South Africa needs practical implementation of solutions at ground level to stop further economic deterioration.
Speaking at the annual Investing in African Mining Indaba in Cape Town, Roger Baxter, CEO of the Minerals Council, stressed that talk of solutions was simply not going to cut it considering the dire economic situation in the country.
“In South Africa we know what the challenges and issues are. We have engaged tirelessly over what the solutions are and we know what they are. We now need action, action, action,” he said. “What is critical right now is to be practical.”
He said in the mining sector this was moving forward thanks to a deputy director general (DDG) being dedicated to assisting the industry with bottlenecks on the ground. “Whether that is licensing issues with Nersa, registrations, Eskom generation, environmental issues or logistical challenges. We are hoping to see this approach really make a difference as it will allow us to go to the DDG on an individual project level to get bottlenecks addressed.”
He said South Africa needed smart tape and not red tape. “An efficient system is now needed if we want to turn this ship around.”
Thabo Mokoena, director general for the Department of Mineral Resources, agreed with Baxter saying efforts in his department were aimed at delivering exactly that – efficiency.
He said there were real attempts being made to bring about policy stability and clarity as well as more integration between government departments.
Baxter said while the current situation in the country was a consequence of a decade of mismanagement and corruption of the previous government, the current political leadership needed to act with a great sense of urgency to turn the economy around.
Various mining companies have shared this sentiment calling for practical interventions - be it the supply of resources like energy and water or addressing the crime situation.
There was agreement at the Indaba that the time to act was now and any further delays in implementation of solutions would cost South Africa and its businesses dearly.
The Indaba draws to a close today.
