The issue of morality in schools:
I guess that refers to moral
education in the classroom, in
the system, or even in the
home. When that issue does
come up: in debates, in
conferences, or in books, the
intent is somewhat nebulous.
Most writers and speakers seem rather
vague about the intended application of
their offering: Are they providing structured
guidance that can be used by educators in
the classroom to awaken a moral
sensitivity in the youth; or, are they just
lamenting what is missing?

Then I come across a book titled, Stepping
Stones, by Bryan Britton. Published in
2010 and available from Xlibris, Google,
Sony,Kindlebooks, Barnes & Noble, ebay and amazon.

This ‘anthology of moral wisdom’ is a well
categorised collection of ethical common
sense. And that’s what I like about it.

This book is not offering a trite technique
to transcend temptation – there are
enough self-help soft covers out there. This
book is not a whiney whinge of what is not
working; it is not a critical cacophony of
complaints – there is enough senseless
sensationalism out there. This book is not
entirely neutral either; it is neither
unbiased nor reserved – the author has
his say.

And that is what I like about the book.

It is a record of ancient, classical and
contemporary moral quotes and anecdotes
– a reminder of the lessons never learned.
As the author states, “The benefits of
learning, character building, moral
education and religion were lost in the
turmoil of the 1980s and 1990s, resulting
in a rudderless, sometimes murderous
element, pervading South African society.”
Stepping Stones serves as a reminder –
it serves as a silver lining. It tells us what
we can and could – and it refrains from
preachy prattle about what we shall and
should. That is why I enjoyed reading the
book.

The structure and content of
Stepping Stones
• Ancient lessons: Includes The Ten
Commandments, the Beatitudes and
the Deadly Sins.
• Classic lessons: Includes Buddah,
Isaac Newton and Mahatma Ghandi.
• Modern lessons: Includes Martin
Luther King, Eckhart Tolle and
John Demartini.
• Youth topics: Includes success,
happiness and education.
• South African topics: Includes Nelson
Mandela, evil managers and the youth.

The author – Mr Bryan Britton
Educated in South Africa, at Christian
Brothers College and the University of the
Witwatersrand, the author has spent 40
years in the field of financial management.
During this time, he was involved in a wide
variety of industries, ranging from
beverages, security, banking, design,
advertising, venture capital, healthcare,
auditing, stock-broking and software.
Having suffered a stroke in 2005, Bryan
Britton retired from active business and
dedicated himself to writing on topics of
youth, motivation and education.

I Care

The author has pledged 75% of the
proceeds from the book to I Care. This
non-profit organisation is devoted to
finding meaningful and sustainable
solutions to the challenge of street
children in South Africa.
The over-riding motive is to change street
kids from being dependent on society, into
productive members of that society.
I Care raises and channels funds into
awareness, outreach, rehabilitation,
housing/shelter and education.

I strongly urge teachers, learners and
students (even the parents) to purchase a
copy of Stepping Stones. The money goes
for a good cause – and the content
conveys a message we are all sorely
lacking. l
Janos Bozsik – Editor Education Southern Africa Magazine May 2010 Issue

“The educational system in South Africa has failed the young learners of this
new nation,” says author Bryan Britton who has contributed this work as a very
small step in the giant leap necessary to rehabilitate our highly susceptible
youth and help them make sound and moral judgements. There has been
little concern for the aspirations of the young people of South Africa. The
benefits of learning, character building, moral education and religion were lost
in the turmoil of the 1980s and 1990s, resulting in a rudderless, sometimes
murderous element, pervading South African society. The Rainbow Nation is
today the crime mecca of the world, and the ‘haves’ now have more and the
‘have nots’, appallingly less. Can we put an end to this moral decay? Perhaps
adopting sound, non-sexist, non-racial and evergreen wisdom from the past can
be used to commence regenerating the shredded moral fibre of this country?
To aid youngsters in their search for ethics, the author has gathered a selection
of pertinent wisdom from the past. Perhaps young people in South Africa will
see in these excerpts, building blocks with which to construct a viable morality
for their young lives and hence for the country they are destined to inherit.

“When there is a high polarity between the haves and the have nots, there will always
be tension between the two camps and crime is the bye-product. Closing the gap cannot
be done through entitlement. Education and mentoring, which translates into self-worth
and true empowerment, is the only solution”.

-Dr. John F Demartini – Author, Educator and Human Behavioural Specialist.

“I consider that Stepping Stones contains essential reading for all young people. I would have valued such a publication in my own youth”.

-Dr. Lynn Coggin – Author & Management Consultant.

“I hope that the youth of South Africa learn a great deal from this book”

.-Ernest Mchunu – Author & International Business Executive.

“...That is failing in a sacred responsibility that the ANC had to the youth of this country. For it was the youth, more than anyone else, who fought the real war of liberation. They represent the future, and to fail them is to ensure the failure of the future of South Africa”.

-Allister Sparks – Author & Veteran Journalist

The educational system in South Africa has failed the young learners of this new nation,” says author Bryan Britton who has contributed this work as a very small step in the giant leap necessary to rehabilitate our highly susceptible youth and help them make sound and moral judgements. There has been little concern for the aspirations of the young people of South Africa.

