BEE Partner, South Africa Economy Watch

In the New South Africa, it is interesting to align these six points with the concept of political neutrality, at least in the short t_omedium term. As an emerging nation builds itself and seeks to create for itself a desirable position in the world’s economic rankings, its entire focus should be orientated towards that purpose. Nothing should distract it from achieving its goal. Its resources, both human and otherwise, must be channelled into creating the right kind of society that will provide prosperity to the citizens of the country Political and social distractions channel resources away from the efforts of global economic and business competitiveness. The leaders of the country must be concerned with their own nation first, before they can deal with issues in other countries.

Let us summarise these points in relation to the behaviour of politicians and business leaders.

1. Neglect to estimate the enemy’s strength

Never underestimate the dynamism of the global environment, the effort it will take to compete in it, as well as the strengths and weaknesses of the players who comprise it. Do not make assumptions about how the international community will receive your nation. This also relates to Sun Tzu’s teaching that you should know yourself and your opposition: ‘If you know the enemy and know yourself, you need not fear the result of a hundred battles. If you know yourself but not the enemy, for every victory gained you will suffer a defeat. If you know neither the enemy nor yourself; you will succumb in every battle.’”‘” Also, avoid overstatement. The South African media is often guilty of overstating South Africa’s position in the global community. It has a tendency to talk up the country’s importance in world affairs. This only clouds one’s judgement of the true position from which one has to build.

2. Want of authority

A political leader should not aspire to international prominence at the expense of the work that has to be done to build up his or her developing nation.

3. Defective training

This refers to the lack of education in a country and the unwillingness of business corporations to spend money training their people. Since the world is in the era of the knowledge society, countries and companies that do not channel appropriate resources into educating their people will be putting themselves at a distinct disadvantage relative to competitors who do.

4. Unjustifiable anger

Unjustifiable anger refers to any arrogant and aggressive dealings with other nation-states, organisations or associations. It is interesting to note that in ancient Chinese thinking, and in particular in traditional Chinese medicine, anger is often referred to as the ‘chief hooligan’, as it drains a person’s energy more than any other emotion. In business organisations, anger and arrogance cloud the judgement of business and political leaders, and can lead to bad decisions.

5. Non-observance of discipline

Allowing the domestic society to become ill-disciplined — which includes bad behaviour of government, whether at national or provincial level — is detrimental to the country’s welfare. This also includes violent crime, drugs and corruption of any kind. The various corruption scandals that have been prevalent in South Africa are examples of this.

6. Failure to use picked men

This refers to cronyism and the failure to employ the best people for the job, relying instead on the return of political favours, or ‘jobs for the boys’.

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