Latest news with #NikEberl
IOL News
5 days ago
- Business
- IOL News
R2 billion for Formula 1? Here's why it could be South Africa's smartest investment yet
Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) .He will be writing a regular column in Business Report. Image: Supplied When news broke that hosting a Formula 1 Grand Prix in South Africa could cost as much as R2 billion, the headlines focused on the bill. The critics warned of wasteful spending. Parliament debated priorities. But while the accountants saw a liability, I saw something very different: 20 000 jobs waiting to be created and an economy in motion. Yes, R2 billion is a significant investment. But as Singapore discovered when it launched its Grand Prix in 2008, the right event can pay for itself many times over. According to the Singapore Tourism Board, the race generates about S$150 million (R2bn) annually in visitor spending and economic impact. Independent studies put the return on investment at three to five times every dollar spent. Apply those multipliers to South Africa, and you are looking at R6bn to R10bn circulating through our economy — from hotels and restaurants to construction, transport, media, and broadcast rights. And that's before considering the long-term reputational benefits that mega-events create. Because here's the part of the equation that rarely makes it into political soundbites: the jobs don't come from the race itself — they come from the ripple effects that the race sets in motion. More Than a Weekend Take Montreal. When it first hosted a Formula 1 race in 1978, roughly 2 000 people were employed directly for the event. Today, its motorsport sector — spanning events, tourism, suppliers, and services — sustains more than 13 000 jobs annually. These are not weekend positions. They represent a permanent industry cluster built around skills, suppliers, and global demand. Or look at Singapore. When it signed its Formula 1 contract, critics called it frivolous. Today, the Grand Prix remains the city-state's largest annual sporting event, drawing 250 000 visitors a year and boosting Singapore's image far beyond the racetrack. The impact goes beyond the estimated R2bn in annual economic activity; it has repositioned Singapore from a purely financial centre to a dynamic global hub for innovation and entertainment. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading That perception shift is more than PR. As I've learned from interviewing over 500 business and public leaders for my books on leadership and economic development, investment follows inspiration. Talent follows excitement. Innovation follows ambition. Formula 1 sends a message that South Africa is open for high-value industries, not just commodity exports. Counting the Jobs Sceptics ask: where do 20 000 jobs come from? The answer lies in the combined layers of direct, indirect, and induced employment. Direct roles would include 2 000 track marshals, safety crews, and technical staff, along with 3 000 jobs in hospitality — from hotels to restaurants to transport operators. Preparing Kyalami for Grade 1 certification (it currently holds Grade 2 status) would generate another 5 000 construction and infrastructure jobs. But those are just the immediate roles. The real economic spark comes from the opportunities created once the global spotlight turns to South Africa. Every international broadcast markets our capacity to host at the highest level. Every tourist becomes a brand ambassador. Every executive in the grandstands sees a nation capable of delivering excellence. This is precisely what happened after the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. Leisure tourism jumped by 31% year on year following the tournament. Conference bookings doubled in the years that followed, particularly in Cape Town and Durban. And foreign investors — buoyed by renewed confidence in South Africa's capabilities — increased their commitments the following year. The legacy wasn't just in stadiums; it was in belief. Beyond the Race Track With the right vision, Formula 1 can catalyse more than temporary employment. It can become a platform for skill development and global integration. Picture a young engineer in Durban trained in race technology, later hired by international motorsport suppliers. Imagine graduates in Soweto coding for European tech firms because South Africa is viewed as an innovation-friendly hub. Envision township-based catering companies servicing international teams, gaining the credibility to expand globally. These outcomes don't happen automatically. They require alignment — between the government, business, and civil society — to ensure that investment in mega-events translates into long-term capacity. But with the right structures in place, the pay-off can be immense. Can We Afford Not To? Kyalami is not yet ready for Formula 1. It needs safety upgrades, pit facilities, and media infrastructure to achieve Grade 1 certification. The projected R2bn cost is real. But so is the upside. According to PwC and Oxford Economics, Formula 1 host cities typically generate between R1.8bn and R7.2bn annually from tourism, sponsorship, and media exposure. Job creation can reach 10 000 to 20 000 positions, depending on