SME's - can entrepreneurialism survive in Africa
Mbeki and the AU continue to cry out about African solutions for African countries. Is ther any validity in this approach. Let us look at some background.
If we consider Europe, UK, China and Japan, in real terms it was not that long ago that these countries were monarchy based feudal systems. I am not knowledgable in this area, but somewhre along the line something happened which changed the status quo, and which created the opportunity for the peasants to improve their lot. Land ownership shifted from the feudal barons, church and the monarchy to the peasants. Previously they had to pay taxes on their crops to the feudal lord, but now they paid to the state. And slowly but surely they became more and more entrepreneurial.
Now correct me if I am wrong, but Africa is no different, other than that they are further back on the time scale. So surely Africa can read between the lines and leapfrog a few hundred years of suffering and get in step with the rest of the world who have already done so?
Why can Africa not shift land ownership from traditional leaders to the citizens of the country? Why can Africa not shift land ownership from governments to the citizens of the country?
Why can Africa not redefine the roles of their traditional leaders and bring the in line with the future direcion of the country?
I think the AU and Mbeki have missed the point. The future direction is similar for all countries in the world. While modern developed country solutions may not be applicable to Africa now, they soon could be if the leaders in Africa made the effort to take some bold steps and leapfrog the past.
Rob Smorfitt
SMEs can entrepreneurialism survive in Africa - To learn more about this author, visit Dr. Rob Smorfitt's Website.
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