Publications
Partners
Johannesburg - South Africans should set aside their "artificial differences" to overcome the many challenges facing the country, according to Brian Molefe, CEO of Transnet.
"We have many hills to climb together, but if we focus and set aside our artificial differences, we can achieve those goals," he said at a gathering of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHi).
Eventhough at times it may seem what South Africa is nog quite living up to the expectations the world had for the country in the early days of democracy, great progress has been made in building a new democracy, in reshaping the economy and in rebuilding the country, according to Molefe.
"The historian with the open pen of truth will one day pen our mistakes, prejudices, victories and defeats as people," he said.
"Our history is intertwined - inextricably woven together for the greatness of our country. Since 1994, we have all been on that journey together as one nation - for better or for worse."
He admitted that SA faces an enormously challenging global economic landscape. This includes a projection of growth at what he calls a disappointing 2.2%.
"Developed countries are turning inwards and support for emerging economies are dwindling," he said.
"Emerging economies will have to look towards themselves - and each other - if they are to succeed in such a global environment."
He would like to see SA having a healthy trade with its regional Brics partners.
"We shall overcome our challenges. We must - as Pixley ka Isaka Seme said - awaken the giant in all of us," said Molefe.
Developing infrastructure
Infrastructure development is one way of achieving this.
"Investment spending in SA fell from an average of almost 30% of GDP in the early 1980s to about 16% of GDP in the early 2000s," he said.
"This means that, in effect, the country has missed a generation of capital investment in public structures like roads, electricity infrastructure and water systems."
The Johannesburg-Durban corridor should in his view be developed even more by extending it to the Free State.
This would improve inland access to Durban's import and export facilities.
"Investing in infrastructure development is about more than catching up with historic underinvestment," he said.
"In the short term it will create industrialisation of the economy and in the long term it will promote regional trade and investment."
Transnet is investing R307bn on expanding its infrastructure over the next seven years. Most of this will be on its rail business.
Rail in SA is 33% cheaper than road transport.
According to Molefe Education and skills upliftment are the two elements that play a crucial role in reducing inequality in SA.
"Sadly, almost two decades after achieving freedom, we still have a long way to go before we can say that all our young people have access to effective schooling, a recognised tertiary education and meaningful skills upliftment."
Transnet will spend R7.7bn on training, including R4.7bn on bursaries and grants, between 2013 and 2019.
"To ensure sustainability, all our procurement initiatives have a non-negotiable requirement that the manufacture of heavy equipment be done locally," he said.
Promoting entrepreneurship is another vital aspect for job creation, according to Molefe.
"Today over 12 million South Africans rely directly on small business for their livelihood and small businesses employ nearly 60% of the country's employable population," he said.
- Fin24
"We have many hills to climb together, but if we focus and set aside our artificial differences, we can achieve those goals," he said at a gathering of the Afrikaanse Handelsinstituut (AHi).
Eventhough at times it may seem what South Africa is nog quite living up to the expectations the world had for the country in the early days of democracy, great progress has been made in building a new democracy, in reshaping the economy and in rebuilding the country, according to Molefe.
"The historian with the open pen of truth will one day pen our mistakes, prejudices, victories and defeats as people," he said.
"Our history is intertwined - inextricably woven together for the greatness of our country. Since 1994, we have all been on that journey together as one nation - for better or for worse."
He admitted that SA faces an enormously challenging global economic landscape. This includes a projection of growth at what he calls a disappointing 2.2%.
"Developed countries are turning inwards and support for emerging economies are dwindling," he said.
"Emerging economies will have to look towards themselves - and each other - if they are to succeed in such a global environment."
He would like to see SA having a healthy trade with its regional Brics partners.
"We shall overcome our challenges. We must - as Pixley ka Isaka Seme said - awaken the giant in all of us," said Molefe.
Developing infrastructure
Infrastructure development is one way of achieving this.
"Investment spending in SA fell from an average of almost 30% of GDP in the early 1980s to about 16% of GDP in the early 2000s," he said.
"This means that, in effect, the country has missed a generation of capital investment in public structures like roads, electricity infrastructure and water systems."
The Johannesburg-Durban corridor should in his view be developed even more by extending it to the Free State.
This would improve inland access to Durban's import and export facilities.
"Investing in infrastructure development is about more than catching up with historic underinvestment," he said.
"In the short term it will create industrialisation of the economy and in the long term it will promote regional trade and investment."
Transnet is investing R307bn on expanding its infrastructure over the next seven years. Most of this will be on its rail business.
Rail in SA is 33% cheaper than road transport.
According to Molefe Education and skills upliftment are the two elements that play a crucial role in reducing inequality in SA.
"Sadly, almost two decades after achieving freedom, we still have a long way to go before we can say that all our young people have access to effective schooling, a recognised tertiary education and meaningful skills upliftment."
Transnet will spend R7.7bn on training, including R4.7bn on bursaries and grants, between 2013 and 2019.
"To ensure sustainability, all our procurement initiatives have a non-negotiable requirement that the manufacture of heavy equipment be done locally," he said.
Promoting entrepreneurship is another vital aspect for job creation, according to Molefe.
"Today over 12 million South Africans rely directly on small business for their livelihood and small businesses employ nearly 60% of the country's employable population," he said.
- Fin24
