We read that the president is so taken with the possibilities of the fourth industrial evolution that he has created yet another commission to ensure SA benefits from it. My reaction is: “Brace yourself, Cyril”. If we see all the developments that are being raved about, SA will experience the biggest rise in unemployment yet, and this will be accompanied by social unrest on a scale not even considered up to now. The reality is likely to be that more automation will require fewer and fewer workers. Yes, we hear that everybody will become a coder, but as a former director of an information company for more than 50 years I can tell you the vast majority of the population do not want to code, or are not suited to being coders. In any case, the likelihood is that there will be an increase in the use of ready developed packages and apps for the young, and these do not require coders. In fact, once up and running they rarely need significant staff to manage them. It is a fact that automat...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.