25/09/2026
To celebrate Heritage Month, we are revisiting a rich collection of African proverbs, sharing a daily dose of wisdom right through to the end of September. š±
Each proverb in this series was nominated by a valued member of our Free To Grow network, brought to life by our creative team, and paired with a personal reflection from the person who selected it.
Wisdom like this is timelessāand far too valuable to share just once.
Today, we are featuring a proverb and profound insight shared by Ruby Motloheloa, HR Head of Talent Management & Development at Woolworths:
āWhen I sit with this proverb, I am reminded that life, faith, and leadership are never meant to be lived with clenched fists.
Closed hands symbolise fear, scarcity, and self-preservation. When my hands are closed, I cannot give, I cannot receive, and I cannot truly honour God and others with the fullness of my being.
For me, open hands are a way of life. They represent generosity, humility, and trust. To live with open hands is to recognise that everything I haveāmy gifts, my opportunities, my influenceāis not mine to hold onto tightly, but mine to steward with grace.ā