“Harsh reality is always better than false hope.” ― Downton Abbey
Can someone explain to me why we don’t have a south African manufactured vehicle? Okay, maybe I am not clear; I mean a South African vehicle brand. Don’t tell me about VW, Mercedes Benz (that’s German) and Ford (American) or or…. What car was designed and developed for South Africa by South Africans? Okay, while you think of that, can someone tell me about a South African tyre brand? Where is the factory and how many tyres have they produced? Again, please don’t tell me about Goodyear (American), Bridgestone (Japanese) and Continental (German).
All these companies have a lot in common, obviously all of them not being South African, hence their boards (Executive) being made up of foreign staff and that is understandable, because they created these companies to benefit their people right? They also have history here and have managed to make South Africa the most industrialised nation in Africa, however, once the economy and conditions stop being conducive for them, they will pack up and hit the road, hence the Africa migration. Again, I don’t blame them, they would actually as businesses be in a space where they are no longer making money, so why should they stay? That would just be reckless.
What has all that to do with SA and 4IR? Well, my dear friends South Africa doesn’t have any First, second or third industrial anything really to write home about *okay, maybe I am pushing it a bit, coz we have mining and agriculture akere?* but even those are not truly mechanized because you know, unions and stuff *shrugs*.
Bro, we produce nothing as a country or if we do, government is not supportive of it, so it’s not produced on a mass scale and this leads me to, what do they understand about the fourth industrialisation or 4IR as they’re punting it everywhere? Do they understand that 4IR is meant to enhance all the other 3 industrial revolutions?
In no way am I saying Government shouldn’t be about 4IR, I am saying they should focus on having the economy and country ready for 4IR. The upcoming workforce is not ready, we have kids without toilets, classrooms, teachers, lights, water and the highly *luxurious* computer or internet, now how is government planning to be involved in 4IR?
Also, what do they mean when they say 2019 is the year for 4IR? Is it a campaign slogan to sound smart without actually promising anything? Maybe I’m lazy but what technological advancements are happening, led by or supported Government, in SA, to give government so much confidence that they can pull off 4IR? You still need Z84 to apply for a government jobs? You can’t even apply for your ID online, you still need to que at home affairs.
Or as usual, are they planning to import it?
Article By Nthabiseng Lucia Tselapedi (Blog: Theprofessionalyeahright)
Genius Level Blog – Let Your Ideas Outlive You
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