The South African wave : a leap of faith

M.Comm.The normal pattern of life is birth, childhood, adulthood, old age and death. South Africa can still be seen in its childhood shoes in relation to countries like the USA, Japan and others. However, the playing field in the international arena that South Africa has to operate in when it comes to survival, is not divided between children and adults but instead, we are all competing on equal terms, and South African companies will have to realise that only the strong will survive. It is with this view in mind that this study has been undertaken in the hope that at completion South Africa will have its own management wave. South Africa is a country on its own with a history like no other country and a diversity like no other country. Therefore South Africa needs her own management wave, a wave out of South Africa for South Africa. The international competitive playing field is something new to South Africa and companies will have to adapt, or in years to come only a few of the current companies will have survived. To enable South African management to determine their own management a comparison of South Africa with her main competitors will be done, This will help to determine what is still needed in South Africa on the economical, political and educational fields and to help determine what South Africa need to survive for now and for the future. With this in mind it will be possible to start creating South Africa's own management wave which will enable companies, big and small, to still be part of South Africa in time to come, and to withstand the onslaught of overseas companies . South Africa is young, and has a very turbulent history, but with past happenings like: The Big Trek; The Boer Wars; The years of apartheid; The coming of democracy; it is clear that the South African people has got the will, stamina and strength to survive. South Africans now need to realise "EX UNITATE VIRES". It is with this in mind that the conclusion of this study will show South African companies, big and small, a new and unique management wave to follow. This new management wave will lead South Africa to a brighter future and a better tomorrow