SA’s future in residents’ hands

With 2030 just more than a decade away, the organisation Afrobarometer recently conducted a large-scale survey to evaluate where Africa stands in terms of the UN’s ambitious sustainable development goals (SDGs).

These 17 goals aim to improve conditions and create sustainable development at a global level.

The survey, which measured public opinion in 34 African nations, paints a dismal picture of the economic progress that has been made on the continent.

Simply put, we still have a long way to go towards sustainable economic growth – both at national and individual level.

The research showed that, while some African nations faced dire problems relating to hunger, poverty and education – and therefore listed these as priorities – a vast majority (57%) shared one singular concern: a significant lack of economic growth and creation of decent, sustainable job opportunities.

On top of this, when rating the performance of their governments, the residents of several countries felt not enough was being done to close the gap between income levels.

In fact, Afrobarometer’s research indicates that government’s progress towards narrowing the gap between rich and poor citizens is their worst performance area in 31 of the 34 economies.

This worrying trend is counteractive to the economic development that thousands of Africans – and the UN – deem crucial to a better future.

While all the SDGs were positioned as a global challenge, the progress towards achieving these – ranging from eradicating hunger and increasing access to basic needs such as water and sanitation – will be felt keenly in developing economies such as our own.

It is, therefore, crucial that each of us take these goals to heart.

Arguably, many of the other SDGs hinge on economic growth and job creation.

Governments with stronger economies are better equipped to provide basic services and infrastructure, while stable employment could alleviate poverty and hunger at individual level.

It is, therefore, imperative that governments, and other stakeholders, do what they can to achieve this goal – and that citizens hold their governments accountable if they fail to do so.

Another study by Afrobarometer, conducted only in SA, indicated that nearly 62% of the residents polled – spanning various geographical locations, ages and income levels – would give up the right to a democratic election if their government provided jobs, housing, and law and order.

Let it sink in for a moment: 25 years after our country’s first democratic election, our people are willing to give up the hard-earned right to choose their own leadership in exchange for safety, financial security and a roof overhead.

SA was among the countries that listed economic growth and jobs as one of their top three priorities (at 71%) – along with strong institutions, peace and justice (at 43%), and sussearchers tainable communities (at 24%).

Are these needs not precisely the reason we should cling to our democracy – so that we can ensure those who lead the country are people we trust to deliver?

The Afrobarometer re- conclude that their survey could “offer useful guideposts to African governments interested in boosting their performance ratings and achieving SDG success”.

They believe the public survey should help governments understand the priorities of their residents, which in turn could facilitate more effective decision making in terms of policy and their own priorities.

Let us hope that these leaders will foster better engagement with their citizens and organisations.

The march towards a stronger Africa should not be a solitary one.

Though we remain apolitical, the Nelson Mandela Bay Business Chamber continues to collaborate with government, industry and academia through its triple helix model.

This is done regardless of the political affiliations of the governmental leadership, so that we may all work towards promoting economic development.

But this is not enough to build the future we hope to see in the metro and the country.

It is the government’s duty to provide basic services and infrastructure and promote the city as an investment destination.

The business community can do its part to create jobs, support business development and attract investors, but civil society still has an important obligation to fulfil.

Business does not get a vote during elections.

We must rely on each of our residents to represent us at the ballot boxes.

This is not a responsibility that should be taken lightly, and voting is not a right we should be willing to give away.

Rather, it is the chance we are given to determine the trajectory of our future.

Our request as business is simple: whoever you choose to lead our country, our province and our city, make sure it is someone you trust to prioritise the improvement of economic and social conditions.

SA’s priorities of sustainability, economic growth and stable institutions are not impossible to reach, but it will take all of us.