Posts

Black Capital - true socio-economic transformation and growth drivers

Image
According to Investopedia : Capital refers to financial assets or the financial value of assets, such as funds held in deposit accounts, as well as the tangible machinery and production equipment used in environments such as factories and other manufacturing facilities. Additionally, capital includes facilities, such as the buildings used for the production and storage of the manufactured goods. Materials used and consumed as part of the manufacturing process do not qualify. The total number of public sector employments increased from 2.16 million in 2008 to 2.69 million at the end of 2014. - The argument can be made that today, in 2017, this number should be about 3 million. It is reported that black people make up 77% of public sector employment compared with 66% the private sector. Education It is essential to go out and get educated, this can be the form of structured learning that the youth is looking for free funding for or it can be in the form of pr
Post a Comment
Read more

Leadership - an entrepreneurial perspective

Image
Globally there seems to be a fundamental lack of leadership, lack of business leaders, political leaders and effective community leaders. Leadership has become such a misaligned and undervalued characteristic - this is visible in the amount of corporations that have been found guilty of fraud, corruption and collusion.  What a time we as South Africans have lived through - Madiba changed the fate of us all - he led us like no other leader in the history of our country and laid a legacy of inspiration we are yet to take up. Leadership in its basic fundamental is the serving people who make up one’s sphere of influence.  Never has there been a time that people have desired to become “leaders” as what we find today.  The past decade has introduced us to a sector long thought and believed did not exist.  A grouping that has sought positions of leadership within government and in communities -not to be an influence for the better but to position as a Bastion for narrow a
Post a Comment
Read more

No easy route, no shortcuts - a look at 'White Monopoly Capital' and Stellenbosch as enemy

Image
As the popular adages goes, 'There are no shortcuts to success' and "There is no easy route to creating wealth" I have made no secrets on my love for Stellenbosch and moreover, my adoption of some of its leading entrepreneurs as my role models. I have had the great pleasure of spending my formative years as a young adult in Stellenbosch.  As student my rooting and fundamental beliefs were shaped and influenced by the town, its ambiance and all that that the institution embodied. The town of Stellenbosch  hosts a population of well  over 200 000 people,  spanning an area of  831.04 km². The town is a  vibrant economic area, with an active tourism market. M ajority of the population is white. The community also has some of the highest levels of education of any town in the country. For a small town, it offers and contributes to the fiscus more than its fair share. If that is the case, why then do we not learn valuable lessons from this anomaly in th
1 comment
Read more

Fit to lead - an analysis of the ANC

Image
As far as possible I try not to write about politics - firstly I am not a political scientist and I have never held any senior position in any political party. So I do not have experience in politics.  Though my political ancestral home is the African National Congress (ANC), besides being a student leader, I have never been interested in formal politics.   Politics however, intertwines with business and the economy. I have recently been recognizing some structural, governance and business issues facing the governing party. Setting the ideology aside, organizational growth is similar irrespective of organisation.  In Patrick Lencioni’s book, “ The Five Dysfunctions of a Team ”, he highlights the pitfalls faced by many teams. These are: Inattention to results, Avoidance of accountability, Lack of commitment, Fear of conflict and lastly, Absence of trust. I will therefore try to elaborate on each point and how the once mighty ANC has let itself suffer from each dysfunction.
Post a Comment
Read more

Land First?

Image
The issue of land is quite a contentious one - throughout the world, people find their identity in the land they live on and in as well as the language they speak. If offers a sense of belonging not inherent in us but derived from something tangible.  As the great speech from Thabo Mbeki states: I am an African, I derive my being from…. We all derive our sense of identity from things outside of us. Teaching my first son about our clan, clan name and totems that accompany it, give rise to his identity. Where our clan hails from eSheshegu, a small village outside eDutywa the Eastern Cape. Now the question of land - I have had the great pleasure of traversing the Cape Provinces, this being the Northern, Western and Eastern Capes. What a beautiful country we live in. Massive tracks of land belonging to white farmers as well as the South African government throughout the areas I have visited.  Being in the agricultural industry I have come to understand the value of land.
Post a Comment
Read more

Culture, Legacies and Networks

Image
After a long weekend dedicated to youth - I find myself filled with doubt on the strategy that is put forth for the youth of South Africa. According to legislation, I am and will remain a “youth” for a few more years. It becomes ever so vital that I take full advantage of all opportunities during these last few years. The massive drive for government, to cater to the youth problem - yes, I perceive their actions as viewing the youth as a problem, none of them is quite interested to solve.  But have to comment on to garner political votes. Votes from a population segment that is looking to outstrip any other segment in terms of size. South Africa and most of the African continent is undergoing a great revival opportunity - where the majority of the economically active participants in the economy, would be young people. This allows the country to look at opportunities to produce goods at a competitive rate, globally. The youth is sold on the idea of YOUTH ENTREPRENEUR
Post a Comment
Read more

Alive with possibility

Image
The Republic of South Africa is the greatest country on earth - great people and massive potential. Where else in the world could a village boy grow up to be one of the greatest symbols of forgiveness and reconciliation the earth has ever known. A states man and founding father of a new type of society. South Africa - the country without a name, but a geographic designation is apt in its name, it should offer direction and lead for the African continent. This country has given rise to some incredible sporting talent, innovations and medical breakthroughs. We have had and continue to produce great leaders in business, industry and science. We boast a country with biodiversity seldom challenged by other countries and melting pot of racial diversity bubbling with ideas and desire for progress. Unlike most - ours has been a dark history, a history we have not fully faced and found ways to coexist with. The shame of our past keeps on visiting us in present. Through our
Post a Comment
Read more