This archive report was first published on 20 October 2019.
As I reflect on my childhood, I recall a close friend of my father's who embodied the paradox of wealth. He was a self-made man who accumulated riches in his youth, but his life was a testament to the futility of material wealth.
On the surface, he appeared to be a struggling villager, clad in worn-out clothes and driving an old Peugeot pick-up that broke down frequently. Yet, he owned a fleet of rental houses, vast tracts of land, and substantial bank accounts. His children, however, lived a meager life, with only one of six siblings managing to complete secondary school.
When he passed away, his family went on a spending spree, buying cars they couldn't afford and indulging in lavish meals. However, within a few months, they had sold most of the land he had left behind, opting to keep only the rental properties that now provided them with a comfortable income.
His story serves as a reminder that true happiness and contentment often lie in living in the moment, rather than constantly striving for wealth and material possessions. As I work towards securing a comfortable future, I am reminded to invest in the present, for tomorrow is uncertain.
My community's obsession with buying land, often through loans that will take decades to repay, is a cautionary tale of the dangers of getting caught up in the pursuit of wealth. While owning land is essential, buying multiple plots that may never generate income is a recipe for financial shackles.
