Hi there,

We’ve had one of those stretches of really bad news which SA seems to run into every few years.

The new version of the so-called BB-BEE codes stink of an entrenchment of crony capitalism. The original spirit was for companies to help in developing the previously disadvantaged by empowering them with skills and education. Teaching a man to fish rather than feeding him smoked salmon.

After the ill-advised Mbeki-era directive to create “role models” made some individuals fabulously rich simply because they knew the right people, we seemed to realize the collective error of our ways. We were promised that things would change. Even that “Broad Based” was to be added to the BEE title.

A nation hoped for a flood of money into educational trusts, the obvious vehicle to help the many. And we were told continuously that the new codes would promote broader empowerment. Instead, it’s same-old, same old. As our interview with Safiyya Patel uncovered, the new codes could more correctly Narrowly Based – Black Elite Enrichment.

Then we heard BMW saying it is reconsidering further investment in SA after the chaotic strikes of the past month, and Moody’s downgrading the country’s debt rating as a consequence. And not a word from a Government that seems to specialise in a LDV (look-duck-vanish) approach whenever things get hot – refusing to lead when it’s needed most.

And to top it all, Frans Cronje of the IRR reckons the immature hot-heat from Limpopo is sure to garner enough votes in 2014 to land himself and at least nine red-capped cohorts their own seats in Parliament. Malema’s media-friendly economic profanities are sure to generate exactly the kind of coverage this capital hungry developing country doesn’t need.

It’s enough to call for the razor blades.

Fortunately, in times like these, a little miracle always seems to arrive. Mine came in my daily reading. Look inside yourself, it urged. Because that’s all you can change. And once you do change it, the world outside becomes a different place.

It really does.

In my line of work that translates into: keep plugging away; keep exposing reality; keep heartened and focused. And know that if you help just one person to broaden their mind, to consider alternatives, you’ve made a contribution.

That’s why I love what we do at Biznewz.com. That’s why we all appreciate your support. And will never take it for granted.
Until next week.

Best
Alec