Leaving the past behind and working towards a revolutionary future
THE FOURTH INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION The main purpose of this theme is to start conversations about how to accomplish sustainable economic solutions to resolve the disparities brought about by historical factors related to colonialism and apartheid. More directly, how can we create the conditions necessary to uplift those who were excluded from the economy by positioning ourselves strategically at the cutting edge of the fourth industrial revolution, and how can we take advantage of the youth bulge in Africa by deploying it as the driver of the fourth industrial revolution to achieve this objective as well as address youth unemployment, which is threatening the future and stability of the continent?
A key part of the fourth industrial revolution is the opportunity it presents through the internet for inclusive growth in Africa. Inclusive growth advances equitable opportunities for economic participants during economic growth, with benefits enjoyed by every section of society. The vast and growing potential of the fourth industrial revolution has yet to be fully grasped. The ICT sector, industry and governments have a responsibility to unlock its potential for citizen service delivery, customer experience and innovative solutions, for a better life for all. How do you think government and industry can begin to unlock this potential?
The Future of Jobs and Skills in Africa report suggests that, to prepare for the future of work, Africa must expand its high-skilled talent pool bydeveloping future-ready curriculums, with a large portion ofthat focusing on STEM education (science, technology, engineering and maths) — an interdisciplinary approach to learning where rigorous academic concepts are coupled with a real-world approach.
What role do the Department of Basic Education, the Department of Science and Technology and the Department of Telecommunications and Postal Services need to play in preparing learners and citizens to be equipped to take advantage of opportunities in the fourth industrial revolution? And does South Africa have the right policies, legislation and regulations in place to support the skills and infrastructure needed?
Leadership and governance i nt he public and the private sector will play a critical role in South Africa’s readiness for the fourth industrial revolution. The departments of education and science and technology — as well as private sector initiatives in research and development — are critical inthis regard. New policy perspectives, laws and regulations will needto be developed to create conditions conducive to this development. Corruption, maladministration and collusion in both sectors have contributed to low economic growth. This must change.
What type of leadership does the country need to help grow our economy?
One of the National Development Plan’s objectivesto be reached by 2030 is “strong leadership throughoutsociety thatworks together to solve our problems”. I would add thatthe leadership will have to be visionary, innovative and perceptive and think out of the box. Traditional leadership models will miss the opportunities occasioned by the fourth industrial revolution. It is also critical thatwe use public-private partnerships as they are a powerful lever for development.
What are some of the limitations and opportunities for public-private partnerships in South Africa?
The greatest change South Africa faces is the divide betweenthose inthe public sector,who happento be mainly black and historicallydisadvantaged, and those inthe private sector,who happento be, inthe main, white. No amount of goodwill from those who are in government has changed the attitudes ofthose who control the heights of the economy. If we fail to break this wall and collaborate in taking advantage of the fourth industrial revolution, we will find it difficultto be atthe cutting edge ofthe new economy.
The ANC has always maintained pro-poor policies, aligned to the NDP, to address poverty, inequality and unemployment. Do you think the ANC’s current policies adequately deal with the fourth industrial revolution?
The current policies are steeped inthe current economic paradigm,which will be overtaken by new industries, rendering what we are fighting about obsolete.The younger generation must be empoweredto change the economic paradigm and discourse by moving into the new space of new industries withinthe context ofthe fourth industrial revolution. We must move beyond those who are fighting to keep control ofthe current economy by creating the new that is occasioned bythis revolution.
What will the consequences be for Africa if there is a failure to take advantage of the fourth industrial revolution?
There is no room for failure as that will mean that Africa becomes enslaved and colonised again— as is beginning to happenthrough the ports ofLibya and other countries inthe north ofthe continent. Young Africans are being enticed to better pastures, which end up with them being bought and sold inEurope and the US, where they are treated as slaves. We needto returnto the African renaissance vision by: Ending the senseless wars that are raging ● on the continent, which make strategic thinking and development impossible; Establishing participatory governments ● that create space for the younger generation to employ their creative potential to participate atthe cutting edge ofthe fourth industrial revolution; and Reposition our education systems to ● enable the younger generationto be innovative infinding solutions confronting humanity today and into the future.
What do you think we should do to ensure that South Africa and Africa are leaders in the fourth industrial revolution?
We must bring together younger business people, economists, those who are in finance, banking, the investment space, asset management, informationtechnology, artificial intelligence, and so forth, to think together and develop strategiesto enter this world ofthe fourth industrial revolution to find sustainable solutions to our economic challenges.
Africa must expand its high-skilled talent pool by developing future-ready curriculums
Reverend Frank Chikane
Kagiso Trust board of trustees chairman