Views from ‘an analyst who remains an optimist’
There are various different opinions on the current shape of South Africa -- Douglas Gibson, South Africa’s former ambassador to Thailand, chooses to have a positive one.
The Ebotse Golf Estate Clubhouse saw the third and final event for the year in the Aurora Ebotse Public Dialogue Series, on Wednesday, November 27, hosted by the Rotary Club of Benoni Aurora.
The series, which has been running successfully, on a monthly basis, since September, was devised as a means to give locals access to highly-respected and authoritative socio-economic and socio-political commentators in the run-up to the elections in 2014, and featured a new speaker at each assembly.
Gibson raised a few topical issues that South Africa is currently experiencing, touching both the challenging and constructive aspects.
The theme of his presentation was “South Africa past, present and future, by an analyst who remains an optimist”.
Some challenging factors he raised included that South Africa educationally under performs against other countries that are financially weaker than what we are.
“I believe that many youngsters exchange school for a lifetime of unemployment, have nothing to look forward to and cannot expect ever to find jobs,” he added.
“Fourteen million South Africans are working, but seven million are not.
“Seventy per cent of unemployed people are under the age of 34.
“Household debt to disposable income has risen to 76 per cent — people owe far more,” is another.
“What cannot and should not be denied is the progress that has been made,” he said after listing the challenges.
He explained that the country’s middle class has grown rapidly.
“There is nothing that will be more important to the stability, progress and future of our country than a large and increasing middle class.”
He also added that racial inequality declines to the lowest level yet.
The presentation contained plenty more facts and theories and was made entertaining by Gibson’s charismatic approach.
After the presentation, guests engaged in a dialogue with him, to discuss additional queries and opinions.
The John Wesley Marimba Band, from Daveyton, provided entertainment prior to the commencement of the event w,ith a few beautiful melodies.
“South Africa has many problems and challenges, but has so many wonderful things – the time I served the country, was the best time of my life,” – Douglas Gibson.
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