South Africa Incorporated
[2009-11-03]Having someone ignorant of economics in a position of power where they can affect the economy is possibly just as bad for the potential of this country as having someone with an IQ of 150 laying bricks or mowing the lawn.
Having someone ignorant of economics in a position of power where they can affect the economy is possibly just as bad for the potential of this country as having someone with an IQ of 150 laying bricks or mowing the lawn.
If every voter in South Africa could be thought of as a non-privileged share holder, then one can see that we are all suffering the consequences of having geniuses in the postroom just as much as having an under-educated executive.
Of course, the solution to all three of these problems (ignorant leaders; smart people who can only do manual labour; and an electorate who are not all thinking in terms of this country's potential) is education.
It is just as much in the interests of taxpayers that their little dears get decent schooling as it is that their little dears end up with sage and educated leaders.
My suggestion -- and I recognise that this is a bit of a pipe dream -- is that South Africa attack the issue of education with the same fervour as any Total War scenario. In 12 years there should not be a single South African capable of attaining a Grade 10 who does not already have one, by any means necessary.
Education does not just solve political problems. It brings us significantly closer to solutions regarding health, skills shortage and productivity, population growth, consumption and sustainability; more so than any other single national effort.
And when we have finished with this nation, maybe our citizens will notice how we are inextricably linked to the rest of the planet, and that it is in our interests to lend them a hand, at least by leading by example.
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