Real Estate Investor Magazine South Africa November 2019 | Page 9

EDITORIAL VIEW JOHANN RUPERT Springbok RWC win brings hope to a challenging economy & real estate market EMAIL [email protected] INTERVIEWS tv REItv Adapt labour legislation to allow the unemployed who have been unemployed for 6 months or more, to voluntarily enter into any contracts they wish with employers –¬ especially owners of micro enterprises. Remove all red tape that imposes unnecessary costs on entrepreneurs and prevents them from providing goods and services to consumers in the most efficient and effective manner. When this is done, the consequence will be a proliferation of businesses, especially in the labour-intensive SME sector. These proposals would directly target the poor, free them from poverty in a manner that enhances economic growth and allows the economy to function optimally. In considering the proposed changes, it would be useful if government were to take note of world economic history. The Industrial Revolution that changed the world forever was set in motion by specific policy changes. Our nation is full of talented businessmen and property entrepreneurs. Let’s take the message of success and positivity from the Springboks and apply it to our business mentality. Recently I was privileged to be part of the announcement of 731 apartments at the city centre at Steyn City in Johannesburg. Douw Steyn, the founder and co-investor with Giuseppe Plumari has invested more than R6, 5 billion in infrastructure already, and now they are investing an additional R,5 billion into this new project. They want to develop the best lifestyle estate that South Africa has to offer. The fact that these people have faith in the future of this country is the message we need to take forward. Successful investing NEALE PETERSEN EDITOR-IN-CHIEF NELSON MANDELA “ “ I n 1995, when the Springboks won the Rugby World Cup (RWC) final it changed the hopes, dreams and fortunes of many South Africans. The accolades flowed in for the 2019 South African rugby team after their incredible 32-12 victo- ry over England in their recent RWC final. The Springboks’ win is far more than just about rugby. It has created another chance for belief in a nation struggling internally with itself. The team knows how much a victory means to a battered nation clamouring for a smidgeon of positivity, success and hope both socially and economically. In the post-match interviews the messages were positive and eloquent. We heard Siya Kolisi, our captain, give introspective views and insights on their motivation to bring the nation together. His comments give the country positive hope of what is possible when we act as a team… When people come together for a common purpose. A lesson we can certainly implement in our businesses when the chips are down. Temba Nolutshungu, director of the Free Market Foundation (FMF) is adamant that now being the right time for a radical policy about-turn from the government to grow the economy. The FMF was instrumental in the post-apartheid negotiations and directly influenced the Constitutional Commission to include the property rights clause: a critical cornerstone of economic freedom. Nolutshungu says that only a policy that places the interests of the people above the narrow interests of politicians at the helm of the government and their rent-seeking bedfellows will make a difference. He details specific policies that can bring about dramatic positive changes in a recent column: Abandon all race-based legislation and regulations that cause racial tensions, slow economic growth, and increase - not reduce - the poverty of the poor. Give the poor people of the country (on a means-tested basis) ownership shares in all state-owned enterprises inherited from the apartheid government as was done successfully in the Czech Republic Give full and unrestricted ownership of the municipal houses they rightfully live in, to the occupants, and give traditional communities (as communities) title, with full ownership and management control over the land that is rightfully theirs. This double-edged measure alone would be a catalyst for economic self- empowerment on an unprecedented scale, he says. Sport has the power to change the world. It has the power to inspire, it has the power to unite people in a way that little else does. FaceBook LIVE REAL ESTATE RADIO PodCasts SA Real Estate Investor Magazine NOVEMBER/DECEMBER 2019 7