FOR those who really care to listen, to really see, to feel the pulse of our nation, there is every reason to smile and not be despondent.
Our detractors want to paint a picture; tell the story of a nation failing to turn around its economy; a nation in a crisis.
But this is far from the truth.
We have often said that we will let others sing our ‘failures’ and ‘weaknesses’, but we will relentlessly focus on our strengths and celebrate our achievements as a nation and as a unified people.
We will not tire of shaping our national agenda and telling the rest of the world our own story rather than wait for others to shape our narrative.
Our natural and human resources have a vast potential.
Information from the Minister of SMEs and Co-operative Development, Cde Sithembiso Nyoni, that the formalisation of small-to-medium enterprises (SMEs) is gaining momentum, with nearly 14 000 registered between January and June 2017, is heart-warming.
This is a piece of information that some may choose to disregard.
But it is a fact that our SMEs have kept the economy running.
And that many are formalising their operations is evidence that our people have every intention to grow in business and to, one day, become major players competing on the global platform.
SMEs are coming together, creating important linkages in a bid to ensure sustainable development.
The upcoming 7th edition of the SMEs International Expo will run under the theme: ‘Adhering to Good Corporate Governance and Standards for Global Competition’. This is a very clear message.
India has become a global economic powerhouse through SMEs.
Our sons and daughters of the soil engaged in business know exactly what they want and where they are headed.
As reported elsewhere in this paper, Rome was not built in a day and neither was the city of Yiwu in Zhejiang Province, China.
The city is now recognised as the largest small-commodities market in the world, indeed it is an example of how hard work, determination and willpower can transform a community, a nation.
It is us, not outsiders, who will grow our economy.
Outsiders can only come to partner what we have started, what we have developed.
Another piece of exciting news is coming from the Ministry of Lands and Rural Resettlement.
The ministry has indicated that it is overwhelmed by the number of youths applying for land to venture into farming projects.
What did our detractors say about our Land Reform and Resettlement Programme?
The moment you have a country’s youth interested in major projects of the nation, then you are on the right path.
Our youths are seeking farming land and that is encouraging.
It has been our fervent prayer that we have youths who will protect and value this all-important heritage.
Let us parcel out pieces of land to our young; they are not asking for much. Our education system has taught them skills to maximise production, even on small plots.
Naysayers may scream all they want, but we are on the right path.
We will not deviate until our aspirations and dreams come to fruition.