At last South Africans have something to celebrate as we head into the end-of-year holiday season. Our troubles are far from over of course, but the recent changes in government leadership have given us cause to feel optimistic about the future. It’s invigorating to read positive headlines again, particularly those that indicate a shift in sentiment by foreign investors. Along with skills development, this is something the country desperately needs if we hope to remain globally competitive in a marketplace shaped by the new digital technologies.
All efforts in this regard are unlikely to be successful though unless there are clear policy guidelines in place, supported by both government and business. I doubt that this could ever have happened in the environment of greed and distrust that festered over the last few years. However, the new approach of zero tolerance to corruption and incompetence, in both government and business, bodes well for an environment of cooperation where leaders from both sides feel happy to participate. What we need are short, medium and long-term strategies to guide South Africa out of its economic malaise and, whether we like it or not, Industry 4.0 will have an influence because it has become too powerful to ignore.
In the short term, the strategy needs to change the ethos of labour from one of suspicion to one of involvement. In the medium term, it must address the problem of reskilling all those workers displaced by the technologies of Industry 4.0. (Simplistically, the workers who were displaced by robots must be taught how to build robots.) During this phase we also need a clear policy on education to ensure that our youth are properly qualified for the digital era. For the long term, we need a sharp image of the type of society we want to create in the future. For instance, do we still just want to be blasting minerals from the ground in twenty years’ time, or do we aspire to perfect the art of beneficiation by then.
The policies we make today will determine our future. What I am ready to celebrate is that it is now far more likely that these policies will be made by men and women of vision, rather than self-serving vanity. Guest columnist Oratile Sematle has more to say on the subject of policy and technology in the article ‘Emerging technologies pose a pressing governance challenge’.
In closure for 2018, a note of thanks to all our advertisers and readers from the team at SA Instrumentation and Control – we wish you a safe and happy year-end break. Come back refreshed and ready to tackle the challenges of 2019.
BMG achieves GBCSA Net Zero Waste Level 2 Certification Bearing Man Group t/a BMG
News
BMG has achieved Green Building Council South Africa Net Zero Waste Level 2 Certification after diverting more than 90% of operational waste from landfill, demonstrating how practical sustainability measures can deliver measurable environmental and commercial benefits.
Read more...Pump spares and parts for Africa
News
KSB Pumps and Valves explains how its decentralised stockholding and local manufacturing keep spares and parts available across its installed base in Africa.
Read more...Inspiration for times of change Endress+Hauser South Africa
News
More than 2000 customers, partners and experts gathered in Basel, Switzerland, for the Endress+Hauser Global Forum in April 2026. Under the theme of driving sustainable transformation together, the event combined keynote sessions on strategy, technology and the future of work with practical case studies from across the process industry.
Read more...The gender gap in SA’s engineering sector
News
South Africa’s engineering sector is facing a critical gender imbalance, with women making up just 16% of registered engineering professionals compared to 84% of men.
Read more...Safe removal of the historic US 181
News
Mammoet provided the heavy-lift expertise that helped remove the 2300 ton centre span of the historic US 181 Harbor Bridge in Corpus Christi, Texas, using a precision lift-and-lower method that protected nearby marine environments and reopened navigation channels swiftly.
Read more...Africa Energy Indaba 2027 aims to ignite the power revolution
News
Africa Energy Indaba 2027 takes place from 2 to 4 March 2027 at the Cape Town International Convention Centre, bringing together ministers, utilities, investors and developers to accelerate energy generation, unlock investment and drive the continent’s industrial future.
Read more...Major bearing tender for SKF SKF South Africa
News
SKF has secured a major bearing supply tender from an Algerian steelmaker, reinforcing its position in the metals segment across North Africa.
While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.
printer friendly version