It’s all about the country

IN 1977, author RW Johnson wrote a book, How Long will SA Survive – the Looming Crisis. Recently Johnson, addressing a Business Science forum in Johannesburg, said structural reforms recommended by the World Bank, IMF and other ratings agencies which include liberalising the labour market, reducing public sector pay and turning around failing state institutions while reforming the education system, was needed to bring about stability in South Africa.

Johnson’s sentiments, set out in Finweek this week, have been echoed by other economists in the past few weeks.

He also indicates that the best examples of good leadership are currently coming from civil society.

Despite the doom and gloom, Johnson indicates that “despite all this, I still wouldn’t want to live anywhere else.”

With South Africa facing crises like the financial situation of Eskom and the Post Office, ongoing concerns over a top-heavy and costly government, a high level of unemployment and a general rise in crime levels, it is not surprising that a new research study by Universum Global has found that Generation Z, described as the ‘next generation of digital natives’ are far less optimistic than the pre- ceding one of Generation X, also called the millenials.

The main fears of Generation Z are a lack of job opportunities and crippling student debt, if they go to university.

Of course, what is facing our country is facing countries around the world and while South Africa may have some additional challenges to deal with, one thing is certain. Innovation, active citizenry and participation are all going to be key to our future.

We will need citizens who are forward-thinking in terms of policies and new ways to free the market for labour growth. We will need citizens who want to contribute in a positive manner to the development of South Africa to the benefit of all who live here. We will need entrepreneurs who are supported by a government which sees economic growth and job creation as prime responsibilities and priorities in seeing our country through troubled times.

We will need every South African committed to a better country to focus on the wellbeing of their fellow man through peaceful and goal-orientated methods.

Pose yourself the question Johnson answered: “Would you want to live anywhere else?” If the answer is no, start making a difference.