Here in London all the talk surrounds Theresa May’s surprise calling of a general election on June 8. She explains that it is critical to close the gap between the way her country now thinks and what she sees as the obstructive views of MPs the nation elected two years ago.
Snap elections are always a gamble, but all the research shows Brexit has been good for Mrs May’s Conservative Party. It is 21% ahead in the polls, up to 44% from 2015’s 37%. If that holds for six weeks it will translate into lots more Conservatives elected to Westminster – adding significantly to the majority, providing firepower for driving Theresa’s intentions.
The contrast with contemporary South Africa is stark. In this country, the leader of the ruling party has been using every tool within grasp to tighten his grip on power, steadfastly ignoring a similar sea change in the national mood. Jacob Zuma now presides over a country where only 15% of the citizens believe his administration can be trusted.
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But Zuma can remain impervious to public opinion because of his country’s idealistic but flawed parliamentary system. In the UK each MP’s job relies on the support of their direct community. In SA, appointment is determined by loyalty and service to their political party.
At the launch of the Biznews Club London last week, Bernard Swanepoel didn’t spend any time debating SA’s political system. Rather, he offered a very rational perspective of where the country is now and the future it offers to those, like himself, who choose to live there.
The lightly edited transcript of his presentation is available on the Premium section for you to peruse at your leisure. Its thrust is clear: SA remains a land of great opportunity, but only for those who appreciate the parameters within which they must function.
Swanepoel believes SA’s organised business blundered by coalescing behind ousted finance minister Pravin Gordhan. He says given a system where cabinet serves at the pleasure of the president, Gordhan was a bet on a losing horse. All that energy of the business-driven Team SA, he says, would have been far better invested elsewhere.
Those seeking to be part of the national solution should, firstly, set the best example they can, including personally resisting the drift to corruption. And then to focus their attention by helping effect change where it matters – through the ballot box. Overlaying all this, he added, is a need to truly understand that South Africa is a frontier economy, one offering all the rewards of a young democracy but within a high risk political environment.
This is a recurring theme from entrepreneurs I’ve met from all over the world. The one thing the elite among business builders share is a conviction that success comes from fully understanding the environment they operate in. Using this as the foundation prevents them from wasting energy trying to move the boundaries. That they leave to time rich professional managers in big business. Instead, successful entrepreneurs focus on how best to take advantage of the opportunities on offer. Wherever they might be.
