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implementation of the Act that could be debated. We are approaching three decades since South Africa became a democracy and yes, the poor remain poorer.

The time has come for Africans to look beyond the systems that were developed to undermine success and triumphs of the people of Africa. The time has indeed come for Africans to seek solutions from within, recognise African talent, take charge and advantage of what is uniquely African. Initiatives such as the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) present a rather unique opportunity for Africa to advance its economic ambitions.

In this edition our lead story is that of Linda Maqoma, the President of the Association for the Advancement of Black Accountants of Southern Africa (ABASA) whose journey resonates well with the efforts of transformation.

Inequality in South Africa should also not be dealt with in isolation or outside the socio-economic realities of the African continent. There are known similarities and socio-economic challenges in various African states where Africans remain poor with little or no access to resources and economic opportunities.

We also have our usual features looking at professionals who are leading in various institutions. One such individual who shares great leadership insights in this edition is Germinah Nyikana of Clicks. In addition, we have entrepreneurs who continue to create job opportunities even during tough economic times.

Sakhumzi “Saki” Mabhele

About 5 years ago, there was an attempt to answer the same question. I was invited by Black Scientist, Technicians, and Engineers Professional (BSTEP) to speak to their cohort of inventors seeking funding for their innovations. As part of motivating the young inventors and effectively Black Industrialist to be aligned to the industrial process (Invent, Prototype, Get technology readiness through prototyping and be first to market), I formulated the theory on thriving societies.

The theory goes something along this chain of thoughts. Every individual is an economic actor, and they have an agency to be central in how they economically survive. However if you were to compare me as an actor to a Bushman, the Bushman may at individual level have better skills to economically thrive. His hunting skills, survival skills and knowledge of the wild provides some qualities that edges him ahead of me.

Note that this is not a function of education, many extremely educated societies are neighbours to South Africa, but for lack of productive knowledge and a limited basket of products they can produce, these population have found solace in South Africa.

While indifference can be a plague and apathy can restrict one to irrelevance, a reflection on the South African productive systems requires a careful review. The South African auto-industry hosted its first Thought leadership dialogue through an event called the SA Auto week in October 2022. Vehicle manufacturing is the single biggest, industrial sector in South Africa and contributes around 7% to the national GDP. The ability to continue producing vehicles adds to the resilience of SA as a thriving society. This makes all developments in the industry of national importance, especially if the sector presents opportunities to develop more sophisticated products like Electric Vehicles.

Our primary markets in the UK and EU will stop buying petrol engine vehicles as early as 2030, which are currently producing. Fully placing on a count down our ability to continue thriving in these areas. The current barriers preventing or threatening such an eventual future include trade policy adjustments and improved price points for broader penetration.

Banking also requires some reflection as it holds promises for a thriving society. Just over century ago banking was a limited to individuals placing their money in a town’s treasury and hoping Billy the Kids does not break into the building. In the 70s ATM became the second revolution for the industry. Then at the Apex of the 90s, EFTs and internet banking became the third revolution. Towards the end of 2022, we were fully in the fourth revolution of banking already, and FINTECH has made banking already far wider and less intrusive than it has ever been. Airtime advance from my cellphone provider is banking and a new indirect form of micro-lending.

South Africa as a Thriving society needs production systems that are capable of responding to the innovation disruptions such as FINTECH and Electric vehicle. South Africa’s manufacturers need to stay in the innovation cycle to further develop their production capability or respond to emerging technologies such as electric vehicle production. Be Inspired SA!

Contributors

George Mfana Shikhati

George Mfana Shikhati founded Make A Difference, a non-profit organisation dedicated to aiding underprivileged families by donating school uniforms and food. As the COVID pandemic presented an obstacle for individual giving, George found another solution: selling eggs in Thembisa. This efficient initiative has provided sustainable income used to help those who need it most.

Lizeka Dlephu

Lizeka Dlephu is a force to be reckoned with in the sustainability field, currently serving as Head of Sustainability at Enel Green Power Southern Africa. She has also made an impressive impact on South African civil services. Lizeka previously served as B-BBEE Specialist and Transformation Manager responsible for promoting business transformation. She was HR Director in the civil service sector, and now works independently as a Non-Executive Director of the Civil Aviation Authority.

Mbongiseni Silomotion Sangweni

Mbongiseni Sangweni is a highly accomplished Managing Director with extensive experience in the media production arena. His specialties include Business Process, Financial Risk Management and Health Insurance as well as top-notch analytical skills and impressive business relationship expertise. He holds a National Diploma from the University of Johannesburg, where he majored in Mechanical Engineering - all setting him up for success!

Lelethu Mbikeni

In 2016, Lelethu Mbikeni embarked on a career journey full of surprising accomplishments. After completing her tertiary studies at Cape Peninsula University of Technology, she joined a Fintech company in Cape Town as a consultant. She soon found her passion for management roles - where her leadership acumen allowed unprecedented potential to be realized through transformative results. This led to further growth into the Software Development Project Manager position before founding Hope Cleaning Services with herself as sole Director, meanwhile finding time amidst it all to partake in road running for fitness and fun.