The return to load shedding has been like a dumpster tipping muck over South Africa’s green shoots of recovery. Cynics are now back in full voice after the worst power cuts in four years. And the already well-stocked pool of emigrants threatens to keep growing, exporting skills the country cannot afford to lose.
I experienced a little of this dark mood yesterday during Brightrock’s post-Davos panel breakfast at GIBS, where at least initially, there was a decided pall over proceedings. Not surprisingly. It takes a special effort to see sunshine after you’ve battled through gridlocked caused by unpowered traffic lights.
But such efforts are now vital. Because only by retaining perspective is one able to ensure a crisis of this magnitude is not wasted. Plus, although the disaster at Eskom is rightly front and centre right now – and its lessons must be applied to ensure no repeat – look past the current travails and there is reason to hope.
I’ll be sharing these perspectives in the post-Davos presentations later this week and next. There are still some tickets left for Durban this Thursday (click here); Cape Town on Monday (click here) and Joburg next Thursday (click here). Hope to see you there. If not, four words to remember: This Too Shall Pass.