the scale of the supporting economy. So, the question South Africa should ask is not, 'Can we afford it?' It's, 'Can we afford not to?' In a world where automation threatens traditional industries and AI is set to transform entire sectors by 2027, South Africa needs catalysts for growth, skills, and global relevance. Formula 1 is not a silver bullet. But it is a proven accelerant. When the engines roar to life at Kyalami — hopefully by 2027 — they will do more than start a race. They will start careers, launch businesses, and inspire ambition across a generation. Because while critics debate costs, the real question is whether South Africa can afford to stand still. The world isn't waiting. And the future, much like Formula 1 itself, is already racing toward us at 300 kilometres per hour. Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) and author of Nation of Champions: How South Africa won the World Cup of Destination Branding. *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL. BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
18-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Making SA's national dialogue truly inclusive: A Mandela Day blueprint for unity and progress
Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) .He will be writing a regular column in Business Report. Image: Supplied When President Cyril Ramaphosa launched South Africa's National Dialogue last week, it reignited a powerful hope - that our fractured nation could come together, once again, to chart a shared path forward. The timing could not be more fitting. As we celebrate Mandela Day, we are reminded of Madiba's unwavering belief that dialogue is the most powerful tool we have to resolve our deepest differences and build a society grounded in dignity, justice, and unity. But to succeed, this dialogue must do more than gather leaders behind closed doors. It must be fully inclusive, reaching every corner of our country and every voice of our society. That's not just a political imperative - it's a moral one. From Soccer to Solidarity: The Lessons of 2010 We've seen before what unity can look like in South Africa. When we hosted the 2010 FIFA World Cup, it wasn't just a sporting event—it was a national movement. I had the privilege of serving as the Head of the Brand Ambassador Program, where tens of thousands of ordinary South Africans became storytellers, hosts, and leaders. Townships, rural villages, corporates, and taxi ranks all felt the electricity of shared purpose. That success wasn't accidental. It was built on inclusive planning, local ownership, relentless communication, and a vision that made every citizen feel like a stakeholder. If we want this dialogue to leave a legacy like 2010 did, it must follow the same blueprint - but with deeper intent. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading Begin with a People's Charter for Dialogue As Mandela did with the Codesa talks, we must ground the process in a clear and public mandate. A National Dialogue Charter should be co-created with representatives from all sectors - civil society, business, labour, youth, academia, traditional leaders, and opposition parties. It must outline the dialogue's purpose, scope, structure, and principles - including equity, transparency, and citizen ownership. Let the public comment. Let them shape it. Mandela taught us that process shapes outcome. If we begin with inclusion, we end with legitimacy. Representation Is Not Enough - We Need Participation Inclusion isn't just who sits at the table. It's who helps set the table. To honour Mandela's commitment to grassroots democracy, we must ensure representation from: Youth, through dedicated tracks and forums that centre their future. Women, as equal decision-makers across all levels. Townships and rural communities, through locally hosted forums in community halls, churches, and schools. Labour and informal workers, through platforms linked to Nedlac. Disabled citizens, by investing in accessible venues, interpretation, and transportation. Immigrants, refugees, and ethnic minorities, whose voices are often silenced but whose futures are tied to ours. In 2010, we went out to the people. We brought the event into their spaces. The dialogue must do the same. Multiple Entry Points for a United Conversation Not everyone can attend a summit in Pretoria. But everyone can participate and play a role. The dialogue should follow a three-tiered structure: Community Listening Circles, gathering local concerns and aspirations. Provincial Dialogues, to synthesise and elevate key issues. The National Summit, where diverse voices deliberate and ratify the People's Agenda. Digital engagement must play a core role - using WhatsApp, SMS, and radio call-ins to capture rural and urban insights alike. The 2010 model of Fan Fests and mobile activations can inspire a National Dialogue Roadshow - bringing the conversation to taxi ranks, campuses, and marketplaces. Independent Oversight for Real Accountability Mandela never feared being held accountable - he welcomed it. The dialogue must follow that example. We need a Public Inclusion Council, independently appointed, to: Audit demographic and geographic representation, Ensure fair access, And publish