“There is need to be brave and face the harsh reality squarely. We have to halt the obsession of telling a good story of yesteryear’s glory and urgently focus on tackling current underlying problems which have been triggering protests. The core issues at hand include but may not be isolated to: development of relevant skills; nurturing small businesses (including informal businesses), and religious adherence to good corporate governance in both public and private institutions.“
It is very hard to overlook the unbridled looting that has been taking place throughout the country. If we are to be fair, it is not atypical. We have seen recurrence of a similar events, albeit on a smaller scale, in numerous times post-1994 – sometimes confined to remote communities and others sporadically on a national scale. Typically, the common thread in all is that there would be an underlying problem in areas where the majority of black South Africans live, which legislators, whom they had elected, would tersely ignore or wish away. In response, aggrieved, the constituents would seek the most convenient outlet to vent out their frustrations to be heard. It would only take a seemingly mundane event to spark an outpouring of violence, highlighted by burning and looting. One unmasked young looter, who had the effrontery to appear on television live, candidly summed up: “It is the only language they understand better. Any other ways don’t work. This is South Africa boss.”
So, it would be incredible for someone to claim to be entirely shocked. Of course, there has never been looting and burning of this frightening magnitude. Worse still, at a time when the economy is a state of depression with record-breaking youth unemployment. Hence, the current chaos is tantamount to adding insult to injury. Thus, it is only natural to do some introspection and act before the situation reaches a point where it is beyond redemption.
Solely attributing the reigning anarchy to supporters and sympathisers of former President Jacob Zuma would be a fallacious generalisation. Ostensibly, initially, the protests calling for Zuma’s charges to be dropped or his acquittal had been localised isolated areas of Kwazulu Natal Province. The looting spree which ensured, and has been going unabated, has been instigated or hijacked by opportunists who are either genuinely desperate for food or have merely found the pretext to grab something for themselves.
From a socio-economic standpoint, the most plausible explanation would be the poor application or perceived lack of political will to decisively implement core initiatives that will enable sustainable transformation which could open up opportunities for the involvement of the majority in the economy. In this context, specifically, the three areas in which we have been left wanting are: Skills development, Nurturing the growth of small micro and medium enterprises, and Good governance.
The objectives mapping out the implementation of these areas, well-intentioned as they are, have not produced the desired outcome.
From a skill development perspective, glorious opportunities have been missed to develop a globally competitive workforce with relevant skills. This can be mirrored in the current situation, where some of the unemployed are suitably qualified in fields of specialty in which there is an oversupply graduates or which the economy does not need urgently. Vocational training is another facet of skills development that has been ignored or focus has been piecemeal.
The government and private sector business support services are presumptuously structured as if they are addressing challenges in a first world country. Currently, the services target an elite of organised businesses, which are formally registered with South African Revenue Services (SARS), CIPRO, and other bodies. This has marginalised budding businesses in the informal sector, which could possibly be a market valued at not less than 100 billion rand, based on a conservative estimate. Yet majority in the country subsist or live from running small and micro businesses in townships and rural areas. Currently, these owners of informal micro businesses cannot access any form of assistance be it financial assistance, paperwork and mentorship.
The country has one of the best corporate governance structures, which are referenced and emulated in other countries. It has been paradox that the country, having authored model corporate governance ethos should tolerate corruption in state-owned enterprises and other institutions at both central and local government levels. Consequently, there has been poor or lack of delivery of basic services for people at the grassroots level and deprivation of business opportunities through enterprise development which would have created job opportunities. Needless to say, it has had a cascading effect on society at large.
And so, where do we go from here?
It is time for be bold and avoid wasting time crying over spilt milk, or what could have been. There is need to be brave and face the harsh reality squarely. We have to halt the obsession of telling a good story of yesteryear’s glory and urgently focus on tackling currently underlying problems which have been triggering protests. The core issues at hand include but may not be isolated to: development of relevant skills, nurturing small businesses (including informal businesses) and religious adherence to good corporate governance in both public and private institutions. Of course, as you would have though, there will be political opportunists aplenty ready to pounce and peddle their miracle cure-all snake oil to solve the country’s problems.
The situation is redeemable, it is not a point of no return yet.
