Gordhan can afford to be upbeat at Davos summit

Top government and business leaders have been hard at work this week at the World Economic Forum, in Davos, Switzerland, debating myriad economic policy and business issues - and arguing the case for investing in this country and in Africa generally.

Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan, who is leading the South African delegation, is keenly aware that he needs to convince investors that they should keep faith in our country despite a storm of negative news headlines.

The forum is being held at an awkward time for the government - the economy is still reeling from the effects of the Marikana massacre in August 2012 and from a series of damaging strikes last year that further retarded our already slow economic growth.

In addition, the rand has been coming under increasing pressure because of our yawning current account deficit and fears that the US will ease its huge bond-buying programme, which has benefited emerging economies.

But Gordhan and our other delegates also have a lot to boast about. Our macroeconomic policy is sound, and the National Development Plan, which has been adopted by the ANC despite the reservations of its alliance partners, is widely regarded as the best shot South Africa has at growing the economy while achieving its development objectives.

Our attractiveness as an investment destination is enhanced by our world-class banking and financial services systems.

Gordhan also recently announced austerity measures that will reduce wasteful government expenditure.

By choosing to implement a youth wage incentive scheme - in the face of vehement opposition by the unions - the government is demonstrating its commitment to addressing arguably our biggest problem: massive unemployment among young people.

Even the strike on the platinum belt might not have as adverse an effect as feared - provided that it is peaceful.

If we can just get the police to stop killing protesters, South Africa Inc won't be doing too badly.