South Africans were quick off the mark with the public-private grid-tied renewable energy programme, then we fell behind. We were again quick off the mark with green hydrogen, then we fell behind. In the 70s, our platinum led the way in cleaning the air above all the big cities of the world, then it fell behind.
Our rhodium became the metal of choice to eradicate urban smog, but now there’s not enough of it to go around. We need to change our quick-to-slow slow sequence back to quick – period. Red tape must be taken out, political certainty brought in, an enabling environment created and long-term economic momentum enabled.
We’re beginning to hear positive sounds about social compacts and consensual economic recovery plans. This time round let’s do it, South Africa, and never have to look back.