Finding Value in South Africa

C

Cage Rattler

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John Maudlin reports on his trip to South Africa.

I start this week's letter somewhere over the Atlantic, halfway through an 11-hour flight from Frankfurt to Dallas. It has been an altogether marvelous 11 days in South Africa, speaking to over 1,000 people at 12 venues, giving a half dozen media interviews, and meeting with many individuals.

It had been 12 or more years since I was last in South Africa. The difference cannot be more palpable. The last time I was there, talking with friends and acquaintances about the future of South Africa, the mood was so pessimistic that you had to remove sharp objects from the vicinity before you started the conversation. This week, I want to give you some impressions of not only South Africa, but talk a little about emerging markets in general.
 
Thx Cage Rattler

A good read indeed. It is often easy too forget how far we have come as a nation, even with all the challenges we face, and this type of reminder is certainly refreshing and good 'muti' for the soul.

Interesting take on the agricultural subsidies / pensions overseas.
Africa has been fighting long and hard for a level playing field when it comes to exporting our produce and competing fairly on the open market.
The wheel turns and just maybe it's our turn next.
 
That was a good piece which highlighted all issues (positive and negative).

In forums like these, we sometimes get so much negativity that we forget that the economy is actually doing quite well.
 
Ag please. Who do you think is paying for this nirvana?!

There is a large "informal" economy in South Africa. While much of the income may not be reported, when something is bought and sold in the retail sectors, taxes are collected.

(now if we could just get rid of incompetent, corrupt governments maybe we would have a chance.)
 
Sneeky said:
I know I am , and its money well spent, whats your beef?
Click to expand...
My beef is that we could be so much further. This dweeb obviously didn't spend any time in the townships. Or under trees. Or in an aids hospital. Or in a million other areas where this incompetent government (and corrupt local administrations) reign supreme.

Gee, I wonder if he made any phone calls?!
 
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We could've done a lot worse as well Kilo39. A heck of a lot worse.

He was comparing a visit (and his experiences) in the 90's to now. A fair comparison one would think.
Even our government admits we can do a lot better and they deserve both credit and criticism , but lets also not ignore the progress that has been made.

Half empty or half full, it's a choice.
 
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