Dominic Collett, the Chairman of the  KwaZulu-Natal Business Chambers Council To follow in Akash Singh, outgoing Chairman of KBCC's footsteps, is no easy task so I have borrowed from his article in the recent KZN Business Sense publication entitled, "It is time to lead from the bottom". In September we remembered the death of Steve Biko and reflected on the principles he stood for and the vision he had for an inclusive society. This occasion gave South Africans an opportunity to re-visit our commitment to the ideals of equality and freedom.
In 1994 legislation was created and a constitution born that put the wellbeing of each individual living in South Africa first. Unfortunately the economic plight for most South Africans has not changed. Our current gap between rich and poor is a ticking time bomb and a sad reflection of the lack of commitment we have made as South Africans towards a better nation. Where did we go wrong? Or should we rather ask what must we do going forward?

It is time to lead from the top. The bottom, unemployed disenfranchised do not have the resources to steer decision makers in changing their circumstances so it is business and society's responsibility to care for and support the poverty stricken. Leading from the top is not limited to CEOs and Presidents, although it goes without saying they have the same responsibility, but it is the duty of all who have a living wage.

Going forward we need to be motivated and concerned to deal with the level of poverty and the living conditions of a huge percentage of our population. We need to put as much energy as we can to work together as labour, business, government and civil society to implement programmes, amend legislation, listen to communities and inject capital where required. Our aim must be to reduce the unemployment numbers and grow South Africa to reach the dream envisaged by the authors of the Constitution of South Africa.