Opportunity Issue 88 - Sept-Oct 2018
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how the introduction of Uber and Taxify have caused<br />
much consternation and unrest within our public<br />
transport sector. While there has been no backlash<br />
yet, the digital disruption to things like medical aid<br />
and e-learning are also likely to create bigger divides<br />
within health and education sectors, between private<br />
and public funded initiatives. Business and government<br />
must work together to find a cohesive solution.<br />
These are big issues when one thinks that these<br />
sectors receive the lion’s share of public funding<br />
and government is moving towards the national<br />
health insurance policy. Is it perhaps time to rethink<br />
public-private partnerships? Is it time to recapacitate<br />
institutions such as NEDLAC for more robust social<br />
dialogue? Or do we simply need to make space for<br />
activism by civil society and the media?<br />
One thing is certain; South Africa should proceed<br />
with caution. Yes, digitisation can bring great leaps<br />
in development and innovative solutions to social<br />
problems. One cannot digitise integrity though. Case<br />
studies from several countries show that while the<br />
introduction of integrated financial management<br />
information systems has streamlined government<br />
accounting, it has also provided the corrupt with an<br />
easier way to loot the system. This can be said for any<br />
procurement or tender process that involves entries<br />
into a non-transparent and closed digital system. So<br />
what to do? We can no longer rely on the values of an<br />
office holder not to pervert the system.<br />
Well for one, it is important that there are checks<br />
and balances, both within the digital system, and in<br />
the bodies responsible for monitoring these systems.<br />
Information should be available to the public and be<br />
transparent. No one should be free from scrutiny.<br />
Also, constant vigilance is required, with regular<br />
reviews and reforms to the systems and regulations<br />
in order to continually close loopholes. Think of it as<br />
one would think of the tax system. Tax evaders exist<br />
no matter how strong the system is. But the job of<br />
authorities is to be ever vigilant and reduce the opportunity<br />
for evasion or creative accounting. The same<br />
goes for the broader economy as it moves to more and<br />
more technology-driven means of exchange.<br />
As the year closes, SACCI is optimistic in the ability<br />
of social partners to work together on these issues. We<br />
can overcome the shock and horror of state capture<br />
under president Zuma. And we can work together<br />
to avoid such a situation ever occurring again. By<br />
implementing the right monitoring and evaluation<br />
processes and the rebuilding of strong anti-corruption<br />
agencies, strong institutions and re-establishing the<br />
rule of law, the future for South Africa and doing business<br />
in South Africa remains hopeful.<br />
Wishing all readers the best for closure of <strong>2018</strong>,<br />
and prosperity for 2019.<br />
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