Israel’s development plan can be copied

BENJAMIN Netanyahu, now in his fourth term as Israeli prime minister, was recently interviewed on Bloomberg Business channel by David Rubenstein on his weekly 30-minute slot which poses questions like “what makes an effective leader?” and “how can leadership be developed into a force for true achievement?”

Commenting on Israel’s remarkable economic strength, Rubenstein asked Netanyahu, “At the start of your initial term as premier, what was the first thing you did?”

Netanyahu responded thus: “I believe that you must immediately make all the changes you want as soon as you assume office!” Rubenstein asked, “Why?” Netanyahu replied that when he first took office he asked those in the know, “What will happen if I change ‘that’?” – regarding each of his desired changes.

The response in each case was the same, “Oh, that will definitely result in a three-month strike” and “So will that!” and “That will too!”

The indomitable Netanyahu responded, “That’s great! Let’s make all changes immediately and settle for one three-month strike!”

When quizzed on Israel’s markedly strong economy and the fact that it was increasingly becoming the world leader in communications and other technologies, in spite of its incredibly small size, Netanyahu said two things:

ý “Right away, we removed governmental-administrative controls over business enterprises – our policy was to allow private businesses the freedom to succeed or fail. As a result of this, our economy grew dramatically; and

ý “We realised that technology is the way of the future, and that the three essential components are big data, artificial intelligence and connectivity. So, our approach was to encourage, invest in and nurture all three of these.”

The foregoing strategy has greatly benefited Israel’s economy and people.

It provides food for thought indeed for all leaders and decision-makers in South Africa.

Our country’s destiny beckons still!

Sandy Johnston, Nelson Mandela Bay