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This time last year, the South African story was a bleak one.
The Guptas were firmly in charge and had just engineered a Cabinet reshuffle that resulted in then finance minister Pravin Gordhan and his deputy Mcebisi Jonas being axed.
Ratings agencies were hovering over us with red pens.
The currency was in the doldrums.
The investment community was viewing us with great suspicion and there was even talk that we were headed for failed-state status.
What a difference the outcome of the ANC’s December conference made.
The defeat of the populist, Gupta-friendly faction meant we could press the reset button and begin repairing the country.
Now the currency is trading stronger; reputable economists and international financial institutions have revised growth projections upwards; ratings agencies are speaking positively about the direction the country is taking; business confidence is strong; and investors are sitting up and listening to our story.
President Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement of a high-powered team of investment envoys will build on this positive trajectory.
The team, led by former finance minister Trevor Manuel and including corporate and political heavyweights, has been given the task of attracting R1.2 trillion worth of investment in the next five years.
This is an ambitious but achievable target.
Ramaphosa said the message the envoys will take to the world is that we have a thriving democracy, an independent judiciary, strong institutions, an advanced and diverse economy, a sophisticated and well-regulated financial sector and solid infrastructure.
As South Africans, we may pull apart on many issues, but this drive is one that needs a unified voice and practical support.
