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In the State of the Nation Address President Zuma blamed the global downturn and the World Banks downward forecast of global growth on South Africa’s inability to reach its target. An incompetent government should not try to pull the wool over our eyes. Let’s consider our BRICS partners. In India the growth rate has been reforecast from 5.4% to 6.9% (despite what the World Bank has forecast globally). They even believe that it can reach 8%. How you may ask? The new government have cut down corruption and crony capitalism amounting to 0.5% of GDP. They have started privatising natural resources (coal, 3G etc). In order to drive investors’ confidence they have introduced the Land Acquisition Bill that would allow foreign owned companies to own land in India. We are going in reverse gear! They are doing this as they realise that they have a very aspirational youth and need to provide for the future. Mr Government is our youth not aspirational? They have reduced corporate taxes to 32%, as well as Individual Taxes by 1%, however increasing taxes on the Super Rich by 2%. Again Finance Minister Nene has done the reverse. They are looking for Foreign Direct Investment for Air India, whilst they would still own 51%, 49% is for sale. We refuse to even look at Eskom, SAA, Transnet etc.
During the opening of the Indian Parliament the Prime Minister Mr Modi compared his governments 9 month achievement to the previous government’s complete 5 year rule. In each respect, the previous regime was out done by more than 100% e.g. in infrastructure development, education, health etc (the previous regime achieved an average growth rate of 5%). Our President talks of the past and blames everything on Jan van Riebeck. If I recall he spent about 5 minutes explaining to the opposition why a person from 1652 was to blame for what is happening in 2015. The British (who ruled India for over 100 years), or as it is known in India, Raj Rule is hardly ever mentioned. How have they achieved this? Like President Zuma, PM Modi is from humble beginnings, his father being a tea seller at the railway station. PM Modi however has not forgotten hard work. All his cabinet Ministers start work at 07H00 with him and leave only after he leaves. It is reported that on a good day it is at 22H00. The culture of the red light (in South Africa the blue light convoy) has been done away with. Ministers have been asked to leave home early. President Zuma failed to convey to South Africans what he has achieved thus far in his second term when compared to his previous term. Instead he was showcasing (in most other cases will be a good idea) students that are being sponsored by DAFF. President Zuma talks of empowering the masses. Let’s take the banking sector. Why do the poor have to pay bank charges, and why are they not allowed loans etc. In India PM Modi has ensured that within 9 months every household has at least 1 bank account and that the poor do not pay bank charges and qualify for micro loans from the larger banks. Yes, this has been done by a government that believes in the free market economy. I suggest that instead of government Ministers going to India to buy suits that the entire cabinet visit India and learn how to govern i.e. minimum government and maximum governance.
When looking at our Opposition parties, a lot needs to change. I recall Premier Zille last year indicating that opposition alliances only get formed after elections. Zille should look to the world’s largest democracy (66 years of age) where these alliances are formed before elections. The Opposition has to keep the State in check. They cannot and will not achieve this by being fragmented. During the shambles of the recent NOTA they should have all walked out, and then the President would have had to take a call to have an all-party meeting or talk to himself! Albeit, they were all point scoring to the media. When compared to the world’s largest democracy, all political opposition parties are united in parliament and ensure that the Prime Minister answers all questions. I note that President Zuma has indicated that he will only answer 6 questions. The President must realize that he is a servant of the people and not the other way around. If the Opposition unite and ALL walk out of parliament then the President will be forced to answer. For the Opposition to unite does not mean giving up ideological differences, but rather for a common purpose. Also if the President does not have time to answer to Parliament, then, maybe he is tired and should resign and get someone suitable with energy, vigour and enthusiasm, someone that will be able to schedule his / her time more efficiently so that to ensure that he is accountable to Parliament.
Recently Max Du Preez wrote on how and why South Africa is not a failed state. I agree with him; however a failed state is not one that is only created by the erosion of institutions. It can easily be done by neglecting those that have voted you to power, especially when they do not see a viable alternative.
