The South African Dream: 15 years on and 15 years to come

By Toni Parsons

Fifteen years into the Rainbow nation, I don’t know that a soothsayer, witchdoctor, economist or analyst would have been able to predict the changes that have happened in our nation. Some of the surprises have been wonderful, others have been unexpected uncomfortable issues that still need to be dealt with.

Recently, Matthews Phosa, Moeletsi Mbeki and Stephen Chan delivered a talk on the South African Dream – where we have come, and where are going. For anyone with an interest in South Africa this was a must see. Phosa is an active member in the ANC, Mbeki a working businessman and accomplished analyst and speaker, and Chan, a professor at the SOAS (Society for Oriental and African Studies). The panel provided an incredible wealth of working knowledge and expertise regarding South Africa. Seen away from the hearsay and the fabricated stats that worked up expats and passionate South Africans at home can sometimes fall victim to made it all the more beneficial.

Each speaker had their own perspective on what was relevant, and the diversity of the panel allowed for an exhaustive range of topics to be covered in a short span of time. Affirmative action, crime, economic stability, corruption, national debt, land appropriation and the ANC as a government rather than a rebellion party all had their time in the spotlight.

Away from the propaganda and over-hype of the press, the challenges for South Africa were clearly laid out. There is no question that South Africa has come a long distance, in leaps and bounds over the last 15 years, but there are also slowly rising issues that need to be dealt with if we are to succeed. Our problem of debt per head in the country, and a culture of spending needs to be addressed, and quickly. Our debt per head is on a similar scale with that of the US, while our job market aligns with those of the BRIC countries – not an ideal economic position for a country that needs to grow over the next few years. In addition, our business environment needs to foster a spirit of much fiercer competition if we are to succeed in remaining a democracy with an economy on a global scale. Without the culture of competition, we run the risk of becoming a country run by monopolies, which will mean we quickly lose our edge in the international market.

Issues that are already prominent in discussions on South Africa weren’t excluded – affirmative action needs to be addressed if the brain drain of expats is to return to SA and be productive in the economy.

Overall, the discussion was a positive outline of the problems South Africa faces over the next few years if we are to prove ourselves different from other African countries and maintain our international status. The problems we face are not insurmountable, and if we work towards overcoming them it is possible. The only factor in the discussion that really made me think twice and doubt that it is possible was the ANC speaker on the panel. He consistently made light of the problems we face, and denied many of the quite obvious issues that need to be addressed. If we are to succeed as a nation with many obstacles to overcome, denying the problems we face and pretending that everything is really OK, is not going to work.

Perhaps we need to listen more closely to what Moeletsi Mbeki says. If we are to succeed internationally, we need to foster a spirit of fierce competition. Not just in our businesses, but in our political parties as well. Perhaps in fact, the spirit of competition is beginning to thrive in us. In the next 15 years we might well see more competition for the ANC in other parties, and see South Africans demanding more from its leading party, or finding someone who will deliver. I believe a competitive attitude politically and economically is one of the biggest keys for our success. For the next 15 years, let’s make our dream to be more demanding of South Africa – if we demand more and demand only the best of what can be delivered, the only possible result is to produce our best results.