Citizens can help attract investors

Cyril Ramaphosa, pictured, has given Trevor Manuel, Mcebisi Jonas, Phumzile Langeni and Jacko Maree the task of raising $100 billion (R1.2 trillion) in foreign investment over the next five years.

I wish these gentlemen luck in their quest – they will need it.

Two things the public don’t seem to understand are investors are not charity organisations – they want to make the best possible profit, and second, the investors’ clients are us, the public, in terms of pension, retirement funds and investments.

Before making a decision, investors look at all the possible risks and returns. They weigh these up against other emerging markets around the world. Possible risks are an unstable and unreliable government and the behaviour of its citizens in terms of violence and riots. When looking at returns they look at the cost and how reliable labour, raw material, land and services are.

We, as citizens, all have a role to play. We elect the ruling party, we abuse the right to peacefully protest, and we all ignore our laws in some way or another. For example: how many of us stop at stop signs?

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We publish letters that come with full name, address and telephone number even if you want to use a pseudonym. letters@ citizen.co.za, fax 010-492-5386 or PO Box 43069 Industria 2042

Wilby