The last 20 years have been a roller coaster of change, development, challenges and opportunities in the electrical industry.

Twenty years ago, large parts of the population had no access to electricity, the connections to houses, suburbs and communities, just did not exist. In addition, generation capacity way exceeded demand as a consequence of excessive infrastructure spending during the eighties combined with shrinking economic growth, as apartheid entered its death throes and uncertainty prevailed as to the economic future of the country under an African National Congress- (ANC-) led government.

Ironically business was extremely suspicious of the ANC and was slow to adapt to the imperative process of economic transformation which effectively haunts the country today, where parts of the population contend that political transformation has not translated into a better standard of living.

The initial ten years of democracy was characterised by renewed economic growth, as the ANC adopted policies that were globally economically friendly and the political transition was considered a resounding success.

Growth in the electrical industry developed strongly from 2002 until 2008, as electrification programmes were implemented countrywide and the economy grew strongly on the back of the global resource cycle, combined with strong local economic growth. This saw high levels of capital expansion, job creation, skills development and optimism in the local electrical industry. Cooperation grew between parastatals and business in terms of localisation and training.

Black economic empowerment evolved from the trading of listed shares funded by banks, to a broader view, developed by parastatals like Eskom, which included management, procurement, training and shareholding, the principals that formed the basis of the current Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment Act.

The global economic meltdown, which began in late 2008, lead to a slowdown in economic activity and increased foreign competition as international companies found their home markets shrinking, and Africa became a key focus area.

Government has reacted to the economic slowdown by increasing infrastructure spend in the power and rail sectors of the economy, with a strong emphasis on local content. Projects with high local content are more complex, but welcomed by local business as the support gives on-going momentum to capital programmes, skills development and training.

In conclusion, the country still has a significant opportunity to grow and develop, particularly in infrastructure locally and on the continent. It is, however, necessary that all parties show strong leadership, over the next few years, to compromise, find solutions, and common ground in order for these opportunities to be fully explored, developed and not lost to local business and the country.