Wealth does not create infrastructure. Infrastructure creates wealth. - J. F. Kennedy (Op-ed) I think one of the biggest challenges setting us back from achievement is the false idea that sooner or later conditions will be so aligned that it will get better/easier for us to start that business, writing that book, mending our economy or chasing whichever dreams we might have. We think with a little more money we will be able to create wealth and richer experiences. But we forget that it is our prerogative to alter circumstances, else wise we are stuck in the same place. Eastern and Western countries made it so far ahead of us because they invested in infrastructure before the money was made. Today the same people are still putting aside so much of their GDPs to build more roads, better rail systems, to fund more advanced science education and research, etc. Africas budgets are normally skewed towards maintaining lifestyles and recurrent expenditures which have little or no future economic value. We lament and somehow hope that one day we will be able to compete in global markets, but more likely even if we nationalise all the natural resources and land in Africa we still wont compete without added value. South Africa for instance, hopes to stay competitive in auto manufacturing when the government is failing to manage even basic education standards, which are deplorable to put it mildly. Policy makers have to recognise when sacrifices are necessary and ease off the populist rhetoric a little. It is these sacrifices that will make us prosper as Africans. On a personal level, every person has to recognise that they are their own policy maker, government, central bank and industry. The same sacrifices required collectively are also required of the individual. We must invest our money, time, talents and brains to secure our separate futures. Do not wait for better conditions, that bus may never arrive.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Jul 2014 18:27:23 +0000
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