SA could halve unemployment in 7 years

By Frank Nxumalo
South Africa could secure up to 50% employment for its economically active population by 2014 if the economy grew by at least 4,5%, JP Landman a political and economic trends analyst told the annual South African Institute of Directors in Johannesburg today.

Landman said only 9.5 million or 39% of the 15 years to 65 years age group of South Africans were employed at present. He said even a 3,5% economic growth over the same period could see the country's employment rate rise to 47%. However Landman said there were several key conditions, which he termed 'tipping points' which the country had to meet if it was to achieve this economic holy grail.

Landman said key among these tipping points was the country's ability to accumulate 'social capital' and the respect and enforcement of rules and norms. The chief components of social capital were a world class infrastructure including schools, hospitals, roads, dams, bridges and a highly trained and well equipped corps of teachers and police. "While it is not possible to predict the future, it is possible to have an intelligent discussion about the future and about how to build social capital.

"The fundamental starting point of social progress for any nation is good social capital which in turn is built on trust, a sense of shared values and reciprocity. The respect and enforcement of rules and norms is also critical in building national wealth -- I don't have a problem with Jacob Zuma entering into a plea bargain with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) but the process must be allowed to take its course in a transparent way. If Mark Thatcher and Adriaan Vlok could enter into a plea bargain with the NPA, why not Jacob Zuma?"