Drawing from personal experience, people I know and economic reports, I think there is more to South Africa’s skills shortage than the alleged non-existence of those skills. I’m sure they are there but are not being properly utilised. The “shortage” is consequence of labour politics, the economy and prejudices of employers. Having been unemployed and unable to find work in my specialisation of accounting, to which I devoted almost 20 years study and work, I realised the field is closed to me and must move on. Economists will say I’m a “discouraged job seeker” and will not be counted as unemployed – to be unemployed one must be actively looking for work. Realistically, I probably won’t have another permanent job again. I was the finance officer and accountant for a non-profit organisation in Cape Town. In September 2012, out of the blue, management called me to a meeting. A retrenchment consultant - like the George Clooney movie Up In The Air , told me I allegedly “cost too m...
This blog explores the issues, problems and challenges surrounding economic growth and development and governance. It includes previously published material.