There have been since the advent of the Cyril Ramaphosa presidency small explosions in meetings between the government and business. Another "roundtable" takes place on Thursday under the auspices of the World Economic Forum; previously there were investor roadshows, engagements with ratings agencies, meetings under the auspices of the heads of Commonwealth states meeting, preparatory meetings for the Group of Seven and so on. These meetings take place in a contradictory atmosphere: there is hope, but also frustration; there is the promise of a fresh start, but also a sense of dialogue fatigue; there are new plans, but also many old problems that keep SA locked in a static pattern. Yet, beyond the avalanche of pressing issues, it is important to notice one major change: the government’s attitude to business is different. The bickering and carping of the Zuma era have given way to something approaching mutual respect, and it is crucial that this moment is not lost.
One sign of ...
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