the choice is up to us how we are going to walk into this new era. We also know that time is not guaranteed to any of us – time is precious and only we ourselves can decide how we are going to spend the time we have in the lives we live. Are we going to spend it wisely, positively, building up and leaving a legacy? Or are we going to just arrive at the end of every year with nothing to show but yet another year’s time wasted.
My wish for you this Christmas is that you spend your time wisely. Fill your cup with love and laughter whilst spending time with your loved ones. Rest if you can and take time to take care of yourself. And in the year 2020, walk into this next phase of life with courage and conviction on the path that will make each day of your life worth living.
Merry Christmas!
Kind Regards
Mariëtte van Zyl | Director
November 11, 2019
November 2019 Directors Note
Winning the 2019 World cup, with such courage. Courage means someone has your back. Today the Bokke played with courage and they had each other’s backs. Because of this each player’s confidence soared as the game progressed. The slogan “stronger together” came to life like never before.
The team is always stronger than the sum of the parts. The Bokke, a team second to none. Rassie the coach, the strategist, planning, communicating his plan, and demanding the best players that suits his plan. They played the Rassie way. Many have criticized players for the way they played in the world cup. They sucked it up and played the Rassie way. Today the Bokke are the World Champions.
The most amazing thing is Rassie was appointed with specific instructions/vision. Transformation needs to be embraced and be reflected in his team selection. He embraced it and planned accordingly. The urgency with which he worked the change needed, not only to win, but also to do it the South African way, was phenomenal.
He turned a team, a country (dare I say) around in 18 Months. Everybody else always talks about a four year plan to prepare for the next world cup. Rassie believed in the vision, he communicated the vision, and he got the buy in from his selected players, together they practiced and implemented the game plan and together they won the 2019 World cup.
What lessons can we learn from this fantastic world cup 2019 journey?
- Leaders that have the vision of the new normal and the urgency to follow through on the vision.
- Courage to change when change is needed to become that new normal.
- To communicate the new normal.
- Team players with courage and discipline to embrace the change needed to become our new normal.
- A plan that shows the way to our new normal.
- The courage to execute the plan that creates the new normal.
- The result to lift the Cup sooner rather than later.
September 20, 2019
A Note from our Directors | September 2019
We as humans have the capacity to grow and shrink our intellect, we can literally become smarter or not…. The brain is like any other organ, if left unconditioned, it will weaken, but if it is trained, it will strengthen and become stronger – aka – smarter!
Intelligence is far more fluid than previously thought and our brains are a lot more malleable than they are rigid.
This raises exciting possibilities when it comes to business and the way we operate as a system. If individuals become serious about growth and if they engage in meaningful brain-stimulating practises, collectively we can become stronger and smarter. It does, however, start with the individual, you and me… Some of these activities that cause neurons to fire and grow are exercising, ( aerobic exercises has proven to grow verbal intelligence by as much as 50% – Maria Aberg) reading, meditating, playing an instrument and surrounding yourself with people that are forward-thinking and that has a positive attitude!
We should all start to challenge the conventional methods of training (not disregarding the importance of various training needs such as soft skills etc.) We can start to train our brain to be smarter just by adopting an attitude of gratitude and erasing negative thoughts.
Personal responsibility and accountability have never been larger! We are in charge of our performance and savviness. Our growth is in our own hands. No one can let your belly shrink and form a six-pack for you… and no one can grow our brain-cells for you … KVV strives to cultivate a culture where all stakeholders have the opportunity and awareness of the vast opportunity for growth.
Let us take charge of the new season and be smarter tomorrow than what we are today!
June 5, 2019
May 2019 – A Note from our Directors
Has the dust settled?
Post 8 May, we are all expecting a turn and shift in the economy and as to how the appetite for business will increase.
Dust was kicked up prior to the elections and this has resulted in some hesitance to invest. We however want to assure all our partners of a steadfast service with no dust clouds. The economy and political environment may well be on a seesaw, but KVV has remained constant in delivering beyond reproach results. We believe that through doing our part with excellence, it will have a knock-on effect on all those around us. This in particular, should be our focus – not to be fixated on the negative, but to keep our eyes on the positive, the potential and the opportunities!
In the midst of the political roars, our plea and stance remain one of optimism. We are expecting growth, we are expecting to thrive, and we are expecting to expand! It is when an olive is pressed that the gorgeous oil is produced, and it is when the heat is turned up that we press through to the oasis.
Our vision is not blurred – we are more focused than ever. So, let us remain your partner of choice.
Kind Regards
Diaan van Wyk | Director