Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Leading Stories >> 1-16 Octoberber 2005

Views from outside on South Africa and the Free State

The Executive Director of the Goldfields Chamber of Business at Welkom and also Chairperson of SACOB Free State, Mr. Aubrey Nyschens, has just returned from an extensive private and business trip in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom. Nyschens held wide-ranging discussions with business and other people in the countries he visited and also met with South Africans living abroad.
The editor of the Free State Business Bulletin, Dr. Johann Dannhauser, questioned Nyschens about his visit and the views he encountered on South Africa and also the Free State in particular.
Which countries and places did you visit?
The United States, Canada and the UK. In the US, I visited Washington State, Oregon and Washington DC. Specific places included inter alia Portland, Chicago and Canon Beach. In Canada I was in Toronto and Ottawa and surrounding areas, as well as the Niagra Falls area, Couburg and Merrickvale. In England visits were confined to the London area, while in Scotland Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, Aberdeen, the Scottish Highlands and the Loch Lomond area were visited.
What in essence were the general viewpoints expressed by businesspeople you spoke to abroad?
There was a noticeable hardening of attitudes to South Africa and Africa in regard to economic, political and security matters. It was surprising to find how well persons and organisations were informed on South Africa in matters such as our economy, crime, security and corruption at all levels. Our labour legislation, black empowerment policy and other matters affecting possible investments and economic relations with South Africa and Africa were questioned. The situation in Zimbabwe and South Africa's role therein were particularly criticised. Central Europe, especially the Balkans, were instead favoured as investment areas.
Large scale investments by leading Asian motor manufacturers in the motor industry of Canada (Toronto) were also unexpected, especially as the Ford Corporation and General Motors have their administrative and manufacturing industry in this area. The economic and job-creation spin-offs to small and medium business in the Canadian automotive manufacturing sector were indeed impressive.
How do you, objectively, rate the chances of in particular the Free State of attracting in the foreseeable future significant investments from the countries concerned?
The chances of the Free State and South Africa of obtaining significant investments from all countries visited do not appear to be easy. Specifically as far as the Free State is concerned, matters such as a cargo airport and the provision of an adequate and suitable transport infrastructure in the most viable areas of our province was stressed.
For sake of interest, how does a small-sized American city like Portland compare with Welkom for instance?
It is difficult to compare the two cities of the Free State and a smallish American city like Portland, which has a population in excess of one million and an adjoining area with a population of the same magnitude.
Portland is a liberal minded, highly advanced first world city, while the Free State cities are part of a third world country grappling with social, economic and development problems. Portland is considerably more advanced in numerous ways including administration and development.
What, in a nutshell, did you come across as the attitude of young South Africans living abroad?
I met quite a number of South Africans of all races in the countries visited. These pioneering adventurous citizens of our land are showing their mettle and ability in highly competitive circumstances. Except for family ties and sentimental and emotional reasons, not one expressed a desire to return at present to South Africa. As a matter of fact, a number asked what I could do to assist them in obtaining permanent residence in their current countries of residence. It was merely a perception from their side that I might be in a position to assist.
Observations in general?
I encountered a general opinion from people that they were not in favour of foreign countries exporting their problems to them for solutions and to the detriment of their economy, their military and security situation, their quality of life, and their agricultural and industrial development. There was a considerate attitude to grant assistance only on strict acceptable conditions and procedures.
It was also found on several instances that local and overseas entrepreneurs consider it to be economically more viable to export materials from South Africa for manufacturing to Hong Kong and thence directly to the countries I visited. Thus there is a preference not to have factories based in either South Africa or their countries of residence.