CAIPHUS KGOSANA | We’re punch-drunk palookas compared with the Southeast Asians

I’ve just returned from a Sho’t Left to Southeast Asia.

My final destination was Indonesia, but due to a long layover in Malaysia we decided to explore the capital, Kuala Lumpur. Having arrived on a night they were celebrating the end of Ramadan, it was a surreal experience. At 2am, the city was alive with crowds converging near its famous landmarks, including the spectacular Petronas Towers. We took a 15-minute walk from our hotel to the famous twin towers which until 2003 were the tallest buildings in the world.

The towers are a sparkling symbol of Malaysia’s economic success story. Yes, it’s not a perfect story. The Chinese minority controls as much as 70% of the economy, but an impressive empowerment model is bringing more indigenous Malaysians into the mainstream.  

Taking in Kuala Lumpur at that time of the morning — the architecture, safety, vibe — was breathtaking. Oh, and their curry! Way better than what the Guptas used to feed captured comrades.

As we made our way on foot inside the vast network of glassy skyscrapers of this sleepless capital, I couldn’t help but make a comparison with the country I had left behind. SA is an amateur compared with middle-income peers. In fact, given our largely self-inflicted economic pain, it’s debatable whether we should still be considered a middle-income country.

Our continued membership of Brics is questioned daily. But forget that club of bloodthirsty dictators and ethnic rabble rousers; let’s talk about what matters — economic growth and investment.

Malaysia’s GDP might be slightly lower than SA’s, but according to S&P Global its economy showed rapid annual growth in 2022 at a pace of 8.7% year-on-year. This was the fastest since 2000.

Here’s another one: they can keep the lights on.

It’s downhill for us from here onwards. We come last on safety, education, skills, state competence and other key indices. Our geographic position demands a flawless logistical supply chain and infrastructure, but Transnet can’t get enough freight trains to the ports on time, so there goes nothing. Malaysia is a stone’s throw from the biggest market in the world — China.

And their road network is absolutely superb, another major trade advantage. 

Smart money is going there.

My next stop was Bali, Indonesia. Though not as well developed as its neighbour, Indonesia has capitalised on three strengths to keep unemployment at under 6% — agriculture, tourism and small business — and that’s no mean feat for a nation of 270-million people.

These sectors combined account for about 54% of all employment.

We still get our visitors down here, thanks largely to the Western Cape and Kruger National Park, but we would quadruple arrivals if we got our house in order.

Bali is a popular tourist resort overrun by Australians, Europeans, Americans and Asians seeking its black beaches, fantastic accommodation, famous landmarks and a rocking nightlife at affordable prices. Young Indonesians from all corners of the island nation have found work in its brilliant tourism economy. One thing about Southeast Asians is their work ethic. Indonesians are no exception, and they give you the best service with utmost humility and the sincerest of smiles.

Before Covid-19 shut the world down, Indonesia welcomed up to 16-million tourists annually.

They are not doing anything spectacular, just getting the basics right. There’s uninterrupted electricity 24/7. Tourists are made to feel welcome and safe. They might not have a sophisticated public transport system, but the scooters, taxi cabs and e-hailing services get you where you want to be at any time of day or night.

We live in one of the most beautiful countries on earth. We have it all; the seas, the mountains, the best wildlife parks, the urban trappings ... everything. We are held back by a government that is devoid of ideas and is frankly incapable of unlocking the true potential of this nation and its people. Each day it remains in power we take a backward step developmentally. The world is not going to wait for SA to fix its myriad problems. It is simply taking its money to success stories such as Malaysia. International tourists are choosing Indonesia, Thailand and the like for better experiences.

We still get our visitors down here, thanks largely to the Western Cape and Kruger National Park, but we would quadruple arrivals if we got our house in order.

But a German tourist was murdered outside the gates of the Kruger not so long ago, and another is still missing in the Western Cape.

If this were a boxing match we’d be knocked out in the first round by fitter and better-trained opponents.