TRANSFORMATION AND CHANGE
Where great expectations collide with risk, surprise and inequality
Politics, power and the economy have become intertwined in SA and investors may be in for a bumpy ride
One’s expectations can severely skew opinions on the outcomes of events. Set low (such as for the state of the nation address), it’s hard for them to be disappointed; set too high and they are bound to be disappointed. The issue of setting expectations hit home while I was on two recent trips in Africa – one in Nigeria and one in SA. Friends seemed to have pretty low expectations for my visit to Nigeria and were pleasantly surprised, I think, that I hadn’t been kidnapped by Boko Haram or caught Ebola. While I had set my expectations a little higher, I was still surprised by the ease of getting around, the quality of the meetings I had and the people I met. The long queue for immigration was not unexpected. The quality of Nigeria’s roads was better than expected. By contrast, SA is held to a higher standard, perhaps reinforced by the level of inequality. The shiny Gautrain, the quality of the roads, the pursuit of excellence at the best wineries or the stratospheric restaurant qualit...
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