Written by: Errol Naidoo
Article Source: Family Policy Institute
President Cyril Ramaphosa told world leaders at the United Nations General Assembly, “South Africa is in a new era, an era of great promise.” He said, “The GNU was making headway in resolving some of SA’s most pressing challenges. Our economy has started to improve and investor confidence is on the rise. Our country’s prospects look bright.”
Ramaphosa is correct. But if he acted decisively to tackle the most pressing challenges the country faces, he could accelerate the economic turnaround. As Wayne Duvenage of “Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse” writes, “SA must substantially intensify its fight against corruption” which he says, “has evolved into a full scale national crisis” under ANC misrule.
The Government of National Unity (GNU) consisting of ten political parties is approaching its 100 days landmark on 11 October 2024. To the surprise of many, the GNU is holding together despite policy differences and challenges presented by the NHI and BELA Bill.
South Africa’s economy is showing signs of recovery. The country went without load-shedding for a full quarter, first interest rate cut in four years, decreasing fuel prices and a strengthening rand. But corruption remains the greatest hinderance to growth & prosperity.
President Ramaphosa possesses the constitutional powers to tackle corruption head-on. The Zondo Commission report is gathering dust while senior ANC members implicated in theft, tender-fraud, money-laundering and racketeering remain in high-paying public posts.
For example, the ANC cadre Ramaphosa deployed to the post of Minister of Justice is under scrutiny for a dodgy “loan” from the looted VBS Bank – just three months after being appointed. Justice Minister Thembi Simelane, who oversees the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) is embroiled in a corruption scandal the NPA is currently investigating.
In addition, the Department of Justice (DoJ) that Simelane heads is involved in a dispute with the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) regarding access to the Zondo Commissions vast trove of corruption data. This data is critical for successful prosecutions.
Ramaphosa lacks the courage and principled leadership to act decisively and in the best interest of the nation to immediately suspend ANC officials implicated in serious fraud and corruption. SA’s economic recovery will accelerate significantly if Ramaphosa gets a spine.
There are some silver linings to the GNU. Despite Health Minister, Aaron Motsoaledi’s bluster on the National Health Insurance Act (NHI), Ramaphosa and Motsoaledi met with Business Unity SA (BUSA) to find a way forward -without wrecking the entire health sector.
The ANC can no longer impose its will on the country, having lost its Parliamentary majority in the 2024 Elections. It is forced to negotiate the implementation of critical social policies with other political parties – including key civil-society groups like BUSA and others.
There is a noticeable improvement in the fight against organised crime in SA. Minister of Police, Senzo Mchunu appears to be a man of action and few words. He has taken on the so-called “construction mafia” with deadly results. Several gangs of extortioners have been confronted countrywide by SAPS special units and killed in dramatic police shootouts.
South Africa degenerated into a mafia state under ANC majority misgovernance. However, as a result of collaboration between business groups and the GNU, there are encouraging signs of progress in tackling extortioners – especially in the gang-ridden Western Cape.
The health and education sectors require major overhauls. The GNU’s willingness to discuss these challenges with business groups is a move in the right direction. Appointing honest, skilled and competent people in key public positions is a critical success factor.
The GNU may not be the best outcome we anticipated for the 2024 Elections. But it has delivered a degree of stability and progress compared to staggering ANC failures of the past. We must continue to pray for government and actively participate in SA’s recovery.
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Date published: 01/10/2024
Feature image: Image for illustrative purposes only.
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