FINANCE Minister Pravin Gordhan is taking on RW Johnson, the political scientist and historian, on Wednesday August 24 in the Cape Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s second Rumble in the Urban Jungle event this year.
The two-round debate will take place at the Westin Hotel in Cape Town just weeks after the local election results shockwave sent shudders through South Africa’s political landscape and the African National Congress in particular.
BDlive will live-stream this exciting event on the day from 7pm to 10pm.
The first Rumble in the Urban Jungle was a sold-out event where futurist Clem Sunter debated Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters.
Last year, Johnson predicted that South Africa would face an economic crisis in two years’ time. One of those years has already passed. On the other hand, Gordhan has fought off a ratings downgrade and the rand is strengthening.
The chamber says the debate will alert its members and business leaders to the realities of South Africa’s low-growth economy.
“We have an economy faltering on the brink of recession and the structural changes we need don’t seem to be happening,” said chamber president Janine Myburgh.
“We are convinced that at the end of the Rumble in the Urban Jungle the audience will be better informed about the choices that lie ahead and have a better understanding of the forces at work in our economy,” she added.
“We hope it will give business leaders the information and the courage to make some tough decisions. At the same time it will illuminate opportunities for business and live up to our mantra, ‘Where opportunity meets’.”
The debate will be followed by a question-and-answer session.
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