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RE: Postcard from the edge of the storm
I was listening to a South African economist on Youtube. He says that the countries around you may have greater economic growth. He says yours could also grow potentially if there is a bit more stability but the growth he says is around you.
Hard not to disagree with that view. I spend a lot of time outside of South Africa and frankly, it's like moving off a Monty Python set back into normal, whatever normal might be. This country has been battered by years of concerted efforts to divide and conquer us. Economic growth simply can't happen in the context of statist/centrist policy where certain factions are bleeding the state dry. Arguably, if the efforts were on bolstering the state's coffers and directed at growing the economy (for example, the way Ethiopia has implemented its highly centralised policies), we would be seeing a much different growth model. We have great, resilient people in this country who can rebound from many abuses, and they could be a strong contributor to that growth if entrepreneurialism and private investment were encouraged. All you have to do is look at what happened to the rand price of Bitcoin the last couple of days to know that capital is not looking to settle here - it's looking for wings out. There was a 30% premium over the dollar price of BTC on the South African exchange today. Yikes.
How sad. I have a friend who has had to leave Cape Town because of the crime situation there. She adores South Africa but as pensioner with no family she had to move here. The Rand worked in her favor. I have another friend who is going back to J-Burg
Sad for your friend who had to leave Cape Town; good to hear of someone coming back to Joburg. Everyone's journey is different.
I know and appreciate that. I would love to visit your country myself. Someday.
BTW, My CapeTown friend is shaken up and she may return. She likes to visit Israel.
😊😊