There has been a lot of doom and gloom about SA around recently; the Economist says we are in ‘sad decline’; Clem Sunter says we have a 25% chance of becoming a ‘Failed State’; Moody’s and Standard and Poors have downgraded us (before the heard Minister Gordhan’s medium term budget speech); ‘Arab Spring’ is bandied about with alacrity. It’s not that we don’t have significant challenges, we definitely do. But, sometimes we need a little perspective. This letter from Paul Harris, a founder of First Rand, to a mate does just that.........

This blog was first circulated as a newsletter by Omega Investment Research, reproduced here with their permission: 

Several of our international Insight recipients have asked us to explain the reasons for and the effects of the recent (27 September) downgrading of the South African government’s bond rating from A3 to Baa1 by rating agent Moody’s. Although the downgrade, the first since apartheid, was widely reported in the South African media, there were very few reports which specifically spelt out the reasons for the downgrade. And, obviously, the reasons are of particular importance to investors.

Recently a word popped into my mind that seems to describe the current state of our nation - stuck. It came to me when I was in the gym, furiously peddling away on my static bike. We are living in a time of great ‘stuck-ness’ – moving neither back nor forward.

The release of the annual crime statistics is usually accompanied by calls for us to play our part in helping to reduce crime in South Africa. The release of the recent statistics was no exception.

Whilst one can’t argue that citizens of all countries must play an active role in creating a safe and peaceful country, what exactly are we supposed to do? I for one have no interest in joining the police reservists or driving around my neighbourhood late at night looking for suspicious activity – it’s just not my speed. So what else can we do?

 

"One in every two women is raped in South Africa" stated a pamphlet handed out at a school recently. "The fact is that 500,000 women are raped every year in South Africa" said the Natal Mercury in August. "We’re losing the war against rape" says the Sunday Times of September 23.

There is no denying that rape in SA is a significant challenge, but what are the "facts" and what are the estimates, and why is this important?

We complete our evening ritual as usual; a family hug, prayers, a short story and a goodnight kiss. The bottle is handed over and the night light is switched on so as to illuminate the Wonderland scene that my wife has painted on the nursery wall. We creep slowly out of the room and before we even reach the door we hear the contented sounds of a baby already deep in sleep.

I worry sometimes that many of us have little understanding, or appreciation, of the life of South Africans who work in very different jobs to those that we do. I came across this article written in our local newsletter, Notties Network, by the doorman of my local pub, Mr Tafadzwa Dliwayo. I enjoyed it, I hope you do too. Steuart Pennington

The series of stories ran by an eminent Sunday newspaper City Press, under the section, "Jobs and the young", has in more ways not just exposed us to the brutal truth we are currently facing but also reminds us of our responsibility in this crisis.

Steuart Pennington, CEO of SA - the Good News spent Sunday 12th August at TEDxRhodesU which renewed his hope for the future of South Africa.

I speak from experience when I say that South Africans living abroad are a strange lot. It seems that as soon as we touch down at JFK, Heathrow or Auckland Airport intending to stay for any length of time, we develop a maniacal schizophrenia regarding our motherland.

Steuart Pennington, CEO of SA - the Good News, writes about the service that he received whilst on a recent trip to the north coast of KZN.

"There can be no greater gift than that of giving one’s time and energy to help others without expecting anything in return." Nelson Mandela.

"Change can happen behind your back right in front of your eyes" it was once said. We often forget the considerable contribution that the NGO sector is making to the betterment of our society, so every now and again we like to feature a story of what the sector is doing and how it is changing SA. Steuart Pennington

Justin Foxton, founder of Stop Crime, Say Hello, writes about why the new National Police Commissioner may well be the right woman for the job.

Justin Foxton, founder of national awareness campaign "Stop Crime Say Hello", writes about his thoughts and experiences whilst running the recent Comrades Marathon.

Justin Foxton, from Stop Crime, Say Hello, blogs about the issues surrounding transport costs for domestic workers.

As we commemorate Child Protection Week (28 May to 3 June 2012), Therina Wentzel, national director of the National Council for Persons with Physical Disabilities in South Africa (NCPPDSA), highlights the need to raise awareness of children with disabilities in our country

Steuart Pennington blogs about the ongoing controversy sparked by Brett Murray's painting.

Justin Foxton, founder of Stop Crime, Say Hello, lends his support to Symphonia for South Africa's "School @ the Centre of Community" initiative.

Pepe Marais is running the Great Wall Marathon in China on the 19th of May to raise funds for One School at a Time.

Returning South African expatriates, particularly those who have been living in the UK, could be a key pillar in the recovery of the market for higher-priced homes says Ronald Ennik, CEO of Ennik Estates.

Steuart Pennington, CEO of SA - the Good News, questions what we will be celebrating on Human Rights Day.

A philosopher by training, Professor Deon Rossouw was director of the Centre for Business and Professional Ethics at the University of Pretoria before taking up his current position as CEO of the Ethics Institute of South Africa. He is the author of several books and articles, primarily in the field of business ethics and corporate governance.

Justin Foxton, of Stop Crime, Say Hello, blogs about how racism will only be defeated by individual actions.

Much has been written about the controversial DA Student Organisations poster campaign featuring a mixed race couple in a naked embrace. However more interesting than the imagery was the strapline; "In our future you wouldn’t look twice". It seems to beg the question; what else can we expect to see in a future South Africa ruled by the Democratic Alliance?