• 25May

  A Final Note

  Category: Ben Thomas  Posted by: Ben Thomas at 2:29 pm   No Comments

   

  I am trying to write my final thoughts on our trip to South Africa.  Where do I begin?  We had so many experiences that it is hard to narrow them all down to one blog entry…

  I went into this trip expecting to see poverty, sorrow, and struggle.  We did see poverty, but in place of sorrow we saw joy, and in place of struggle we saw determination to overcome.  This trip has really changed my view on developing countries. 

  South Africa has beautiful landscapes and clean cities.  It has bustling down towns and rural farming villages.  It has people living in opulence and people living in tin shanties.  And, it has everything in between.  I will no longer make quick judgments about a country based on the title of “developing”.  I can now use my experiences to help create a new framework to objectively judge a country and its potential.

  I was amazed to see all that this country had to offer, from booming businesses to rich natural resources.  However, for this country to become a global economic power, there are obstacles the people will have to overcome. 

  No country can continue to grow and develop without giving its people the proper skills and education needed.  This education needs to go beyond just what is taught in school to teaching people about the severity and consequences of HIV/AIDS, teaching people about how to become self sufficient, and teaching people about the importance of embracing their past to help create a better future.  With this education, the country has great potential!

  These ideas have changed the way I think about my life back here in Atlanta.  I do not want to become like some of the people in South Africa who would rather not talk about their past and live in fear of their future.  Instead I want to learn from these experiences and remember to always serve the people around me.

  And so I raise a glass to toast our trip to South Africa…

   

  

  Ben and Shay toast to South Africa!

   

• 24May

  Finishing up in Jo’burg (5/22/09)

  Category: Ben Thomas  Posted by: Ben Thomas at 7:38 pm   No Comments

  Our last day in South Africa was filled with a full day of company visits.  We got to visit the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE),  Cocal Cola South Africa (CCSA), Global Access, and Routledge Modise.  A busy day! 

  Even though the day was jam packed, it really solidified some main themes I have seen throughout South Africa during this trip.

   For businesses in South Africa, there are 4 big issues that they must address:

  1. Health – HIV/AIDS is a huge issue, and with the life expectancy now around 45 companies must deal with a shrinking customer base and employee base.  If gone unchecked it could destroy this country.
  2. Education – Another big issue for South Africa.  Companies must participate in helping to educate the youth, because there are some big issues with the lack of skills in the working population.  The reason for these lack of skills can partly be traced back to the apartheid era, where the black population protested by not attending school.  The black population was also not required to learn math and science until only 2 years ago!  Without proper education, companies will not have the amount of skilled labor needed to succeed.
  3. Environment – Providing South Africans with the water and energy needed, has also become a big challenge.  Many places in South Africa are lacking the necessary water needed, and this is creating high prices.  Companies in South Africa must consider the costs of water and energy and do whatever they can to conserve.
  4. Entrepreneurs – Finally finding entrepreneurs and developing them, is another main theme in South Africa.  Companies need to have programs in place to help educate the potential business person and a support structure to help invest in these entrepreneurs.  Without the growth of start up companies in South Africa, the country could really suffer economically.

   These issues are not just a government problem; it is a problem that everyone must deal with.  Individuals and companies both must work at addressing these issues to help the country and unleash its potential to become a strong economic powerhouse. 

• 22May

  A day in the bush (5/21/09)

  Category: Ben Thomas  Posted by: Ben Thomas at 6:46 pm   1 Comment

  Our trip to Kruger Park was fantastic.  It was much more challenging to see wildlife than I imagined, but the challenge became a game to try and see what you could spot.

  We spent over 2 days “in the bush” taking tours through Kruger Park.  We spent a lot of the time in trucks scanning the land for wildlife.  The challenge came with actually spotting the wildlife.  Even though many of the animals roam the area around Kruger Park, the area is so large and the area we covered was very small in comparison.  Therefore, it became very important to scan the trees and the surrounding area for any game. 

  We were fortunate to see a lion, rhino, buffalo, and elephant, which are 4 of the big 5 in Kruger Park.  Some of our group members were lucky enough to see all 5 plus the few other very rare animals in the park.  However, like our guide said “it is all about being in the right place at the right time”.  Even though we did not see all we would have liked to, we got some great pictures!  Overall, I really enjoyed the experience and have now learned the patience that must go along with the experience.

   

   

• 22May

  A Capital Problem in South Africa (5/18/09)

  Category: Ben Thomas  Posted by: Ben Thomas at 5:44 pm   No Comments

  Today on our travel up to Kruger Park, we visited the University of Pretoria.  One of the speakers that stood out the most to me was the last speaker.  He was an entrepreneur trying to startup a new company.  He had started with a team working to start a company, and now it was just down to him.  The struggles he has faced really brought out the issues of developing a business in South Africa.  The country needs to develop entrepreneurs to help grow and develop the economy, but it is very difficult.

  The speaker shared how if we could just get 300 Rand to get to Cape Town and back, he could set up a very promising business venture.  300 Rand is the equivalent to about $30 U.S. dollars, but he could not get that much money to help with his business venture.

  Raising capital is not like the U.S., where you find venture capitalists that have a high enough appetite for risk to look into your business proposal.  These issues are complicated, but I have seen two main themes:

  1.   South Africa does not have the support for startups or entrepreneurs.  Even though the government has programs to help developing business, the programs are typically set up for an already established company, making it very difficult for a new startup company.  

  2.  Education for entrepreneurs is lacking.  Most entrepreneurs here in South Africa do not have the skills or training to “sell” their ideas to banks or venture capitalists.  Without the proper training, new startup businesses in South Africa will ultimately fail.
• 17May

  A Day In Soweto (5/17/09)

  Category: Ben Thomas  Posted by: Ben Thomas at 6:22 pm   No Comments

  Today was a very eye opening day.  We traveled to Sowetto and visited the city and the Apartheid Museum.  An experience we will never forget.

  The Apartheid Museum was full of information chronicling the apartheid era and Nelson Mandela’s life.  There was so much information we could barely take it all in during the hour we were there.  Most touching was the pictures of the families that were separated during apartheid because they were classified in different races, being slightly lighter or darker.  It is really amazing to see how far this country has come in just 15 years.  

   

  

  Group at Apartheid Musuem

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

   

  After the Apartheid Museum we had a tour of Sowetto, stopping for an excellent “southern” meal at Wandies Pace!  Then we were off for a first hand tour of one of the “shanty” eras where the houses were built out of card board and tin.  It was so hard not to take the little kids home with you, when you see the looks on their faces.  They all knew exactly what to say telling me that they were very hungry and wanted just a little bit of money for food.  We didn’t give them any money, but I spent most of my time throwing them up in the air and spinning them around.  They loved it! 

   

  Experiences like this always stick with me, and remind me just how fortunate we are in the U.S.  Even though these kids have nothing, they still have smiles on their faces and are happy.  A lesson for us all!

   

« Previous Entries