I have just been fortunate to spend some time in Europe, I am now happy to be home and back in my own bed. Sometimes South Africans are simply their own worst enemies, and only report on the negativity in our country and ignore all the positives. While we all think life is better there, grass is not always greener on the other side of the ocean, except in Ireland where it’s always wet 😊
South Africa has been ranked 118 out of 163 countries in the 2022 Global Peace Index (GPI), its best rating in 14 years, this is despite last year’s violent and prolonged July riots, which led to the deaths of more than 300 people. Yes, we have a long way to go to compete with Iceland, Ireland, and Denmark but it’s an improvement!
South Africa is relatively unaffected by the war in Ukraine from a spend point of view. Yes, oil and grain imports will affect us like it affects the rest of the world, but we are pretty excluded against stray missiles.
South Africa has the potential to have a bigger growth than Europe or the USA in 2022 – 2023. BUT the government needs to step aside and allow business to flourish. State owned entities need to have professionals in management positions that are capable of rebuilding these entities. These entities were world class enterprises that have just rotted from the top down over the years.
I would further suggest that the Government needs to cut the red tape for business and incentivise international companies to enter a massive growth potential country.
Redistribute the money that is used to prop up the state-owned entities to small business and assist entrepreneurs in employing staff to cut the large unemployment rate in SA. Lastly, recover the stolen Billions and use this to repay the World bank debt!
While the initial objectives of BBBEE, Employment Equity, OHS and the likes started with an honorable purpose they have become cumbersome, time consuming and a burden on companies.
Time to possibly go back to basics? – why can companies simply not adopt schools and Creches and build a new generation of educated youth in our country in place of BEE?
While this is happening, incentivise the international companies to invest and put professionals in the state-owned entities to recreate stable power generation, a reliable transport and rail infrastructure.
In the meantime, we are a resilient bunch who will survive B-BBEE, EE, OHS and the rest.
I welcome your comments.
Sincerely
Hilton Johnson
CEO – Compliance Hub
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