People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.”

These humorous words tend to be attributed to Winnie-the-Pooh. But I am afraid these were not Pooh’s words, and neither were they the words of author AA Milne, who wrote of Winnie-the-Pooh in 1926. These are, in fact, the words of Theodor Rosyfelt – not the more famous Theodore Roosevelt, whose name Google throws up when you search for the former. Rosyfelt uttered these words in 1906. But who is Theodor Rosyfelt? Not even Google knows.

What I really like about Rosyfelt’s take on ‘impossible’ is that, when you read the first five words, you anticipate a foray into the domain of one of those monotone motivational posters, but then the next six words turn such thoughts upside down, even forcing a reread.

Want another take on ‘impossible’? Well, you might want to heed the words of Belgian actress Audrey Hepburn. And there you thought she was American! Hepburn reminds me of the book that I am currently reading: The Book of General Ignorance: Everything you think you know is wrong. It echoes the words of Ronald Reagan, the American actor-turned-President: “It isn’t so much that liberals are ignorant. It’s just that they know so many things that aren’t so.”

But I digress. Hepburn, the Belgian actress, says: “Nothing is impossible, the word itself says I’m possible!”

With the end of the year fast approaching, with the associated customary reflection on the year that we have lived and experienced, I have started contemplating the columns I have written this year. In doing so, I have realised that, in too many of my columns, the focus has been on ‘them’, rather than on ‘us’ – those of us who want to make a difference by holding up a mirror. I do not want to be melodramatic, but columns, although they might be considered by some to be a form of ‘edutainment’, also provide a reflection on aspects of the South African society.

Columns like this one might well not change the South African society, but if they play a small part in influencing the way we make sense of the South Africa we live in, then they would have achieved their objective. In all that South Africa is experiencing and is still to experience, do not underestimate your own impact.

Many years ago, my mother gave me what I though was a business card, but it turned out to be the first paragraph of the Serenity Prayer: “God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things that I can; and wisdom to know the difference.” I look at the business card as a daily challenge. When I do so, I now think of it in the context of the Mission Impossible movies. It feels a bit like hearing those immortal words: “Good morning, Mr De Lange . . . Your mission, should you decide to accept it, is to (mission: Serenity Prayer). As always, should you be caught, the secretary will disavow any knowledge of your actions. This business card will self-destruct in five seconds.” You might recognise the movie franchise’s catchphrases, with a hint of poetic licence.

Even with all the strife in South Africa, the country cannot function in isolation. It simply cannot. The world is a global village. As a consequence, South Africa must align its policies with international convention. Any reluctance to do so could easily be remedied by international intervention and sanction.

The challenges facing South Africa are not insurmountable; it will be difficult, very difficult indeed, but not impossible, to overcome them. This is only possible if you do something, if you contribute, rather than do nothing.