The opportunity for SA to become globally competitive through adopting policies and strategies for innovation is debated.

2. What will create a unique economic position for South Africa? It does not seem to be mining anymore, so what is it? Surely, dominance of African business can go a long way – but is that enough?

3. What will prevent South Africa from becoming just another emerging market? We see our global competitiveness slipping, this year down to number 54 out of 59 countries. There are more signs of that happening, than of us becoming unique. For how long will we have a window of opportunity? Or has that window already closed?

4. What is inherently part of the South African DNA that can be exported successfully? Is there such a unique DNA? If so – what is it?

6. In the World Economic Forum competitiveness report of Africa in June 2009, South Africa only lags Tunisia in innovation;

7. Our successful companies are prepared to risk (SABMiller; MTN; Standard Bank);

8. Our country is diverse in terms of peoples and cultures;

9. We are used to dealing with uncertainty, a large number of “uncertainties” to be dealt with;

10. Humanity underlies our being (i.e. compromise, ubuntu, consultation, keeping community interests central);

11. Our country does well creatively (just in literature and advertising alone, South Africa has a significant global reputation);

12. An ability to attract “interpreters” from other countries in Africa – we often attract the best, like actuaries and other specialists from Zimbabwe.We already have some of the foundation elements in place to become a highly innovative nation of entrepreneurs, albeit in government, parastatals, academia, research or business. <br />To conclude<br />In my view, we have the opportunity – and residual set of capabilities, to become a generator for innovation, if not in a global context, at least within the emerging markets sphere – and specifically, within the BRIC(S) space. By leveraging these, we can become a highly successful nation that can offer the world something beyond natural resources. <br />To do this, will mean that we think this way – and align our government and business strategies and objectives, to take advantage of this. It will start with a clear dissection of what we are good at, within specific areas, and putting the policies and programs in place to do that. <br />Whilst there are many approaches to innovate, it seems as though an aptitude for it is the most significant driver of it. It also impacts company culture and a general receptivity for change, ideas and open-communication. Within such a context, it makes a company become collaborative, rather than hierarchical. <br /> <br />