WEF must spur action

BY ALL accounts, this week’s World Eco- nomic Forum (WEF) Africa in Durban has been a record-setter. President Jacob Zuma said the event had attracted unprecedented numbers, a sign that our 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 contin- ent. High on this list are poverty, inequality, un- employment, poor education and skills training. There has been a keen focus on the Fourth In- dustrial 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 oppor- tunities 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, for skills development and ongoing training. It can also liberate people from repetitive chores, reduce the cost of hi-tech innovations and even save lives. With commitment, our continent can avert an explosion of anger by the large and growing num- ber of unemployed and unemployable youth. South Africa, which has the world’s second-high- est cost of data (after Brazil), must urgently review accessibility to data. Communication Minister Ayanda Dlodlo acknowledged at WEF that if people could not access data, they could not make the most of e-learning or participate in the economy. This repeatedly identified hurdle is one South Africa can and must clear. As the movers and shak- ers head home, we ask them to consider that if Afri- ca is to reach its full potential, these ideas must not be left to moulder as part of a talk shop but instead be the green shoots of future growth.