{"id":4098,"date":"2024-07-04T12:26:14","date_gmt":"2024-07-04T10:26:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/arenaevents.africa\/events\/the-directors-event\/?p=4098"},"modified":"2024-07-04T14:51:24","modified_gmt":"2024-07-04T12:51:24","slug":"reflecting-on-sas-journey-30-years-of-democracy-and-beyond","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/arenaevents.africa\/events\/the-directors-event\/reflecting-on-sas-journey-30-years-of-democracy-and-beyond\/","title":{"rendered":"Reflecting on SA’s Journey – 30 Years of Democracy and Beyond"},"content":{"rendered":"

Although SA has made significant strides in creating a more equal society in the post-apartheid era, the country remains challenged by corruption, unemployment, poor education and poverty. Is the new government of national unity an opportunity to embark on a more positive trajectory and ensure a more stable economy? These were some of the burning issues discussed at the recent Sunday Times Directors Event, sponsored by BCX, held in Johannesburg. Dubbed SA\u2019s biggest board meeting, The Directors Event is an annual conference year which puts the spotlight on the burning issues facing the business sector and suggests possible solutions to the country\u2019s most pressing problems.<\/p>\n

There can be no denying that SA stands at a critical juncture. In an era that promise greater public-private sector collaboration, businesses have an opportunity to relook how they work with government and learn from public-private partnerships. It\u2019s also an opportunity to find sustainable solutions to alleviate poverty and youth unemployment.<\/p>\n

Chief financial officer at BCX, Cheryl-Jane Kujenga said that in a challenging economic landscape, it\u2019s easy to forget the great strides the country has made in the last three decades including the fact that millions have been lifted out of poverty and are now active economic participants. While SA has challenges, there are green shoots, she insisted. These green shoots include indications that SA is preserving and strengthening its democracy as a means of securing an economic recovery. While SA\u2019s two largest political parties have come together as part of a government of national unity, the next step will be to implement sensible economic reforms.<\/p>\n

\u201cSA has a historic opportunity with the government of national unity to make another new start. Encouragingly, business is already collaborating with government to solve multiple crisis including in the energy and logistics sectors,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Kujenga called on government to move away from short-termism to focus on value creation rather than short term financial gain.<\/p>\n

The keynote address, titled \u2018How courageous leadership can impact SA beyond 2024\u2019, was delivered by Mteto Nyati, Eskom chair and the executive chairman of consulting and technology company BSG. SA\u2019s current position, he said, is the result of the choices the country has made. He agreed that the government of national unity is an opportunity to make better choices as we chart a new path for the country.<\/p>\n

Nyati identified five potential interventions for SA that would have the greatest impact in the shortest possible time. They include an inclusive and bold vision; the restoration of law and order; the implementation of a market economy; a firm stance on non-alignment as far as foreign policy is concerned; and employing only the best person for the job. These interventions, he said, would create a sense of belonging for all South Africans, improve safety and security, ensure inclusive growth, prioritise the national interest and develop a high-performance culture. <\/span><\/p>\n

Three panel discussions followed. The first panel discussion, which included BCX\u2019s Stefan Steffen, UCT\u2019s Professor Deshen Moodley and CSIR chair and CEO of Ilitha Telecommunications Vuyani Jarana, discussed AI\u2019s place in SA. AI is rapidly becoming an integral part of our lives. However, although government has implemented an AI policy, it is not investing enough in the technology, including in foundational technologies and developing more AI developers. To remain competitive businesses have to invest in AI and digitisation. It\u2019s important that this space is unlocked to deliver the biggest benefits and ensure SA remains globally competitive.<\/p>\n

The second panel discussion, which included the Black Business Council\u2019s Kganki Matabane; the National Planning Commission\u2019s Ravi Naidoo; Krutham economist Peter Attard Montalto; and B4SA\u2019s Martin Kingston, put the spotlight on public-private partnerships.<\/p>\n

Encouragingly, business and government have started to work much more closely, including through Business for South Africa (B4SA), an alliance of South African business leaders working with government and other social partners to step up, lead and help create and deliver sustainable solutions for SA. B4SA works collaboratively with government on key interventions in energy, logistics, crime and corruption \u2013 with water soon to be added – to implement structural reform and improve operational assets.<\/p>\n

While public-private partnerships are regarded as positive, regulations governing these agreements are too onerous and need to be relooked, agreed the panel. Simultaneously, government needs to create an enabling environment for small businesses to allow them to prosper, including a different tax dispensation.<\/p>\n

The third panel discussion, which included Tocoblox Development Consultancy\u2019s Phelisa Nkomo, the National Planning Commission\u2019s Makhiba Mollo, the Blacksash\u2019s Rachel Bukasa and the SA Youth Economic Council\u2019s Bonga Makhanya, unpacked the challenge of poverty alleviation. The panel agreed that a holistic approach is required to effectively combat structural poverty in SA.<\/p>\n

While SA has a number of plans and initiatives over the years to address poverty alleviation, these have all had limitations. Part of the model embedded in development plans is urbanisation which has resulted in a massive growth in demand for service delivery. Rapid urbanisation has also had social consequences including a massive shortage of housing. A failure to develop vibrant rural economies has, amongst others, lead to dysfunctional families, an increase in child-to-child pregnancies and an increase in gender-based violence.<\/p>\n

SA is unlikely to meet its 2030 development targets or alleviate the triple threats of poverty, inequality and unemployment. This is as a result of incompetence, ineffective execution, a lack of accountability and no real investment in gross capital formation. Poverty, inequality and unemployment is a multilayered problem which requires multilayered solutions, including strengthening our institutions, better maintenance of infrastructure and better skills development and education. <\/p>\n

One of the biggest takeouts from this year\u2019s Director\u2019s Event is that SA once again stands at a critical juncture. The new government of national unity has an opportunity to put the country\u2019s best interests ahead of narrow self-interest, create a more enabling business environment and rebuild trust between the public and private sector to enable economic growth which will, in turn, alleviate the high rate of unemployment. What has become increasingly clear is that no single political party or organisation can solve South Africa\u2019s problem and that it is only by collaborating with all stakeholders to implement bold solutions will South Africa be in a position to address its most pressing issues. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>