OUR BALANCE SHEET
In this section, we focus on two areas: On the one hand, what have we fundamentally
achieved in a sustainable manner? On the other, what have we fundamentally got wrong that
could lead us to a precipice? It is not our intention to single out commonplace achievements
or errors, but to focus on our major assets and liabilities.
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VOICES OF DINOKENG
Perspectives from members of
the Dinokeng Scenario Team.
We need to see how the global
economy responds to the current
crisis. Where there is volatility
in the pricing of primary
commodities, how will the
South African economy withstand
this? The new centres of growth
– India, China, Russia and
Brazil – will impact on South
Africa and we will see lower rates
of growth over the next five years.
We’ve seen the reduction of
unemployment from 31% [in
2003] to 23% – any reversal
would be dire.
A word of caution: there are
constraints that we need to accept and live with. We cannot behave
as if we are insulated and living
on an island. We have a small
and open economy. We are not
a closed economy.
We need to work out our role
vis a vis the region. Do we want to
be the powerhouse or just another
SADC country? What is our
responsibility to the region? Take
the xenophobia – do we have the
capacity to process the nuance
about what constitutes an
economic versus a political
refugee? Does Home Affairs
know how to deal with this?
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