Does South Africa have the potential to become a global player?

Question

And what do we, as South Africans, have to do to make it happen?

Answer 1

Yes, I think South Africa has great potential, there are so many things that S.A can contribute to the world, but only when there is more stability and order is the country. We need less crime, less fraud, less hate speech, less criminal government officials and more respect for each other. Less discrimination to both sides (Black and White). More equal opportunities to jobs. Black or white or any other race, when a person is qualified for the job it's his/hers. But that is one of our downfalls, too many unqualified, uneducated people are in jobs that they just cannot do because of the political views on apartheid. Apartheid was not every body's choice, but all have to pay for it. But yes, I think if all this problems are solved one day, we can become a player.

Answer 2

Not in my lifetime ( which still has a long way to go). If you look at development of Eastern and some South American Countries it was built on the back of investment in people i.e. education and knowledge. South Africa still has a huge illiterate population and education standards have been lowered to such an extent that they are no longer acceptable in the West. South Africa's economy continues to be built on the back of Tourism,Mining and Foreign Investment which in many respects are the foundations of 3rd World Countries. They dig their wealth out of the ground sell it overseas and buy it back in the form of manufactured goods. Can you see anything different happening in the future? A huge factor is the ruling regime and if anything South Africa has exported some of its best intellectuals and skills and will continue to do so whilst it is unsafe to live there and the quality of life does not compare to that which can be achieved in the likes of Australia etc. To change it you need to get rid of Communism and the ANC and accept Western democratic values but that is not going to happen.

Answer 3

The moment all South Africans start working together, we will make it as a nation. The potential is there, we just need to harvest it.

Answer 4

Absolutley. Give them time, maybe a few good leaders in the upcoming years. They have unlimited potential allthough they have to deal with alot of crisis and have major responsibility in the world and africa. Maybe that can work to thier advantage. South Africa is an excellent place and the people are smart and wonderfull.

I cant wait to see them thrive even more. God bless them

Answer 5

We are already a global player. We only need to keep the momentum and ensure that whoever takes over from Mbeki is well read and respected by the world. It would not be in the country's interest to behave like Zimbabwe, by telling the world to go hang, while the country is going down the drain. I believe that Mbeki has raised the bar for future leaders in terms of importance in the world of politics and economics. The next person must definitely not be selected because he would change things like our economic strategy. Though SA is a developing country, we are respected because we have the basics right!

Answer 6

No. To be a global player means espousing Western values and electing a competent government.
South Africa will end up like Zimbabwe. Sorry.

Answer 7

No because at the current rate it is going they will follow Zimbabwe soon

Answer 8

yes. but there have to be some dramatic changes to exchange control, and our cost of labour, which is way too high.

Answer 9

Yes, yes we can i can't add to this as previous answers cover the basics.