monthly Inclusion Scorecards. This is not window dressing. It is trust-building infrastructure. And without it, the process risks becoming an elite ivory tower. Let Citizens Influence the Outcome The greatest danger is that this becomes another talk shop. Mandela warned us many a time of dialogue without delivery. That is why the dialogue must lead to action: Adopt a Participatory Consensus Model, advancing ideas with broad, cross-sector support. Implement the Top 10 Public Recommendations within government and business reform agendas. Use Citizens' Assemblies to resolve difficult policy impasses. Much like the infrastructure, training, and tourism strategies left behind in 2010, this dialogue must leave a visible legacy - of laws changed, lives improved, and promises kept. Use Culture and Storytelling to Build Unity Mandela knew the power of storytelling to heal and inspire. So must we. Let this dialogue come alive through art, music, murals, and oral history. Partner with poets, singers, and media producers to make the process tangible and moving. In 2010, the vuvuzela became a national symbol. In 2025, let it be the voice of the people themselves. Conclusion: A Mandela Day Challenge As we reflect on Mandela's life today, we remember not only his words, but his method: 'It is never my custom to use words lightly. If twenty-seven years in prison have done anything to us, it was to use the silence of solitude to make us understand how precious words are and how real dialogue is.' This National Dialogue is our opportunity to listen again. To each other. To our past. To our possible future. Let us honour Madiba's legacy - not with commemorations alone, but by designing a process that restores dignity, inspires unity, and delivers justice. The time for real, inclusive, courageous dialogue is now. Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) and author of Nation of Champions: How South Africa won the World Cup of Destination Branding *** The views expressed here do not necessarily represent those of Independent Media or IOL BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
11-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Turning tariffs into triumph: How South Africa can turn Trump's 30% blow into a global jobs advantage
Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) .He will be writing a regular column in Business Report. Image: Supplied Earlier this week, US President Donald Trump announced a sweeping 30% tariff on all goods imported from South Africa, citing "unfair trade practices" and a lack of reciprocity. While the decision has rattled exporters and drawn sharp criticism from Pretoria, it may well be the catalyst we need to rethink our economic destiny. Rather than respond with indignation or fear, South Africa should view this challenge as an opportunity: to accelerate innovation, create new export markets, and, above all, build jobs for our youth - both at home and abroad. We've faced shocks before. From sanctions during apartheid to the 2008 global financial crisis, from Covid-19 to greylisting - South Africans have shown resilience in adversity. This tariff shock, while painful, could become a turning point, especially if aligned with the outcomes of the recent Future of Jobs Summit™. The time has come to build a youth-powered export economy - not reliant on old trade patterns, but on bold new industries and global opportunity. Here is a 10-step national response strategy - a roadmap to turning Trump's tariff into opportunity for the next generation. 1. Launch a 'Jobs Through Exports' National Task Force The government must move fast to establish a Presidential Jobs and Exports Task Force, composed of trade negotiators, youth employment leaders, industrialists, and tech entrepreneurs. This task force should develop job-led export policies tied to global growth sectors - digital services, AI, agritech, green energy, and creative industries. The goal? To link every trade decision to job outcomes. 2. Expand Global Business Services (GBS) to Absorb Displaced Workers One of South Africa's most promising job creation stories is the GBS sector, which has already created over 150 000 youth jobs by servicing global clients. The Future of Jobs Summit™ referenced the plan to grow this to 500 000 by 2030. Now is the time to double down. Redirect displaced workers from tariff-hit industries like citrus and wine into customer support, legal process outsourcing, and tech support roles targeting Europe, Asia, and the Middle East. 3. Establish Export Zones for Youth-Owned Businesses Create Export Opportunity Zones (EOZs) in townships and rural areas, where youth entrepreneurs can produce goods and services for global markets, supported by tax breaks, seed capital, and global mentorship. Focus on e-commerce exports, fashion, crafts, digital goods, and virtual services. These zones can become global brand ambassadors for South African creativity. 4. Fast-Track Youth into High-Growth Export Sectors The sectors of the future are borderless: AI, coding, data science, cybersecurity, climate tech. We must ramp up public-private bootcamps, leveraging platforms like SAP's Educate to Employ and Young Professionals Programmes. These jobs can be delivered remotely from South Africa to the world. 