Oliver Tambo’s vision of South Africa as an equal society can only be realised if widespread socio-economic transformation takes place. This is likely to require not only economic growth, but inclusive growth and the wholesale restructure of the economy, especially in productive and labour absorptive sectors. This has implications for the institutional landscape of South Africa, and in particular the management of South Africa’s fiscal and monetary policy, as well as the general economic management of the country. Most of all, it will require bold and visionary leadership to steer the country towards increasing prosperity.
To wrap up our 2019 calendar of events, the Foundation held a Business Breakfast Fundraiser panel discussion, on the 3rd of December at GIBS, targeted at senior executives in the public and private sector. The fundraiser, titled Realising Tambo’s Vision for an Equal Society: A Retrospective of 25 Years of Democracy, compared O.R.’s dream for a liberated South Africa against the current socio-economic climate.
The Business Breakfast was facilitated by veteran journalist, Siki Mgabadeli. The panel included Governor of the Reserve Bank of South Africa, Mr Lesetja Kganyago; Former Justice of the Constitutional Court, Justice Albie Sachs; Chancellor of the Nelson Mandela University, Ms Geraldine Fraser-Moleketi; and CEO of The Solomon Mahlangu Freedom College), Mr Tlholohelo Mohlathe. Each of the panellists were engaging and made time to engage with attendees after the panel discussion.
The Foundation invited 10 learners and teachers from O.R.’s alma mater, St Martin’s (then St Peter’s) to attend the event and learn from the prestigious panel. The learners thoroughly enjoyed the event and their interaction with the panellists. One of the learners, Letani Keyter had this to say, “It also strikes me that everything he (O.R.) stood for is still relevant today, and he really understood the art of caring for a meaningful cause.”