2012 has come and gone and we have survived doomsday predictions, international turmoil, rampant increases in almost everything as well as violent strikes. One cannot be blamed for feeling a bit fatigued by just reviewing the year that has past. That said we are now poised, looking out over a new dawn, with new excitement and new obstacles. With a year ahead that will most probably be filled with many an unexpected bump and dive as well as a "surprise" or two from our leaders in their much disciplined spending patterns, we as a nation can at least be pretty sure that 2013 is not going to be boring.
On home front we are still eagerly awaiting the fun filled enema of the e-tolling system with Eskom feverishly putting on the surgical gloves for their beloved increases. Internationally America still faces a fiscal cliff whilst their politicians seem insistent on leaving every decision to the last possible point. Europe is still embattled with stained and smelly waters, where they find their economic heads struggling to lift out of the toilet bowl long enough to even grasp fresh air. What used to be the world’s wealth is now fast developing into a big open air museum for Asian travelers. Pleasingly for us as mere mortals we find that our traditional “safe haven” investment sectors is rapidly becoming more complex and last but not least our political environment is starting to morph into a mad episode of Dallas, just without the director.
In our turbulent world filled with, conflicting views, confused politicians (not just in SA) and knife edge decision making we are pretty sure all business sectors can budget on a year filled with massive changes and shifts. As entrepreneurs we have to find solace in the words of Peter F Drucker: “The entrepreneur always searches for change, responds to it, and exploits it as an opportunity".Otherwise we might just surrender ourselves to the rubber rooms of the insanity wards, as most believe we already belong there anyway.
The light that shines in our economical tunnel must be seen as the continent of Africa. As a firm assisting entrepreneurs entering the African markets it is our belief that 2013 will again empower Africa to prove itself as an investor darling offering real returns and stable economic growth. Part of our belief is based on simple facts. Facts like that Ghana outgrew the Brazilian economy by 4 times this year. As we pump up the dingy for the turbulent seas that may be 2013 we are at least comforted by the fact that Africa will still provide an abundance of opportunities for the most vibrant and ambitious entrepreneurs the world has: South Africans.
Have a blessed 2013 and remember Africa is open for business. Are you?
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