Good Week

Good Week

13 October 2025

“Bon siman — have a good week.” That’s what we say here. As far as I know, we’re the only people in the world who wish each other a good week every Monday. We live from week to week.

Monday night means Maandagavond with Jurgen Arvelo; Wednesday marks the week’s midpoint; Thursday is “little Friday”; and then comes Friday — Thank God it’s Friday! — leading into Biba biba djasabra! And finally, Sunday, for many, the Lord’s Day, a time to go to church. We rarely look beyond the week ahead. Somehow, we trust that this week will be fine.

Right now, the island is gripped by football fever. Our national team’s victory over Jamaica has put us at the top of our group. On Tuesday, we face Trinidad & Tobago to defend that position. Optimism is high.

While everyone’s eyes are on the pitch, something else is unfolding behind the scenes. The excitement around football is so intense that it overshadows the political and governance crisis caused by frictions within the ruling party. If I’m not mistaken, the minister will have to appear before Parliament on Friday to account for his actions — with a motion of no confidence hanging over him.

The release of hostages in the Middle East feels literally far from our beds. The fact that the Netherlands will hold elections again on October 29, with the far right likely to remain dominant, barely registers here. For now, it’s all about football — and if the results stay positive, the euphoria will only grow.

That’s positive energy, and we could use it to transform our country. But for that, we need vision that lasts longer than a week — a plan, leadership, project managers, and skilled, capable people. Just like Coach Dick Advocaat, we need a strong team and a solid game plan that goes beyond one week. I’d be happy to help draw that up.

Miguel Goede