Economist Writes Open Letter To South Africa After Armed Robbery

South African economist Dawie Roodt. Image source: Facebook.

A South African man, the Chief economist at Efficient Group, Dawie Roodt, says he is doing absolutely amazing after he was stabbed during an armed robbery at his home. Roodt spoke to the Money Show about his recovery and his outlook on the country after the robbery. The economist wrote an open letter on Facebook “to all South Africans” outlining a three-point plan on how things could be improved in South Africa. 

The economist, who was left seriously hurt in the armed robbery at his home, says he has no intentions to emigrate.

Eye Witness News report continues:

“Last night was the first time I slept like a baby. It takes some time to get over everything but I feel amazing, the family is all happy and it is life as usual.”

Roodt, his wife, their twin toddlers and his grown-up daughter were tied up in the study and held at gunpoint while the other criminals ransacked the house for valuables.
There was a power failure in the area during the robbery and he used this opportunity to free himself.

One of the assailants noticed this, at which point Roodt convinced him that he had money in his vehicle in the garage.

While in the garage Roodt attacked the assailant, who then stabbed and cut him multiple times.
EXTRACTS OF THE LETTER

“Start a process where all civil servants (SOEs included) are required to reapply for their jobs. And henceforth only employ on merit, not by virtue of contacts, favours, social requirements or nepotism.

“Fix the state so they can do their job properly. Establish a world-class skills development system (education) immediately to support a growing and thriving economy. Remove all obstacles to employment. Do not ‘create jobs’ but stop preventing willing people from creating their own jobs. We need proper political leadership because we have weak political leadership, we have a government that is ideologically confused and undermine or constitution and economy.”

Roodt says when he saw his daughter standing in the doorway with the robbers he saw South Africa in 10 years’ time.

“It was not a pretty picture. I saw young unemployable people, I saw people with weak and bad education and I saw violent people. I saw the South African economy in a way and that is why I wrote this letter. We have to say we don’t accept that South Africa is robbed and kicked around like that by the way it’s being treated by our political leaders.”

And did he want to leave South Africa after the experience?

“I thought about packing my bags and leaving my country, but you can’t change your country. I saw evil that night, but I also saw the way people worked together and the amazing support from South Africans. So how can I leave this country?”

To read the full open letter click here.