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Global South Africans Newsletter
November 2019
Introduction
I often say that news comes in three forms:
- An Event
- A Cycle
- A Trend
The intention of our monthly newsletter is to focus on cycles and trends. It is highly likely that the reader will have learnt about all the major events of the past month through either print or electronic media! Steuart Pennington
From the Desk of the President
Our President Cyril Ramaphosa (CR) has started a regular process of sending out newsletters, this is a new trend, and is welcome.
In his newsletter of November 11th he talks of governments ambition to raise $100 billion over the next five years – R1.3 trillion! Last week the second South African investment conference was held in Johannesburg. CR writes, “Last year we secured R300 billion in commitments towards our goal of R1.2 trillion, already these commitments are turning into investments in factories, equipment and new jobs. Of the amount announced last year around R 238 billion worth of projects have either been completed or are being implemented.
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After turbulent months of debate over the future of schooling in South Africa, one thing is clear: The current education system does not cater to the needs of our local and global economy. In the time of innovation, our teachers are not equipped to deal with this change and soon enough, traditional employment opportunities will no longer exist. This is a frightening forecast for a country already rife with unemployment, with young South African’s making up 65% of the unemployed population.
That’s where FutureProof comes in. In a country flooded with NGO’s that promise a ‘miracle cure’ to the youth unemployment crisis, FutureProof’s solution is simple. Teach them the real-world, practical entrepreneurship skills needed to not only run a business but to navigate through life, by preparing children for an uncertain future.
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by Steuart Pennington
What a special day for 57 million South Africans, what a special day for the Springbok Squad, what a special day for Rassie Erasmus and his coaching team, what a special day for Siya Kolisi and his warriors, what a special day for Pieter-Steph du Toit crowned Rugby Player of the Year, what a special day for Rassie and his Team of the Year, what a BIG day for the Rugby World Champions!
When all is said and done, four things that were really special struck me forcefully: the first was the graciousness of our Captain Siya Kolisi’s Winning Captain’s speech, the second was the understated nature of Rassie’s speech, the third was Siya leaving the team celebrations to hug his wife and bring his children and his Dad onto the field (has that ever happened before?)
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By Justin Foxton
Whether you like the #imstaying campaign or not, it is doing a significant job of giving a section of the population a much-needed shot in the arm. Given the vast numbers of people lending their voice to the movement (850 000 and counting), there is a huge opportunity for a phase 2 called something like #imstaying #impartofthesolution.
To inspire us and hopefully get things started, here are 4 short stories from my own life of people who have been part of the solution. There is an entrepreneur, an Organisational Development specialist, a mother and a group of passionate S’affers now living abroad.
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by Justin Foxton
We did it – now what?
With the euphoria of our magnificent Rugby World Cup victory in Japan beginning to level off, we are beginning to change our focus and ask some powerful questions: How can we sustain the unity that #RWC2019 created? How can we maintain the heightened levels of hope and positivity? How can we continue to live out the mantra of #strongertogether?
These are the right questions because as jubilant as we are, there is a limit to how far sport can take us before we as citizens must step in, grab the baton and continue leading the charge
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Farming and land Redistribution
Textiles, poultry and sugar farming are labour intensive industries with big scope for emerging farmers. Government has released 167 000 units of land belonging to SOEs (totalling 14 100 ha) for redistribution to citizens. Thirty-year leases on 1 400 farms have also been signed with beneficiary farmers.
Political
South Africa is the 24th largest country geographically, has the 25th largest population, the 33rd largest economy by GDP, the 30th largest by purchasing power parity (PPP) and ranks 19th in terms of foreign debt (Economist Pocket World 2020 – comparing 190 countries).
Budget
According to the Open Budget Index 2019, South Africa has the most transparent budget in the world (1st) behind New Zealand and Sweden.
November Good Deeds:
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