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Editorial comments

Looking at the year ahead, the major factors determining the well-being/growth of the SMME/emerging business sector in SA, could perhaps be narrowed down to the following three :
• Law enforcements in SA - or the lack of it. Most informed and respected commentators agree that a lack of law enforcement in the country is the major dampening factor on general economic growth. We have a lot of laws, but they are not being properly enforced. Senseless murders, daylight robberies, plundering of natural resources, blatant white collar crime, do-as-you-please on SA roads- all these manifestations contribute to a rampant crime rate deterring spontaneous entrepreneurship and foreign investment and seriously undermining business confidence.
• Overly so-called affirmative action. While this is a complicated issue, the upshot is that a pre-arranged game outcome not allowing all the country's participants equal opportunity and a level playing field, constitutes an incisive impediment to natural economic growth. The exodus of skilled people has also a telling effect. The sooner a situation is reached of only first class citizens - judged on merit only - the better for everybody.
• Zimbabwean spill-over. Two things : Firstly, the socio-economic crisis already rampant in Zimbabwe - how is it to directly affect the SA economy? Secondly, the policies of the Mugabe regime - how are they being effectively viewed and responded to by the SA government? These are questions that can have a significant bearing on the SA economy, including the SMME sector.

Whatever - hopefully we would by the end of the year be in a position to assess in hindsight this editorial.

Congratulations, MAC !
Significant space in this edition is being allocated to the results of the implementation of the MAC (National manufacturing advisory centres) program in the nine provinces. These results are simply a success story to cheer about. Whereas unfortunately in the general developmental field of the SA SMME sector there is little practical to rejoice about, the MAC program is a shining examle of what could be achieved! To our mind, the main reason for the success of the program, lies with the expertise, professionalism, purposefulness and dedication of the MAC staff both at head office in Pretoria as well as at the individual centres. Generally the right people have been selected for the job. In addition, the correct business formula is evidently, being applied. It's a job well done and we salute you.

FDC diary
We cannot refrain ourselves from uttering here a complimentary remark on the 2003 diary handed out by the Free State Development Corporation (FDC). It is one of the finest corporate promotional items we have seen in a long time - professionally, tastefully and loaded with motivation for the user. Last year the corporate “look and feel” of the FDC has improved notably and this diary further reflects it. To quote from one piece of wisdom appearing in the diary : “Focus on where you want to go, instead of where you're coming from and, most importantly, decide to be happy”. And : “Think about this intrinsic idea that reminds us: Yesterday is but a dream and to-morrow is only a vision, but to-day well-lived makes yesterday a dream of happiness, and every tomorrow a vision of hope.”

Sterkte alle entrepreneurs !
Hierdie koerant gaan oor ontwikkeling en entrepreneurskap. Entrepreneurs is 'n spesiale klas mens waarin enige een kan wees wat die kwaliteite het. Wat presies daardie kwaliteite is, is 'n gesprek vir 'n ander dag, maar vir alle entrepreneurs as die eintlike aandrywers van die ekonomie, sê ons : Sterkte vir hierdie jaar en mag elkeen sy / haar doelwit bereik !