Hope amid the failed state argument
The daily news briefing waiting for me in my inbox is inevitably a mixed bag. Opinion pieces touting a hopeful outlook on the future of South Africa are infrequent, but they still manage to creep into the headlines in a news cycle that is seemingly worsening. This morning, one such headline caught my eye. It proudly named South Africa as one of the most desired countries to relocate to in the world.
As it appeared alongside articles covering the unprecedented drought in the Eastern Cape, the vandalising and theft of key South African infrastructure, the ongoing energy crisis, and calls for education reform, the headline seemed far-fetched to say the least.
These issues are all outlined and dissected in the IRMSA 2022 Risk Report. Section 3.4 details the following: “Due to longstanding structural impediments, execution failures, failing SOEs, poor basic education, outcomes and high unemployment, SA declines into complete economic collapse, creating a spiral of poverty and debt from which it is unlikely to recover in the next decade.”
These headlines continue to support the prospect of “complete economic collapse” detailed above. If we continue on this path, how could we possibly be one of the most desired countries to relocate to in the world? The state of our nation appears worse than when the 2022 Risk Report went to print. How can we recover?
However, after reading some of the exemplary success stories in the Risk Report about the actions of ordinary citizens and business leaders who have enacted much-needed change, I can start to understand why South Africa made the list. While optimistic headlines seem out of place in South Africa there is still good reason for them to appear. There is still hope, but positive stories of incremental change get lost in the dismay. Stories like South Africa building one of the world’s biggest solar and battery power plants; or an inspiring initiative from Hollard that gives emerging businesses sponsored premium advertising.
While the Risk Report outlines the factors contributing to complete economic collapse, there are also solutions provided to mitigate these risks. These solutions look at how private strategic partnerships and private sector investment in structural reforms, curriculum adjustments, and the adoption of coalition governments can steer us away from complete economic collapse. While some of the solutions do address the need for transformation at state level, it is the solutions concerning private partnerships that are the most promising. While we must still hold the state accountable, now more than ever, the private sector also has a growing responsibility to step up to the plate and intervene in the issues that plague our country.
ENDS
MEDIA CONTACT: Kobus de Wet, kobusd@irmsa.org.za ; 072 882 0888
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