Realising the Economic Potential of South Africa’s Oceans

In steadily marching towards the dream of realising the economic potential of South Africa’s oceans, the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) introduces the Ocean Labs, a project which aims to agree strategies to optimise the economic potential of South Africa’s Ocean resources. According to Statistics South Africa, South Africa’s ocean economic potential ranges between R129 and R177 billion by 2033 with the ability to create between 800 000 to 1 million jobs. The KwaZulu Natal (KZN) provincial government is geared up and ready to step up to the plate to exploit the maritime and the economic potential it holds. An analysis of the oceans economy shows that it can be broadly classified into two areas: the Business as Usual and Potential New Growth Areas. The Potential New Growth Areas are currently creating little or no GDP contribution because the related industries are either nascent or underdeveloped. They do, however, offer significant new economic potential in respect of GDP contribution and job creation.

 

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Trade and Investment Opportunities in Africa 

The African continent has achieved remarkable growth over the past decade, on average more than 5% a year between 2003 and 2012. The size of the African economy as a collective has more than tripled and grown at twice the population growth rate. Foreign direct investments have grown at a compound rate of 12.3% since 2003. Political conflict has declined, economic growth is robust and economic management and governance has improved in most countries. All these factors have contributed to a marked shift in the global perception of the continent – from pessimism to enormous potential. Africa has indeed become a force to be reckoned with on a global level. As a result, the Political, Economic Analysis Research Unit of the ECIC, of which Zanele is part, realised it to be right time to compile a much needed publication about existing opportunities on the continent. Alex Rose-Innes talks to Zanele Sogoni, Economist at the Export Credit Insurance Corporation of South Africa (ECIC), who has co-authored a publication on Trade and Investment Opportunities in Africa and finds out the reasons behind this ground breaking publication.

 

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A Successful South African Start-up Story     

As Sunil Joshi, CEO and MD of Neotel, says, “Everyone likes to relate to a success story and the challenges that preceded it” and his own personal one and that of Neotel, are indeed tales of perseverance, innovative business thinking and success. They also paint a picture of how a major role-player in a tough and demanding industry can stay human – who values the contribution of his staff and acknowledges mistakes. Which is why it is no surprise how Neotel, as a telecommunications services provider, has grown from 2 staff to approximately 1000 and from ZERO Revenue to R3.9-billion in a mere seven-and a-half years and is now a company to be reckoned with in the ICT industry and more. It is no surprise that Neotel as a company, grew from two laptops and a business case spreadsheet to a company to be reckoned with, in a mere seven-and-a-half years.

 

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Jaguar F-Type: It’s good to Be Bad       

Believe it or not, ‘It’s good to be bad’ is actually part of the slogan for the Jaguar F-TYPE. But, if you look at this beautifully sculptured replacement for the Jaguar E-TYPE, you won’t want to agree with the statement. Rather, you may want to think along the lines of what Phil Popham, Group Marketing Director, Jaguar Land Rover, says: “The F-TYPE Coupé provides its driver with a unique, two-seater sports car experience. It combines seductive design with cutting-edge technology and performance which is truly breath-taking. Engaging, precise, intuitive and alive – it is the definitive sports coupé.” The new F-TYPE Coupé is the most beautiful and dynamically capable, performance-focused, production Jaguar ever, but if you really want to know more, then strap yourself to the seat, push the start button and experience the goose bumps when the V8 delivering 405kW/680Nm snarls at you and leaves you believing that the ferocious F-TYPE leaving you in no doubt that this car means business.

 

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