Record-setting WEF must spur action

BY ALL accounts, this week’s World Economic Forum (WEF) Africa in Durban has been a record-setter. President Jacob Zuma said this year’s event had attracted unprecedented numbers, a sign that the continent was the place to be for global decision-makers.

These leaders have spent time mingling with some of the best and brightest in Africa – and from abroad. They have discussed and debated many of the challenges facing South Africa, and the continent. High on this list is poverty, inequality, unemployment (particularly among young people), and poor education and skills training.

There has also been keen focus on the Fourth Industrial Revolution – the fusion of technologies blurring the lines between the physical, digital, and biological spheres. The globe is grappling with the duality of technology, as a job gobbler and job creator, and Africa needs to seize all possible opportunities to turn it to the latter. It could be a powerful tool, and benefit millions, if harnessed for use in education – from pre-school to university and beyond, in skills development and ongoing training.

With just this commitment, the continent could avert an explosion of anger by a huge and growing number of unemployed and unemployable youth.

South Africa, which has the world’s second-highest cost of data (after Brazil), must urgently review accessibility to data.

Communications Minister Ayanda Dlodlo acknowledged at a WEF session that if people could not access data, they could not make the most of e-learning or participate in the economy. It was a hurdle repeatedly identified at WEF, and one South Africa can clear, if our expressed will inspires innovation and action.

As these movers and shakers head home, we ask them to consider that if Africa is to reach its full potential, these ideas are not just part of a talk shop, but the green shoots of future growth.