Public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan says black businesses must think about how they can use the fourth industrial revolution (4IR) to grow the economy in an inclusive manner.
Gordhan was speaking at the Black Business Summit organised by the Black Business Council. The two-day summit brings together business and government leaders and experts on law and land reform to discuss ideas to prepare black companies for 4IR.
His statement comes at a time when government officials, including president Cyril Ramaphosa, have stressed the importance of combining resources and expertise to seize the opportunities brought on by Industry 4.0.
Gordhan told delegates that while 4IR presents seemingly limitless opportunities, SA must position itself to be at the cusp of these opportunities in order to benefit from them.
"We need to respond to, on the one hand, the possibilities that the fourth industrial revolution offers, but also respond to the challenge of removing unemployment, poverty and inequality in our society.
"It is important that we become important players in not just responding to what is happening in the world but so that we can become important players in the world."
The minister also urged delegates to delve into discussion about some of the challenges the revolution will pose for job security as well as its impact on personal security.
"We need to ask ourselves: what is the relationship between 4IR, inclusivity and social justice, where all human beings have a sense of well-being," he pointed out.
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