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Photo: Phill Magakoe.
There are differences of opinion within the ruling party and its alliance partners about the relevance and importance of the ANC Youth League's planned economic freedom youth mass action, the UDM said on Monday in an open letter to President Jacob Zuma.
These differences revealed deep-seated divisions between these parties about what macroeconomic policies the country should pursue and how national resources should be managed, UDM leader Bantu Holomisa MP added.
"Today, many South Africans continue to be suspicious and mistrustful of government's actions owing to perceptions that it is not distributing the resources of the country equitably. Criticism has been labelled against the government for developing economic policies which favour the new privileged political elite. Our country's scarce resources are spent on elite projects whose sustainability is questionable."
Holomisa said that since 1994, there had been no consensus among South Africans about the macroeconomic policy which could transform the economy in a manner which could create and spread wealth wider and improve the wellbeing of disadvantaged communities.
The harsh reality was that the country suffered from a chronic official unemployment rate of 25.7%, which stood at 45% when using the expanded definition, Homomisa noted.
He said the economy had been unable to create jobs while millions of jobs had been destroyed.
"Economic growth is too low to absorb new entrants into the labour market."
The prospects of reversing the dismal trend appeared "farfetched" under the prevailing macroeconomic economic policy.
"The gains of political liberation have not translated into real economic freedom for all."
Holomisa said the attainment of real freedom could only be realised through massive socio-economic delivery.
"The UDM's point of view is that such a socio-economic delivery can only come to fruition when the government is willing to invest in its own economy and people.
"Put simply, we are saying : Government must do more."
Industrialised countries, including emerging economies like China, India and Brazil never shirked government responsibility towards their citizens.
"They are always willing to make timely interventions in their economies, as and when the need arises, to protect their domestic economies."
Holomisa said a government that proposed anything less did not care about the welfare and prosperity of its people.
"Even the former apartheid government intervened in the economy, albeit under separate developments."
The ANC had touted various economic policies - "first it was RDP, then GEAR, then ASGISA and now the New Growth Path (NGP)), which was being piloted by Minister Patel."
However, none of these had translated into tangible benefits for the majority of the citizens, Holomisa said.
"It is time for representatives of all the stakeholders to converge under one roof and establish if the time has not come to conclude the other part of CODESA [Convention for a Democratic SA] which never received much attention; that is, economic freedom."
A casual observation of the massive looting of state resources showed people were under the impression that they were free to deal with SA's resources in a cavalier way.
"In order to avoid a move towards a second revolution, we ought to go back and finish what we started in the CODESA negotiations," Holomisa concluded. - I-Net Bridge
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Philla.Joseph.Thubana, wrote
Julius Malema is a herro he is figthing for the rigth cause I would like to see him beang the next SA President in future i see a great leader that would make sure that people are not manupulated,flutterd and caoxed by this people whom we respect as our leaders but in return they fool people like no buddiez business Viva Malema Viva (Zuma)out come in President MOTLANTE you know our mandate.
Sinies, wrote
A very valid point is that the ANC led government lost all claim to trustworthiness. Neither their supporters nor the opposition supporters trust them any more, the main reason being, what they say and what they do have little in common and even then it comes with a snag. To me the parlament and the 'elected' list of party elite have zero bearing on the outcome of the future of RSA. The ANC is puppets on a (money)string!
Moloko, wrote
He makes some interesting points. The single most important thing that differentiates 'prosperous' from 'less prosperous' countries, is high levels of employment, at wages that lift people out of poverty. The theory is simple: if most people are working (1) more people contribute to the economy and pay tax, all the way up the value chain (2) crime drops, as they now have a stake in the country (3) protests, strikes and general mayhem drops because people feel more 'connected' to their country and its economy. China and some others are living proof that anything can be achieved as long as the majority of people are working for a decent wage. But it starts with government making short-term sacrifices to achieve a long-term goal. African leaders are not always prepared to make those sacrifices...
Anonymous, wrote
He makes sense. But forgets that there is still poverty in China and India on a massive scale.
cd, wrote
Brian, wrote
O.D, wrote
Aluta, wrote
The General might have a point so that we can stop seeing boZuma defending white capital...
aNON, wrote
the answer to growth is very simple - let go of your inate need to punish whites for apartheid...there are too few whites to make much impact through 'job reservation' ie AA, BBBEE, etc - so let it go! there are many well educate whites (only a small percentage of overall population) who can contribute to making a big difference and are very willing to do so but are EXCLUDED by racial discrimination. anc and others need for retribution against whites is one of the reasons the country is going backwards, no job creation, stagnant economy, loss of skills, poor education standards, etc. whites arent the beginning and end to SA prosperity but they can make a difference.
Anonymous, wrote
Anonymous, wrote
I fully agree, while the country's economy needs stimulation, the ANC seems preoccupied by succession battles, in-fighting, disciplinary hearings, etc. Mr Holomisa is correct in stating that previous efforts have come to nought. Although the lip service to job creation is there, real commitment is lacking. Govt projects to create jobs, should be aligned to favourable trade conditions for local and overseas companies (tax breaks, Eskom rebates, etc.). The scope of bilateral trade agreements needs to be increased as well.
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