5. Negotiate Tariff Off-Ramps in Exchange for Youth Empowerment Commitments Use the upcoming trade negotiation window not to beg for mercy - but to offer bold solutions. Propose a phased tariff rollback in exchange for youth-focused trade reforms, including reducing red tape on US imports that create jobs here (e.g. agri-tech, solar kits, education tech). 6. Diversify Export Markets with a Youth Lens The US is important - but not irreplaceable. We must move faster into Africa, the Middle East, India, China, and Latin America. But not just with commodities - with young entrepreneurs offering services and solutions. Government trade offices should target youth buyers abroad - young consumers, startups, digital platforms - and match them with SA youth suppliers. 7. Global Youth Placement Programme: Export Our Talent Why not treat our talented youth like our avocados and wine? Launch a Global Youth Work Placement Programme to partner with allies (Germany, UAE, Singapore, Canada) and place 50 000 South African youth per year into global internships, apprenticeships and service opportunities. 8. Create the SA Youth Export Accelerator Build a digital platform, backed by public and private funding, that matches youth-owned products and services with global demand. Think 'Shopify meets LinkedIn meets Alibaba.' Provide fulfilment, logistics, marketing and translation support—so our youth can export their skills, crafts, code, and creativity directly to global buyers. 9. Use the Future of Jobs Summit™ Blueprint as a Global Proof Point The recent Future of Jobs Summit™ generated a national blueprint for job creation through public-private action. This document must now become South Africa's economic diplomacy tool - used at the G20, World Trade Organisation, and Agoa renegotiations - to show the world we are not protectionist, but future-ready. 10. Rebrand the Nation Around Youth Potential Finally, South Africa must reposition itself globally - not as a victim of tariffs, but as a nation of youthful problem-solvers. Let's launch a bold campaign under the 'Made by SA Youth' banner. Show the world our coders, our storytellers, our green builders. Make every export, every service, every job part of a greater story: that South Africa is young, gifted, and open for global business. In Conclusion President Trump's tariffs may appear to be a heavy blow. But history teaches us: pressure creates diamonds. We have two options - retreat into victimhood or rise with purpose. The second path is not easy. But it offers something greater than avoiding a 30% tariff: a shot at economic self-determination, powered by our youth. If we play this right - turning this crisis into a coordinated, youth-driven export revolution - South Africa could emerge not just as a nation that endured Trump's tariff war, but one that outsmarted it and created a million new pathways into global world has thrown us a challenge. Let's answer it - not with anger, but with action, ambition and audacity.
IOL News
04-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Turning G20 into a job-creation engine: Lessons from India's one million jobs project
Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) .He will be writing a regular column in Business Report. Image: Supplied As South Africa is gearing up to host the world's leaders at the G20 Plenary Summit in November 2025, one question looms large – how can we leverage the world's attention to boost job creation and grow the economy inclusively? There are many lessons to be applied in leveraging the G20 presidency for job creation - in particular India's 2023 hosting offers a compelling job creation blueprint for South Africa. By focusing on infrastructure, tourism, foreign investment, SME development, and workforce upskilling, India created over one million jobs before, during, and after the summit. South Africa can replicate and refine this model to leave a lasting economic impact. Here's how South Africa can maximize the G20 opportunity for job creation. 1. Infrastructure Development: A Boom for Construction and Urban Jobs Hosting the G20 required significant investments in infrastructure across major cities, including New Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, and Varanasi. The Indian government fast-tracked projects such as: Expansion and beautification of New Delhi's Pragati Maidan, the primary summit venue. Airport upgrades, including Delhi's Indira Gandhi International Airport, to accommodate global leaders. Smart city enhancements, including better waste management, green spaces, and street lighting. Job Creation Impact: Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading Over 200 000 direct jobs were created in construction, engineering, and urban planning. Indirect employment opportunities emerged in cement, steel, logistics, and real estate. The hospitality sector also saw job growth, with hotels hiring additional staff for maintenance and event hosting. Long-Term Impact: Many of these infrastructure developments continue to benefit the economy, boosting real estate values and improving urban living standards. South Africa's Job Creation Opportunity Hosting the G20 provides a strong business case for accelerating infrastructure projects that will create thousands of jobs in: Transport & logistics – Road and rail expansion to improve trade routes. Energy sector – Renewable energy projects to tackle power shortages. Smart cities – Upgrading urban centers with better roads, housing, and tech hubs. By aligning G20 investments with South Africa's infrastructure development plan, we can create sustainable jobs at scale and boost investor confidence. 2. Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) India strategically positioned the G20 Summit as an opportunity to attract foreign direct investment (FDI) and expand corporate presence in key industries. The government: Held high-level investment summits alongside G20 meetings. Showcased India's manufacturing, digital economy, and green energy sectors. Launched the Invest India G20 Initiative, promoting India as a prime investment hub. Job Creation Impact India secured $100+ billion in investment pledges from global corporations. Expansion of foreign companies in India, particularly in EV manufacturing, fintech, and semiconductors, leading to 50 000+ high-skilled jobs. Indian startups gained visibility, attracting venture capital funding and supporting employment in the tech and digital sectors. Long-Term Impact: The influx of foreign investment strengthened India's industrial base, creating sustainable employment in automobile manufacturing, renewable energy, and artificial intelligence (AI). South Africa's FDI Opportunity The G20 is a powerful platform to attract investors in: Mining and Green Energy – A push for critical minerals like lithium and green hydrogen. Technology & AI – Positioning SA as a tech hub for Africa. Agriculture & Food Processing – Scaling up agribusiness to create jobs in rural areas. Job Impact: If South Africa secures just $10 billion (R175bn) in new investments, it could create 50 000+ direct and indirect jobs across these sectors. 3. Empowering Local Businesses & SMEs To ensure that small businesses benefited from G20 spending, the Indian government implemented a "Vocal for Local" procurement strategy. This included: Prioritising Indian manufacturers and suppliers for event-related procurement (furniture, decorations, and catering). Promoting regional cuisines and local textile industries during G20 events. Encouraging women-led and rural enterprises to provide handcrafted gifts for G20 delegates. Job Creation Impact Over 150 000 MSMEs (Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises) gained new contracts, securing jobs for artisans, weavers, and food producers. Gig workers and freelancers saw increased demand in areas like content creation, marketing, and logistics. The growth of digital payment systems enabled small businesses to scale up and expand post-G20. Long-Term Impact: The G20 reinforced India's Make in India initiative, positioning local businesses for continued export growth and job sustainability. South Africa's SME Opportunity The G20 should be structured to benefit township businesses, informal traders, and local SMEs through: Local supplier contracts for catering, event planning, security, and transport. Promoting African-made products to delegates and investors. Digital platforms to connect global buyers with South African SMEs. Job Impact: If even 20% of G20 spending goes to SMEs, this could create tens of thousands of jobs in the informal and small business sector. Final Thoughts: The G20 as a Job Creation Catalyst for South Africa India's G20 presidency was not just a diplomatic success - it was an economic and employment driver. By focusing on infrastructure, tourism, investment, small businesses, and workforce upskilling, India created over one million jobs during and after the summit. With high unemployment and global economic shifts, South Africa must think big and act strategically. The G20 presidency is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to create jobs, attract investment, and position South Africa as a leader in Africa's economic future. Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) and author of Nation of Champions: How South Africa won the World Cup of Destination Branding BUSINESS REPORT
IOL News
20-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Welcome to Prosper Nation, a weekly column reshaping the narrative about SA's potential
Dr Nik Eberl is the Founder & Executive Chair: The Future of Jobs Summit™ (Official T20 Side Event) .He will be writing a regular column in Business Report. Welcome to Prosper Nation, a weekly column dedicated to reshaping the narrative about South Africa's potential - and charting a new path to sustainable prosperity. This platform is born out of a belief that our greatest national resource is not mineral wealth or coastal beauty but our people and our untapped collective ambition. Each week, I will unpack the ideas, strategies, and stories that hold the power to turn South Africa into one of the Top 10 most prosperous nations on earth. Why Prosper Nation and Why Now? South Africa is brimming with potential. Yet we stand at a crossroads: high youth unemployment, structural inequality, and political fatigue have made many South Africans lose faith in our collective future. But I've seen what's possible