The benefits of learning, character building, moral education and religion were lost in the turmoil of the 1980s and 1990s, resulting in a rudderless, sometimes murderous element, pervading South African society. The Rainbow Nation is today the crime mecca of the world, and the ‘haves’ now have more and the ‘have nots’, appallingly less.

Can we put an end to this moral decay? Perhaps adopting sound, non-sexist, non-racial and evergreen wisdom from the past can be used to commence regenerating the shredded moral fibre of this country?

To aid youngsters in their search for ethics, the author has gathered a selection of pertinent wisdom from the past. Perhaps young people in South Africa will see in these excerpts, building blocks with which to construct a viable morality for their young lives and hence for the country they are destined to inherit.


"When there is a high polarity between the haves and the have nots, there will always be tension between the two camps and crime is the bye-product. Closing the gap cannot be done through entitlement. Education and mentoring, which translates into self-worth and true empowerment, is the only solution”. Dr. John F Demartini – Author, Educator and Human Behavioural Specialist

“I consider that Stepping Stones contains essential reading for all young people. I would have valued such a publication in my own youth”. Dr. Lynn Coggin – Author & Management Consultant

“I hope that the youth of South Africa learn a great deal from this book”. Ernest Mchunu – Author & International Business Executive

“...That is failing in a sacred responsibility that the ANC had to the youth of this country. For it was the youth, more than anyone else, who fought the real war of liberation in this country. They represent the future, and to fail them is to ensure the failure of the future of South Africa”. Allister Sparks – Author & Veteran Journalist

The way forward for the youth of South Africa

Released by Ulwazi, 10:59AM (GMT) October 11th, 2010 (Your-Story.org)

A book aimed at helping young people in South Africa acknowledges the significance of education and good ethical conduct has been written by Bryan Britton, a retired financial expert based in Durban.

With the aim of helping young people search for good moral values, Britton provides several insights and biblical quotes in the book that will enable the youth to see building blocks with which to create a viable morality for the country and their lives.

Britton’s book, Stepping Stones, attempts to give the youth a foundation for moral judgements and decisions that they may have to make in their promising lives.

According to Britton, the government spent over five percent of Gross Domestic Product on education during the post-apartheid era. However, there has been little or no improvement in the number of matriculants being generated by the post-apartheid system.

“I am genuinely concerned about the failure of the education system in South Africa and about the poor quality of leadership being delivered by the system,” Britton said.

Britton said that, regrettably, the teachers – whom one would assume to be worried about the state of education – racked up the highest number of days on strike of all trade unions.

“If such a state of affairs continues, South Africa’s alarming numbers of unemployed, about a quarter of those economically active will not be reduced through an investment in education.”

The book is made up of chapters that deal with a wide range of issues affecting the youth; from conventional wisdom extracted from icons like Sir Winston Churchill, Martin Luther King and Oscar Wilde, lifeskills for the youth to political, cultural and educational challenges faced by young South Africans.

Stepping Stones is a self-help book, one that is different from other self help books in that it is current and is specifically tailored to the needs of all young South Africans, regardless of race or gender.

Bryan Britton studied at Christian Brothers College and the University of the Witwatersrand. He has 40 years of experience in the financial management field.

Stepping Stones is available from xlibris, google books, amazon, kindlebooks, sony books and barnes & noble

Street kids

THEY hang about the intersections pestering motorists for hand-outs. Where did they come from? We wish they would go away, our consciences are uneasy. And what happens when they grow up? Do they graduate to serious crime?

Retired Durban business executive Bryan Britton has had enough of it. He's determined to do something to help lift the street children out of their predicament, get them into an acceptable mode of living. He believes society and the state have let them down and have no programme to rescue them.

But what does one do? Britton's contribution has been to put together a book that draws on the religious/ethical precepts of the ancient world and the modern world to set a framework for the youth of today. Stepping Stones (Reach Publishers) brings together aphorisms from a range of sources – from ancient Rome to the Bible to eastern philosophy to modern European philosophy - all focusing on the requirements for a balanced and meaningful life.

The proceeds will go to I Care, a registered charity that seeks to bring street children back into productive society and into an environment where those precepts can have meaning. The book can be ordered at xlibris, amazon, google books, sony reader, barnes & noble. Google bryan britton stepping stones

Incredible collection of moral and ethical wisdom from most of the acknowledged thinkers throughout history. This book is a guide to anyone striving to better themselves and gain a healthy self respect. One is lead on a journey of introspection to strive for the highest ideals a human being could have.

“The value and beauty of Bryan Britton's "Stepping Stones" is that the reader can, randomly, open any page and - instantly - find truly valuable advice, lessons and wisdom from our Elders - both past & present.

Any youngster at heart (aged 15 or 50 - it matters not) who reads this book cannot help but be inspired with insight as well as with Hope for the Future.

Let us make our South Africa of the Future truly GREAT. Read the book!

I highly recommend it to all those who love this country and who may be wondering as to what the future may hold.” December 22, 2010

Top qualities: Great Results, Good Value, High Integrity

1st Peter Forder