Government hurts local business
The case that Dstv puts before the Independent Communications Authority of SA (Icasa) is a test case for the overregulation syndrome that has engulfed SA. When Multichoice CEO Calvo Mawela complains about Netflix and unfair playing fields, it is really hard to pad up and come out to bat for a company that has enjoyed a 20-year monopoly in paid-tv. The emotional response is that this is just a monopoly, whining against competition.
However, Multichoice is right and it reflects wider frustration. The truth is that SA’S brutal, overregulated environment hurts local businesses.
We have developed a national culture of attacking our local profitmakers. We are boxed into the “White Monopoly Capital Bogeyman” and at every turn there is another government department introducing new regulation.
Capitalism has moved on. Our competitors are now global and beyond our legislation. Attempts to regulate local business, no matter what the merits of transformation or environmental control, serve simply to enhance the prospects for offshore competitors.
Dstv, at least, has the resources to put up a fight against this destructive regulatory force, but down the line thousands of smaller SA companies suffer the indignities of government bullying and interference.
There can be few SA businesses that do not feel we are forced into a position of disadvantage against global competitors, who enjoy a trading platform free from the agendas that tangle us.
I am not suggesting we start to regulate international players. It is impossible to control global players such as Google, Netflix, Apple, Microsoft or Facebook.
But we should not make it tougher than it is for local business to compete against them.
The time has come to scale back on the powers of Icasa and similar bodies, who add no value to our GDP. Every cent paid to claimants is from our tax money. We always end up paying for the incompetence of the government. And lawyers are the worst. They exploit the vulnerable to collect millions. They are no better than politicians. When I arrived in SA and found out about the Road Accident Fund, I wondered why government didn’t set it up as an insurer, with actuaries instead of lawyers. Having to sue to get a service that has been paid for seems to be a “job for the (lawyer) boys”. If the National Health Insurance goes that way, I’m sorry for all of us who will have to endure the “service” of the state. The FM will give away a bottle of whisky each month for the best letter to the editor. The editor will choose the winner and his decision will be final.