The main problem we now have is the culture of entitlement.
Of you look at the far East, countries like Malaysia, they have NO raw materials, etc., but have to import the loy. Over a couple of decades they have gone from broke to some of the richest countries in the world?
Why? It is called a work ethic.
Their workers work 12 hours a day, 7 days a week, to produce the goods from the imported raw materials. They earn a pittance, which makes their goods very competitive world wide.
While NOT insinuating that those working hours are right, we are at the completely opposite side of the tipping scale.
We are the opposite side of the balance pole to Malaysia. We have un-dreamed of potential - a large work force, great climate, a great internal infrastructure (albeit deteriorating), etc.
So why are we not en route to richness, growth and a great furure for all?
Simple.
Unions demand higher and higher pay and benefits for their members, and less and less working time: less production for more benefits.
They cannot, and will not, see that this makes us LESS competitive in world markets (the clothing industry is good example - even the ANC import T-Shirts from China for their functions as the local versions are too expensive.
They want local shops to only stock locally-manufactured goods to support the local (expensive) industries. They won't see that their members (already below/just on) the breadline, cannot afford to pay, say, 35% - 40% more for the same shirt they could get the previous week from China - etc.
In a nutshell - we need a decent work ethic, with people's income linked to production.
If a person does not produce, be able to fire him/her, and replace with a productiove person.
The opposite of where people who are dishonest, and are caught stealing red handed, cannot be fired, but Unions will support them and forse employees to keep them on.
And then they wonder why foreign investment goes elsewhere. And even local investors are moving to Botswana or Lesotho. They "don't understand it". Do you?
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