South Africans share pride in our beloved country

WHAT is up with the South African psyche that one Facebook page can change much of the national social media conversation from negativity and despair to hope and love?

#Imstaying, which Cape Town real estate entrepreneur Jarette Petzer started this month, has acquired more than 250 000 members in less than three weeks, and touched many hearts.

“I didn’t realise how desperately hungry my soul was for a post like this,” read a post shared by Faith Jannaway.

According to a psychologist, who did not wish to be named for professional reasons, the success of #Imstaying is probably because of confirmation bias.

“That is, when human beings struggle with a dilemma, when a lot is at stake, and they have to make a choice, they need encouragement in support of that choice,” he said.

He said the reverse was probably happening in Auckland, Sydney and London among groups who say “we did the right thing by emigrating”.

The psychologist added that in spite of it not being a litmus test result of the psyche of this nation, it was “heartening”. This week, the launch of #Imstaying prompted an analysis article titled “the Economic Power of Good News”.

“Why is this so important?” analyst Sharon Wood wrote. “Not only is the stream of positive news about South Africa in this small, but growing online community encouraging, but it is also a keen reminder that it is confidence that builds economies and nations.

“That is why consumer and business confidence indices are viewed as such important leading economic indicators the world over.”

Petzer said he started #Imstaying after an epiphany while feeling desperate about the state of South Africa, then deciding he was being more part of the problem than the solution. What do you think is important life lesson to learn?

Patience.

What’s a great fan moment that comes to mind?

Recently, a fan who moved to Malaysia sent me a message on Instagram to tell me that when someone she met there heard she was from South Africa, the first thing they asked her was whether she knew Connell Cruise.