South Africa is lucky to have been able to reclaim the country from a president (Jacob Zuma) who used business as a scapegoat and called it the enemy, Bonang Mohale, CEO of Business Leadership South Africa (BLSA), said on Tuesday.
He was speaking at the launch of the Western Cape chapter of the organisation, an independent forum through which prominent business leaders engage key players to create effective dialogue with government and other stakeholders.
"President Cyril Ramaphosa is business friendly. South Africa has been given its last chance with Cyril. So, it is up to the business sector to increase engagement. If this engagement goes well, there is hope for the country," he said.
"The aim should be for the 17 million South Africans who receive social grants to be enabled to reach their potential by getting jobs. These jobs can be created by business."
He believes that if the opportunity brought by the Ramaphosa era is not used properly, business in SA will end up in some sort of no man's land.
"So, we launch BLSA Cape Town against this backdrop. Business must use every moment to capitalise on this last chance and demand to be heard," he said.
On the road forward, he sees the protection of any whistle blowers about corruption or state capture as important.
