Date: 10/03/2009

Source: Tomorrow's Leaders

Title: ANC: Phosa: Speech by ANC treasurer -general Matthews Phosa at the Tomorrow's Leaders Convention

1. Before one looks at what it takes to be a leader today, it might be prudent to look at the prevailing circumstances within which we find ourselves.

2. We have a world economy in a dramatic downturn. This fact has prompted the governments of the United States and Britain to intervene in the private sector, and, amongst others, throw a lifeline to some of its` biggest financial institutions.

3. Other major financial institutions in the world have filed for bankruptcy.

4. The global economy has become so interdependent and interwoven that countries worldwide almost immediately feel the effect when the major players experience trauma.

5. South Africa, therefore, has also suffered from the global economic downturn and the negative sentiment around sectors such as financial services and commodities.

6. This prevalent global and local scenario places substantial pressure on our government, as one of the first casualties in such a dramatic downturn will be jobs.

7. If you read the fact into the economic policies of the ANC as well as in the context of our election manifesto, it presents a major challenge to the government that will be in place after the inauguration of the President on 27 April this year.

8. We have, amongst others, indicated that one of our primary goals is to alleviate poverty through the creation of new job opportunities.

9. We have also indicated that we want to focus on creating jobs through the multiplier effect, and with our investment in schools, houses and health care facilities, to ensure that local communities benefit from the efforts of the ANC government.

10. In these trying circumstances, one could venture that the following could be guidelines for present as well as future leaders:

• Always look for partnerships where the principle of reciprocity is embedded.
• Always look fro the niche in the services and outsourcing market that no one else has covered.
• Always learn as much as you can from your competitors. It has never been a shame to copy a good idea. Remember: Imitation is the highest for of flattery.
• Always place the emphasis on simple honesty and good corporate governance, whatever the size of your company.
• Be in the market place. Find out which business organizations have the respect of their sector and government and join them. And market, market, market your product.
• Understand that, in the face of adversity, companies often shy away from creativity and find safety in conservatism. This is the time for new and smaller entrants into the market to be bold and seize the opportunity.
• Look for the new opportunities, niches and partnerships in those sectors where government will spend considerable amounts of money. We have indicated that such opportunities will be created in health, housing, infrastructure and education.
• See and seize the opportunity that a change in leadership in government brings. New leaders bring new ideas and look for better and brighter service providers. Present yourself and your products in that space.
• Do not be discouraged when you fail. Richard Nixon once said that you have only failed when you give up, not when you have been temporarily defeated.
• Be proud of being a South African in the midst of a young and transitional democracy. Protect and defend our country, and bring your talents to the discussion forums where we discuss the security situation, regional conflicts, poverty and job creation.

11. The truth is that we have faced poverty before. We have also faced adversity before. We have faced oppression, condemnation, brutalization, prison and the denial of our most basic human rights.

12. We come from a space where we had to understand that our efforts might not be rewarded in our own lifetime, but in that of our children.

13. It took us more than eighty years as the ANC to move from party formation to winning a democratic election. One of these days it will be a hundred years since the formation of the ANC.

14. During that period many have suffered, and died, but that glorifies our victory rather than detracting from it.

15. What then are the characteristics of the leaders that saw us through a traumatic eighty years and will stand us in very good stead in the current trying circumstances?:

• Victory does not mean destroying your opponent. It means making your former opponent a co-owner of the solution that you have created.
• Victory never means winner takes al. Unless there is something for everyone in victory it does not present a solution.
• Always look for partnerships, whatever your circumstances or history.
• Always, in our circumstances, look for partnerships that illustrate our diversity, rather than our differences.
• Be prepared to lose a battle or two, but keep your eye on the ball and the bigger picture.
• Create support for your ideas through knocking on doors, knocking on doors, and knocking on doors.
• Always make sure that you are taking those who work for you (or support you) with you when you change course.
• Be subtle and willing to change your ideas - do not be afraid to be challenged and criticized.
• Make sure that you understand that when the time for change has arrived, old solutions often f onto fit new challenges.

We live in a time when we need leaders who are honest, inclusive, courageous and willing to work extremely hard to achieve their goals.

We also live in a time when we need to understand that government, labour, the private sector and community organization need to work together to find creative solutions for the obvious and substantial challenges facing us.

We also need to understand that the period leading up to 22 April will accentuate our political and other differences. In the ANC our view is that the day after the elections is the day that we forget the negative campaigning, look for the best in each other, and move forward in partnership.

We have a duty towards future generations to reconcile and build our nation. Let us differ from each other in a way that illustrates that principle.

I thank you.