Opinion / Columnist
Education is not a panacea to economic transformation
17 Aug 2011 at 14:35hrs | Views
JOHANNESBURG - Education is not a panacea of freedom, it is not a panacea of black economic emancipation as we have seen in Zimbabwe.
I am still intrigued by the many responses of Moneyweb readers with regard to the nationalisation debate. I must put in my two cents worth with regard to the advice that education will address the seemingly lack of economic transformation in South Africa.
My argument here is that, it is not an automatic consequence that by education the economy will transform. Through economic transformation we are seeking to re-engineer this society, this economic system that we have so that more blacks can generate their own incomes and create their own wealth. This is not only necessary but incumbent upon any black government to make sure that it happens and will shape the politics of the future.
Education does assist but I have met seemingly uneducated entrepreneurs who now have worldwide brands. The secret to me is about opportunity- broadening money making opportunities for the black majority so that they can empower themselves.
Zimbabweans became too educated and became more academic than technical. They are very good managers but are bad entrepreneurs and have failed to create their own industrial base despite having the skills. In addition the political environment became to stifling and played too large a part in the economic sector. For me that is what South Africa must avoid at all costs.
What we need to ask is why despite the myriad of opportunities that exists in South Africa, blacks are not becoming a large part of the business sector? I have dealt with this before. The structure of this economy is not conducive to entrepreneurs. The major issues are government red tape, lack of access to finance, unfair business practice by monopolies in every sector of this economy and racism. I will say this 20 times; capitalist structures have created poverty in South Africa and state capitalism dressed as nationalisation will not address the problems we face.
Yes we must utilise idle land and we must reverse the ownership of multiple farms by minority families because that is unfair. There is no reason why we must only focus on lessening the power of monopolies in other sectors and not agriculture. Blacks must get access to land. But what will determine the future of this country will be democracy, multi-party politics and the continuous open debate on what is best for this country. Education is not a panacea of freedom, it is not a panacea of black economic emancipation as we have seen in Zimbabwe. It is indeed one of the critical ingredients for success and that is all.
It is perturbing however to note that many readers here seem to quickly label anyone of us commenting on economic transformation as racists. What a pity because I think they are failing to grasp the critical danger that faces us all-lack of black economic progress.
In my opinion the government can only do as much as we allow it and as it faces a barrage of dissent it is likely to only harden its stance on this issue. Rather let us as a collective cause meaningful economic change to happen- we have no choice.
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Vince Musewe is an independent economist. Write to him at: vtmusewe@gmail.com
I am still intrigued by the many responses of Moneyweb readers with regard to the nationalisation debate. I must put in my two cents worth with regard to the advice that education will address the seemingly lack of economic transformation in South Africa.
My argument here is that, it is not an automatic consequence that by education the economy will transform. Through economic transformation we are seeking to re-engineer this society, this economic system that we have so that more blacks can generate their own incomes and create their own wealth. This is not only necessary but incumbent upon any black government to make sure that it happens and will shape the politics of the future.
Education does assist but I have met seemingly uneducated entrepreneurs who now have worldwide brands. The secret to me is about opportunity- broadening money making opportunities for the black majority so that they can empower themselves.
Zimbabweans became too educated and became more academic than technical. They are very good managers but are bad entrepreneurs and have failed to create their own industrial base despite having the skills. In addition the political environment became to stifling and played too large a part in the economic sector. For me that is what South Africa must avoid at all costs.
Yes we must utilise idle land and we must reverse the ownership of multiple farms by minority families because that is unfair. There is no reason why we must only focus on lessening the power of monopolies in other sectors and not agriculture. Blacks must get access to land. But what will determine the future of this country will be democracy, multi-party politics and the continuous open debate on what is best for this country. Education is not a panacea of freedom, it is not a panacea of black economic emancipation as we have seen in Zimbabwe. It is indeed one of the critical ingredients for success and that is all.
It is perturbing however to note that many readers here seem to quickly label anyone of us commenting on economic transformation as racists. What a pity because I think they are failing to grasp the critical danger that faces us all-lack of black economic progress.
In my opinion the government can only do as much as we allow it and as it faces a barrage of dissent it is likely to only harden its stance on this issue. Rather let us as a collective cause meaningful economic change to happen- we have no choice.
--------------
Vince Musewe is an independent economist. Write to him at: vtmusewe@gmail.com
Source - Vince Musewe
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