Transition: our African contribution

SOUTH Africa is no different to the rest of the developed and developing countries where business conglomerates have placed nations under tremendous economic and political pressure in order for world economies to succumb to bankruptcy and social ills.

We have seen immense challenges in our economic structures where conglomerates devour each other in order to take possession over the land, food supplies and natural resources in various parts of the world. We are currently experiencing the challenges faced by KPMG and other corporations. Who will be next? It is commendable that there is still some sanity in government, civil society and the business sector focused on supporting South Africa and its people.

They are to be acknowledged for their patience and perseverance in slowly getting our country on the road to economic recovery. Give young black people the opportunities to be appointed in senior executive positions in commerce and industry, as well as in government and entities of state – obviously, based on their expertise, competence and integrity.

It is going to take a little bit more of an effort in getting government and academic institutions to join progressive businesses in training and developing the youth in Beyond Leadership in order to get the right mix of executives in positions in our social, economic and political sectors.

Beyond Leadership development is not a theoretical academic programme and requires much of the business sectors who understand and accept that sustainable economic growth and development require great attention to how the knowledge economy is transcended into impeccable, trusted wisdom and intellectual action towards a people-centered economy.

Ministers and their departments need to work together to shape and form a true people-centred, growing economy that may be facilitated by the minister or a senior executive of the Department of Finance.