Abstract
M.Comm.
Consider the existence of a multi racial country in the grips of political unrest: a staggering population explosion, coupled with massive unemployment: a low or negative economic growth rate, political assassinations and considered by some to be a socialist rut mutiny.
What chance scenario can be sketched for such a country to progress on economic territory, in order to create peace and prosperity for its citizens? The facts pertained in the first paragraph is not an overview of South Africa in 1995, but of Singapore in 1959. In 1994 (3 years later) Singapore was once again rated as the most competitive newly industrialised nation by the World Competitiveness report. (Ryan, 1993, p 23). In sharp contrast, South Africa slipped from eighth to eleventh place in a fifteen way comparison of emerging industrial nations.
In South Africa in 1995, debate is mired in defensive posturing, demands for living wages supersede job creation drives, with the observance of correct retrenchment procedures coming before productivity. South Africa's productivity stumbling-blocks in 1995 reflects a very close resemblance (mirror image) of obstacles experienced by Singapore in 1959. The mentioned scenario has been replaced by Singapore in 1994, rated as the most competitive newly industrialised nation. The "mirror image" was short lived in Singapore, but not in South Africa. What did Singapore do right? Can the wrongs in South Africa's productivity make up be changed?