Since the last publication, post the cabinet re-shuffle, South Africa has seen more financial downgradings and the release of results indicating  two successive quarters of falls in gross domestic product (GDP) (the polite way of saying a 'technical recession').

South Africa has faced these economic positions in our recent history and the economy has turned due to true South African guts. If there is one trait that South Africans have, it is one of resilience and working hard to make things work in difficult times.

So it is with this knowledge that there is hope that we can pull together and bounce back like before. I am always inspired by stories of businesses re-inventing themselves to take advantage of a changing business environment or market.

The arrival of e-commerce has opened a market for small businesses to thrive outside their local geographic position and expand their market base well beyond what was previously available. The opening of markets allows for business risk to be spread outside traditional boundaries to take advantage of foreign and local markets. The re-invention of market access is an opportunity that South African businesses will grab in this critical time.

The call from organised business is for government to work closely together on economic direction and interventions in stimulating the economy. The recent reports on state capture taints business and government alike. Both, should however, distinguish ethical relationships and build on these occurrences which are not publicised as much as the bad news.

There are municipalities across KZN creating terms of reference for the direct interaction between business chambers and government. These formalised interactions allow on-going identification and progress in identifying critical economic growth opportunities and development of the region. Trust is built through respectful open discussion with a common goal of inclusive economic growth and job creation.

A lot has been and is still to be written on state capture so I will rather end with a story, keeping with the theme of horse racing with the Durban July around the corner.

In Sienna we are all mad Palio is a horse race held twice each year on the 2 July and 16 August, in Sienna, Italy. Ten horses and 10 bareback riders, who are dressed in colours representing the city wards.

The race itself, in which the jockeys ride bareback, circles the Piazza del Campo. The race is run for three laps of the Piazza and lasts not more than 90 seconds. It is common for a few jockeys to be thrown off their horses while making the treacherous turns in the Piazza, and indeed, it is not unusual to see un-mounted horses finishing the race without their jockeys.

The race consists of 10 horses, all with similar ability, chosen from local stables. A lottery, four days before the race determines which horse will run for which city ward.

Corruption is commonplace, prompting the residents of each city ward, to keep a close watch on their stable and their rider.  Jockeys are bought by city wards to ride their horses. Favours are bought to conquer other city wards - the enemy.

The jockeys ride the horses bareback from the starting line, an area between two ropes. Nine horses enter the space, lined up in an order only decided by lot immediately before the race starts.  The tenth horse waits outside. The race immediately starts when the tenth horse decides to enter the two ropes. This process can take a very long time, as deals have usually been made between various city wards and jockeys that affect when the tenth moves - he may be waiting for a particular horse to be well or badly placed.

The winner is the first horse to cross the finish line - a horse can win without its rider. The loser in the race is considered to be the city ward horse that came second, not last.

The enthusiasm of victory is extreme and on occasion violence breaks out between partisans of rival city wards.

The Palio di Sienna, is not a normal horse race.

Enjoy the Durban July - choose the right horse.