Many may argue that the world is an increasingly difficult place, with volatile economies, unstable societies and climate change wreaking near havoc as far as the eye can see. We are no economists, sociologists or climate change experts, but without necessarily refuting those claims, one could argue that the world is a different place that is not any more difficult than we are accustomed to.We may not be in Dorothy’s Kansas anymore, but this new place that the world has arrived at is seemingly pretty familiar, and proudly declares, “Anything goes.” The pigs get wings and they fly; the cows finally come home; and hell may very well freeze over.The world IS a very different place no doubt. What is most evident is that the world economic playing field has been levelled for a New York minute. Suddenly, Africa is a proper economic frontier with wave after wave of failed businessmen coming out to Africa to “share their valuable experience.” Recent research continues to prove this is the continent to invest in, and this very much is Africa’s moment. But then, let us not forget that it was this “experience” that got us into the trouble we are in now in the first place. Isn’t it?So what to do, Africa? Do we drive them back into the sea from whence they came? As romantic as this may sound to some, this view is also silly. There is value in all experience. There are lessons we can learn to avoid getting the royal shafting the rest of the world has got. Africa, for the most part, has had a slightly softer ride through the crisis. We have heard many views on why this has been the case. The view that this author likes is that we have always had less, so losing a little is not something new.Africa has been suffering an economic crisis for centuries! As soon as we hear economic crisis, we panic. What to do? What not to do? Should we save or should we spend? Spend on what? When? A lot of questions and unfortunately a lot of answers… In one of his annual New Year’s messages, investor Warren Buffet made four declarations:All hard work brings profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty;Never depend on a single source of income;If you buy things you don’t need, you’ll soon sell things you need; andDon’t save what is left after spending; Spend what is left after saving. .So, there you have it: less talking, work hard, spend what you actually have, do not buy things that you do not really need… Yeah, right! This is where the different versus difficult argument comes in. During difficult economic times, we behave differently. We do all the things Mr. Buffet suggests: save, work hard, etc. It is when things are good that we do all the opposites. We do not work as hard; we do not plan our purchases. As is painfully obvious, we do not save…Africa, we need to do things differently. We need to do the things that will allow us to take advantage of the opportunities that the current world situation presents. Why do you think we have so many folks ‘pushing into Africa’ these days? It is simply the recognition that there is money to be made in Africa. Let me say that again: there is money to be made in Africa.Surely, dear African, we the residents should be playing our part in making this money. Do I hear the skeptics saying “That will be the day when hell freezes over?”Well, welcome to a different world, a different Africa, a different continent and a different Botswana that has the opportunities, resources and most importantly the ability to create its own wealth.If hell freezes over, we’ll learn to ice skate. I hear it is pretty fun! Africa is ready to accommodate our own Warren Buffet’s.
Many may argue that the world is an increasingly difficult place, with volatile economies, unstable societies and climate change wreaking near havoc as far as the eye can see. We are no economists, sociologists or climate change experts, but without necessarily refuting those claims, one could argue that the world is a different place that is not any more difficult than we are accustomed to.We may not be in Dorothy’s Kansas anymore, but this new place that the world has arrived at is seemingly pretty familiar, and proudly declares, “Anything goes.” The pigs get wings and they fly; the cows finally come home; and hell may very well freeze over.The world IS a very different place no doubt. What is most evident is that the world economic playing field has been levelled for a New York minute. Suddenly, Africa is a proper economic frontier with wave after wave of failed businessmen coming out to Africa to “share their valuable experience.” Recent research continues to prove this is the continent to invest in, and this very much is Africa’s moment. But then, let us not forget that it was this “experience” that got us into the trouble we are in now in the first place. Isn’t it?So what to do, Africa? Do we drive them back into the sea from whence they came? As romantic as this may sound to some, this view is also silly. There is value in all experience. There are lessons we can learn to avoid getting the royal shafting the rest of the world has got. Africa, for the most part, has had a slightly softer ride through the crisis. We have heard many views on why this has been the case. The view that this author likes is that we have always had less, so losing a little is not something new.Africa has been suffering an economic crisis for centuries! As soon as we hear economic crisis, we panic. What to do? What not to do? Should we save or should we spend? Spend on what? When? A lot of questions and unfortunately a lot of answers… In one of his annual New Year’s messages, investor Warren Buffet made four declarations:All hard work brings profit, but mere talk leads only to poverty;Never depend on a single source of income;If you buy things you don’t need, you’ll soon sell things you need; andDon’t save what is left after spending; Spend what is left after saving. .So, there you have it: less talking, work hard, spend what you actually have, do not buy things that you do not really need… Yeah, right! This is where the different versus difficult argument comes in. During difficult economic times, we behave differently. We do all the things Mr. Buffet suggests: save, work hard, etc. It is when things are good that we do all the opposites. We do not work as hard; we do not plan our purchases. As is painfully obvious, we do not save…Africa, we need to do things differently. We need to do the things that will allow us to take advantage of the opportunities that the current world situation presents. Why do you think we have so many folks ‘pushing into Africa’ these days? It is simply the recognition that there is money to be made in Africa. Let me say that again: there is money to be made in Africa.Surely, dear African, we the residents should be playing our part in making this money. Do I hear the skeptics saying “That will be the day when hell freezes over?”Well, welcome to a different world, a different Africa, a different continent and a different Botswana that has the opportunities, resources and most importantly the ability to create its own wealth.If hell freezes over, we’ll learn to ice skate. I hear it is pretty fun! Africa is ready to accommodate our own Warren Buffet’s.