when belief is restored. In 2010, I had the honour of developing and leading South Africa's Brand Ambassador Campaign for the FIFA World Cup™ - a campaign that would go on to earn the highest visitor brand score in the history of the tournament. We achieved that by doing something profound: uniting South Africans behind a shared story of excellence and possibility. We told the world we were ready - and then proved it. That campaign taught me that prosperity is not just GDP or job statistics. Prosperity is belief in action. When people believe in their country, their leaders, and their role in the future, they build with conviction. The 2010 Leadership ROI Hosted by South Africa, the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ was a shining example of what can be achieved when all members of a team, in this case the entire country, pull together behind a single vision and a common goal. It was none other than Nelson Mandela who had initiated the 2010 vision of 'hosting the most successful World Cup ever' (as pronounced by President Thabo Mbeki) when he travelled, against his doctors' advice, all the way to Zurich to address the FIFA World Cup Committee and lifted the World Cup trophy as South Africa was announced the host of the 2010 edition. For the following six years, it was almost miraculous to watch how all the stakeholders of Team South Africa, from government to business, civic society and even the churches, came together to deliver what CNN called 'the most memorable World Cup of all time'. And visitors did rate 2010 the best World Cup ever, as South Africa achieved a 92% Net Promoter Score (still the highest to date) and FIFA rated the country's service delivery for the World Cup 9 out of 10. Following the 2010 World Cup, South Africa's leisure tourism grew 30% year-on-year (and business tourism more than 39%) – and the exchange rate went all the way up to R7/$ in July 2010. Such is the power of leadership alignment. What You can expect from this column In the coming weeks and months, Prosper Nation will explore the foundational drivers of prosperity through five lenses: The Future of Jobs: Drawing from the national conversation sparked by our recent Future of Jobs Summit , we'll examine the high-potential industries poised to reshape our economy—from digital services and green energy to advanced manufacturing and agritech. Drawing from the national conversation sparked by our recent , we'll examine the high-potential industries poised to reshape our economy—from digital services and green energy to advanced manufacturing and agritech. Leadership That Builds: Over the past ten years, I have interviewed more than 500 business and public sector leaders across the country. These conversations offer a goldmine of insight - about what works, what doesn't, and what South African leadership needs to look like in the decade ahead. Over the past ten years, I have interviewed more than 500 business and public sector leaders across the country. These conversations offer a goldmine of insight - about what works, what doesn't, and what South African leadership needs to look like in the decade ahead. Spotlighting Hidden Champions: South Africa is already home to dozens of companies leading their niche globally—but too few know their names. We will tell their stories and share the strategies that can be scaled across sectors. South Africa is already home to dozens of companies leading their niche globally—but too few know their names. We will tell their stories and share the strategies that can be scaled across sectors. Unlocking Human Capital: We will explore how to transform South Africa into a global talent hub, capable of retaining its brightest minds and attracting the world's top innovators, developers, and creators. We will explore how to transform South Africa into a global talent hub, capable of retaining its brightest minds and attracting the world's top innovators, developers, and creators. Benchmarking Global Best Practice: We will regularly refer to tools like the Global Prosperity Index to measure where we stand - and where we must improve - across education, health, governance, social capital, and business conditions. From Insights to Action The Inaugural Future of Jobs Summit revealed something vital: South Africans aren't short on ideas - they're short on aligned action. We need platforms where business, government, educators, and entrepreneurs can co-create new solutions, not just exchange complaints. That's what this column will be: a bridge between vision and execution. We'll translate ideas into policy suggestions, citizen initiatives, and enterprise strategies. And we'll invite everyone - especially young South Africans - to see themselves as architects of the future, not just observers. Building Our Prosper Nation - Together In 2010, we reminded the world that South Africa could do the impossible. Now, it's time to do it again - but this time, not just for a tournament, but for our people. I believe South Africa has what it takes to become one of the most innovative, inclusive, and prosperous nations of the 21st century. And I invite you to join me on this journey - not just as a reader, but as a partner in building a future we can all believe in.
