For those of you who have followed my yearly Manifestos, I know this may come as a surprise. This year, I am transitioning from Manifestos to Charters.
Manifestos have long been a way for me to share my aspirations and reflections, often with a focus on outward impact — building systems, inspiring others, and contributing to the broader world.
But 2025 is different. It marks the beginning of a deeply personal journey, one that calls for a new kind of document — a Charter.
Charters are promises to myself, rooted in authenticity and alignment with my core values. They reflect an inward focus while still inviting others to witness and, perhaps, draw inspiration.
This shift also marks the start of a 10-year commitment, where each year’s Charter will build on the last, creating a roadmap for intentional growth and meaningful impact. The Keystone Charter is the first of these, symbolizing the foundation of everything I aim to create in the years ahead.
2025 is a year of transitions, a year that feels like the hinge on which the doors of my life swing. There’s a sense of gravity about it — a weight that grounds me but also propels me forward. This Charter, "The Keystone Charter," is my guide for what will undoubtedly be one of the most profound years of my life.
The keystone, as we know, holds the arch together, lending it strength and coherence. This year, I want to embody that strength—to be the steady point around which my personal, professional, and family aspirations revolve.
I’ve spent years focused outward — building systems, mentoring people, creating platforms — but this year calls me to root everything in something deeper, something closer to home. It’s a year in which authenticity takes centre stage, where every choice I make becomes a deliberate act of alignment with my values.
The Keystone Charter is not just a plan; it’s a promise to live intentionally and to build a life that resonates with who I truly am.
So what are my core foundations for 2025?
The Keystone Charter rests on four essential pillars, each representing a facet of the life I’m crafting:
Family First: This pillar reminds me that my first responsibility, my truest purpose, begins and ends with the people closest to me. It’s about presence — not just in body but in spirit — about showing up in ways that matter and leaving no doubt that my priorities lie where they should.
Authentic Leadership: Authenticity is not just a buzzword to me; it’s the bedrock of how I want to lead and live. Whether I’m speaking on a stage, mentoring a colleague, or simply reflecting in solitude, I want every word, every action, to be an unfiltered expression of who I am. Leadership, to me, isn’t about power; it’s about truth.
I believe I have embodied this quite well over the course of my career, I have stayed true to myself and BEING myself — maybe even a little too well. I have also learnt that being “brutally honest” is much more cruelty than kindness, so I would want my authenticity in 2025 to reflect a change in this.
Legacy Building: Every action this year — from taking WMS Africa out of a closed beta (of sorts) to the choices I make in my personal life — is part of a larger story I’m writing.
Legacy isn’t just what we leave behind; it’s what we live out every day. This pillar asks me to consider: What am I creating that will outlast me?
I am consistently reminded of something I have seen on Eli Daniel-Wilson’s bio on Twitter (I will NEVER call it X). He says something about “building the longest table”, and for me that is a form of legacy — building something that outlasts you and leaves a long-lasting impression of your authentic self.
I have spent years building stuff for people and the companies I work with. That in itself is a legacy - that the story of some of the best brands cannot be told without my name, but I am looking forward to doing more in more intentional ways in 2025.
Intentional Growth: Growth for growth’s sake doesn’t interest me any more. The goal now is to grow in ways that matter, to expand in directions that align with my values and my vision for the future.
Roles, titles and portfolios are all nice and great but having worked in the corporate world proper since sometime 2011, I can see the musical chairs a bit more clearly for what it is now, just musical chairs.
This year, I’m choosing sustainability—for my energy, my ambitions, and my relationships.
Specific Goals
This year’s goals are ambitious but deeply personal. Each one feels like a thread in the tapestry I’m weaving—a tapestry of family, work, and impact.
Personal Goals:
- Presence is my mantra. I want to show up — for myself, for my family, and for the quiet moments that so often get lost in the rush of life.
- Begin writing reflective letters again, to self and to YOU. These letters will capture what I’m learning, feeling, and experiencing this year, as a way to create a living record of my journey.
- Deepen my mindfulness practices. Whether it’s through journaling, quiet mornings, or intentional time away from screens, I’m committing to moments of stillness.
Professional Goals:
- This is the year WMS moves from baby idea to reality. I will officially establish the company, define its mission, and map out a strategic plan for its growth.
- Continue to expand my public speaking engagements, focusing on topics that matter deeply to me: authenticity, leadership, and the importance of legacy.
- Strengthen my mentorship initiatives, creating opportunities for young Africans to thrive in ways that align with their unique potential.
Community Goals:
- Partner with organizations that align with WMS' mission, amplifying our collective impact. I have a foundation called “Futures Faster” that I intend to launch for this. This ties into the below.
- Support educational initiatives in the digital and finance space, particularly those focused on empowering youth in underserved communities.
- Advocate for systems that encourage intentional living and leadership, using my voice and platforms as tools for change.
What lessons from 2024 have shaped this
2024 was a year of contrasts—a year of significant progress in some areas and quiet delays in others.
I’ve learned that building people is as much about patience as it is about action. The scholarships, mentorships, and public speaking engagements of last year reminded me of the power of investing in others, even when the results aren’t immediately visible.
At the same time, my delay in "building products" taught me something just as valuable: that progress isn’t always linear.
Sometimes, the best-laid plans take longer to materialize, and that’s okay. What matters is persistence and a willingness to adapt.
These lessons form the foundation of this Charter, reminding me to embrace both action and reflection as I move forward.
This Charter isn’t just a personal document; it’s an invitation for you to also consider your own lives and legacies. Take these from me;
- When your actions align with your values, life takes on a clarity and purpose that no amount of external validation can provide. That’s the power of alignment
- Whether in business, family, or personal growth, a strong foundation is essential. Take the time to build it well. That’s the importance of foundations.
- Growth without introspection is like wandering without a map. Take stock of where you’ve been to better chart where you’re going. That’s the role of reflection.
Keeping myself in check
Accountability is what turns intentions into realities. This year, I’ll hold myself accountable through:
- Monthly reflections on how well I’m living out this Charter, particularly in balancing family, work, and personal growth. I will publicly share each monthly reflection - what better way to hold myself accountable than to do so in public.
- Transparent updates on WMS Africa’s progress, inviting feedback and collaboration from trusted advisors.
- Regular conversations with my mentors, ensuring that I remain grounded and aligned with my larger goals.
I’ll also continue to journal, capturing the lessons, challenges, and milestones of this year — a practice that not only holds me accountable but also allows me to celebrate the journey as it unfolds. Trust me when I say this, “a daily journal will reflect more growth for you than anything else” - quote me on that.
The keystone is more than a set of goals; it’s a declaration of what I want 2025 to mean. It’s a promise to live authentically, to build a life that reflects my deepest values, and to create a legacy that begins with the choices I make today.
As I navigate the joys and challenges of this pivotal year, I hold fast to the belief that alignment is everything. When we align our actions with our values, we don’t just live—we thrive.
Here’s to 2025—a year of crafting legacy and amplifying authenticity, one deliberate step at a time.