CITIZENS Movement for Social Change founder Mamphela Ramphele says African governments are missing an opportunity by failing to utilise and invest in its people.
She was speaking during a debate at the University of the Western Cape on Monday night.
The event, hosted by the Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars, was attended by about 100 people, including academics and students.
The Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars, which was founded in 2007, is a network of young African leaders from across the continent.
It is aimed at promoting the principles of reconciliation, education, leadership and social entrepreneurship across the public, private and civil sectors.
The debate was about the role of education and entrepreneurship in advancing social transformation.
The panel discussion comprised of Ramphele, pictured, Impumelelo Social Innovation Centre's Rhoda Kadalie and National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel.
Ramphele, who is former vice-chancellor of University of Cape Town, said the problem was that Africa was not advancing and had put the blame on its leaders.
"Our African governments, including that of South Africa, are missing an opportunity by failing to utilise and invest in its people," she said.
Ramphele said South Africa was also missing an opportunity to promote entrepreneurship, trade and investment.
It was important that the country dealt with other challenges such as inequalities and unemployment for the benefit of many people.
She also made a call for the participation of parents and other residents in school governance in their various communities.
Manuel said few South Africans were employed.
He said it was unfair that five companies were controlling the country's wealth while many small businesses were battling to get funding.
Asked how the government would respond to the deployment policy in future, Manuel said: "Many governments use or deploy people coming from the same culture or tradition. It does not mean that they should be incompetent."
Kadalie said in 2007 there had been 2000 incidents of teenage pregnancies in the country.
She also said many people were very concerned about President Jacob Zuma's sex life and artist Brett Murray's painting, while neglecting the pressing issues.
"The country is failing with regard to entrepreneurship. The level of entrepreneurship is low."
Kadalie said many people, including women, were improving people's lives by running successful projects in both city and rural areas.
In a question-and-answer session, a student said: "Instances such as the US government are encouraging entrepreneurship in their countries. If an entrepreneur in South Africa fails, he or she will be blacklisted.
"What steps are being taken by the government to encourage entrepreneurship?" he asked.
Africa 'not advancing'
CITIZENS Movement for Social Change founder Mamphela Ramphele says African governments are missing an opportunity by failing to utilise and invest in its people.
She was speaking during a debate at the University of the Western Cape on Monday night.
The event, hosted by the Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars, was attended by about 100 people, including academics and students.
The Community of Mandela Rhodes Scholars, which was founded in 2007, is a network of young African leaders from across the continent.
It is aimed at promoting the principles of reconciliation, education, leadership and social entrepreneurship across the public, private and civil sectors.
The debate was about the role of education and entrepreneurship in advancing social transformation.
The panel discussion comprised of Ramphele, pictured, Impumelelo Social Innovation Centre's Rhoda Kadalie and National Planning Minister Trevor Manuel.
Ramphele, who is former vice-chancellor of University of Cape Town, said the problem was that Africa was not advancing and had put the blame on its leaders.
"Our African governments, including that of South Africa, are missing an opportunity by failing to utilise and invest in its people," she said.
Ramphele said South Africa was also missing an opportunity to promote entrepreneurship, trade and investment.
It was important that the country dealt with other challenges such as inequalities and unemployment for the benefit of many people.
She also made a call for the participation of parents and other residents in school governance in their various communities.
Manuel said few South Africans were employed.
He said it was unfair that five companies were controlling the country's wealth while many small businesses were battling to get funding.
Asked how the government would respond to the deployment policy in future, Manuel said: "Many governments use or deploy people coming from the same culture or tradition. It does not mean that they should be incompetent."
Kadalie said in 2007 there had been 2000 incidents of teenage pregnancies in the country.
She also said many people were very concerned about President Jacob Zuma's sex life and artist Brett Murray's painting, while neglecting the pressing issues.
"The country is failing with regard to entrepreneurship. The level of entrepreneurship is low."
Kadalie said many people, including women, were improving people's lives by running successful projects in both city and rural areas.
In a question-and-answer session, a student said: "Instances such as the US government are encouraging entrepreneurship in their countries. If an entrepreneur in South Africa fails, he or she will be blacklisted.
"What steps are being taken by the government to encourage entrepreneurship?" he asked.
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