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If we think we have an unemployment rate of over 25%, how much higher would it be if SA operated like many other countries in the world, asks an entrepreneur.
By Andrew Fenwick*
Globally and in South Africa, many are talking about “Tightening of Belts”.
We are heading into a most difficult year, one filled with more retrenchments in the mining industry and other sectors. One where drought is starting to put big pressure on food prices etc.
One could say that many South Africans have their backs against the wall, how will we get out of this one?
In the noise that is political and racial in the build-up to the local municipal elections that will be held on the 3 August 2016, millions are being forced to tighten their belts and earn a living by whatever means.
I believe South Africans are resilient, resourceful, innovative, entrepreneurial and we have a huge cultural diversity that has many strengths. Our country is so beautiful that tourism has to flourish as well!! I have had the privilege of getting to see many parts of our country that has shown the above to me.
The great irony of our country is that thousands of people have been part of a smear campaign of bosses of businesses, only to become a boss one day when their demands for higher pay have resulted in their job losses… They then find themselves in the position that they looked at with disdain, only to find that it is a means of survival for millions of people worldwide!
When I look at the labour unions in South Africa, I sometimes wonder what the aspirations are for the children of those labour union representatives. Would they be wishing that their children are part of some “struggle” in the future? Or would they want their children to have a better education and one day run a business and be a creator of jobs? While unions have a place, especially when there are some unscrupulous employers, I just wonder how strong the unions will be when South Africa gets to a point where millions of jobs have been shed and an increasingly smaller section of our society are earning a “living” wage.
Again, another irony, because how much better are our workers when they earn the increased wages but then end up supporting more relatives and friends when they lose their jobs? I’m not sure how many of our workers in South Africa are aware that we have jobs in our country that don’t even exist in many other countries all over the world.
So what I’m saying is that if we think we have an unemployment rate of over 25%, how much higher would it be if we operated like many other countries in the world? Countries where they fill up their own fuel tanks, pack their own groceries and don’t pay someone to look after their cars.
One of the tragedies of Africa is also one of the biggest opportunities. Just a few years ago, Africa was abuzz with talk about investment and huge growth potential. That was when the commodities were at great prices. Since the huge slump in oil, gas, copper, iron ore, platinum and other minerals, it has seemed like someone turned the fan off on a giant jumping castle!!
Where this is a huge opportunity is that now our continent is being forced to think of creative ways to get their economies going. Yes, government spending projects are part of this but where the most traction lies are those countries that provide an enabling environment for entrepreneurship! I believe the countries feeling the most pain (Nigeria etc) will be the ones that are most proactive.
Africa’s time is still on the horizon, I’m sure commodity prices will again pick up in price in the future. But just imagine how much more advantage we can take of this if we have millions more entrepreneurs? Educated and trained people that can move the countries onward and upward.
The future of South Africa will by necessity be an increasing one of public-private partnerships, as there is an increasing pressure on the fiscus, in quieter economic times. There are lots of successful projects that show that this can be a powerful way of stimulating areas of our economy.
I would like to pay tribute to a few people who are making a difference in South Africa. People who just quietly display their passion for our beautiful country, in various ways, despite the noise that our landscape is so full of.
To Thuli Madonsela, how many young people have been inspired by her determination and courage to stand up for what is right?
Catherine Constantinides for her passion for sustainability and environmental matters.
Leslie Sedibe for his relentless drive for growing the awareness of Proudly SA and to encourage people to buy locally made goods.
Yusuf Abramjee for his passion to build SA and for Operation Hydrate, when thousands have been battling for water.
To the many journalists that ask the hard questions and expose the bad stuff. (and good)
To the thousands of South Africans who now live in other parts of the world but demonstrate where their hearts still are, in their actions and their words.
To the thousands of people that work for the SA government who are making a difference in their communities, the teachers, medical staff, policemen and others in government.
Lastly, to all the entrepreneurs out there who run businesses, both big and small.
• After studying Mechanical Engineering, Andrew Fenwick joined a car manufacturer for 5 years, as Production Engineer (1994-99). He completed an Advanced Business Programme (part-time) before working in the UK to gain more manufacturing experience.
He returned to SA after two years to join his father’s business, Saddler Belts & Leathercraft, which has been in operation since 1990. He has worked in various roles, from delivery driver to production. He was eventually appointed general manager and, two years ago, managing director. Follow him on Twitter @andrewfdurbs.
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