'Out of the box' thinking necessary to address SA problems

© Corina Rosu – 123RF.com

This was one of the main points made at the first Brain Trust on Infrastructure Development held in Johannesburg on 3 December, a private sector platform hosted by DuPont, that seeks to generate discussion on new approaches to the socio-economic dilemmas of South Africa and the rest of the continent.

This first Brain Trust was a collaborative effort involving four private sector players concerned about the lack of productive engagement between government and the private sector. The companies consist of global science company DuPont, global law firm Hogan Lovells, investment company Shanduka Group, and the Recycling and Economic Development Initiative of South Africa (REDISA).

"Government keeps asking how the private sector can contribute and we always say government must make the environment conducive. Let's see how we can meet government halfway," said Macfarlane Moleli, facilitator of the discussion.

Think innovatively

"Issues could be solved if we think innovatively and collaborate, because no company or organisation can solve Africa's challenges alone," said DuPont P&IP Business Leader, Richard Ntombela, referring not only to collaboration between the private sector and government, but also between business in South Africa and in other African countries.

Stacey Davidson of REDISA said one area where South Africa had been highly successful in public-private collaboration - and could share with other African countries - was the tyre-recycling industry. "This is an example of real out-of-the-box thinking. Instead of focusing on the linear economy where products are sold, distributed and thrown away, we should perhaps start focusing on stimulating the circular economy, where waste is turned into worth and not thrown away."

Julian Mixon of Shanduka Group said another successful example of public-private partnership in South Africa was the ongoing renewable energy programme, REIPPP. "We have seen government take the lead and it is a well-run programme. Through this public-private partnership, an international industrial and renewable energy company, Gestamp Renewable Industries, has set up a wind tower factory in Cape Town and is manufacturing a critical component in wind energy that previously had to be imported. Now we need to take our best practices further and show that when we engage with each other and with international companies, we address issues."

SA at cross-road

Commenting on the relationship between business in South Africa and the rest of Africa, Rajen Ranchhoojee, head of the Africa practice and partner in the projects and energy department at Hogan Lovells SA, said South Africa was at a cross-road in a sense.

"South Africa needs to decide it wants to be a springboard into Africa or an innovator. Do we want to be a country that grows through the benefit of foreign direct investment or do we, as the most developed country in Africa, want to capitalise on the Africa growth story by sharing our learnings and investing in the continent? South Africa is not nearly active enough in engaging the rest of Africa. It is only in the last five years that South African firms have taken a meaningful interest."