CapeTalk Highlights

Scenario planner Clem Sunter says South Africa must put an end to the separation of the so-called mainstream economy and the township economy.

We've got to have a serious conversation about how we stop the silos in our economy.

— Clem Sunter, Scenario planner

Sunter has called for a special Convention for a Democratic SA (Codesa) that will tackle the economic inequality still facing the country.

He says economic exclusion and other challenges have not been adequately addressed since the dawn of democracy.

Sunter maintains that the state must play a substantial role in making the economy more inclusive.

The state has to play a substantial role in changing this economy from a very exclusive economy into a much more participative economy.

— Clem Sunter, Scenario planner

The renowned futurologist made suggestions on how government and labour can work to cultivate entrepreneurship and build a spirit of wealth creation.

Sunter proposes the following initiatives:

• a joint bank for entrepreneurs and a pro-poor banking policy at an existing institution
• a local, crowd-funded and online stock exchange in each city for small businesses
• business policies that compel big companies to delicate 20% of their supply chain to entrepreneurs

Each city in South Africa should have its own e-stock exhange type of site.

— Clem Sunter, Scenario planner

We have the JSE, which is very good for big businesses. We have the banks, which lend money to medium size and big business because the risks aren't too high, but we have nothing for the entrepreneur.

— Clem Sunter, Scenario planner

We simply haven't used the power of the internet... getting people interested in buying shares will change the game.

— Clem Sunter, Scenario planner

Take a listen to his intriguing insights: