Energy a better berth for Eskom than finance

Moving Eskom from the ministry of public enterprises has clearly become a necessary step in addressing the financial crisis facing the national electricity supply system, specifically the generation division.

Ranjeni Munusamy reports in “Big six lenders warned Brown of corruption” (January 28) that “Government sources said . . . Treasury wanted the cabinet to move the utility from public enterprises to finance”.

The National Treasury likes to extend its mandate, but Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba has enough to contend with and would be further conflicted under such an arrangement. As electricity is the core of South Africa’s energy system (more so than liquid fuels, though it is the carrier for no more than 30% of total energy consumption at the point of use), the representative of the public interest and shareholder must be the minister of energy.

Relocating accountability of the electricity monopoly to the ministry of energy makes sense, provided the post is occupied by a leader with appropriate knowledge, skills and experience, not a political deployee more adept at secrecy than transparency, who thinks “the energy mix” is a coherent policy proposition.

Bringing rationality to the energy sector will be an onerous task in this time of rapid change, so it is presumptuous to put forward a name, but would a dear friend please have persuasive words with Naledi Pandor?

Richard W, Westdene, Johannesburg

Inquiry the perfect opportunity

Growing optimism suggests South Africa is changing course to a positive trajectory of growth. The state capture inquiry, now gazetted but without clear rules, provides a perfect opportunity to demonstrate the significance of integrity and responsibility required from our leaders.

Corrupt, fraudulent and captured individuals in state-owned enterprises, the public sector and the executive will finally be called to account for their ethical, financial and legal failures. But if the right checks and balances had been in place upfront, these flagrant abuses could have been flagged and dispensed with years ago — and the untold billions bled from the fiscus channelled to education and job creation.

The dogged efforts of our auditorgeneral to overhaul the Public Audit Act — clamping down on continued financial mismanagement of public funds — make perfect sense. Clean, transparent and effective governance, as well as liability for corruption, fraud and mismanagement, are just the combustion needed to kick our growth engine into gear.

Business confidence is on the rise and the rand has seen an upswing, which could only improve investor sentiment. These are vital stimulators for economic growth.

But without a determined, sustained focus on accountability when it comes to public funds, our woes are far from over.

There’s never been a better time in South Africa to do the right thing.

Adam Craker, Johannesburg

Time to toss the ‘McBuffalo’ tag

We know that Hogarth’s articles are the best when it comes to taking wayward politicians down a peg or two, however, I do think it’s time he dropped referring to Cyril Ramaphosa as McBuffalo.

Pieter-Dirk Uys found it difficult to include Nelson Mandela in his political satire because, apart from his many attributes, Mandela embraced all South Africans in his vision of the new South Africa. Early signs indicate Ramaphosa shares the same ideal; his calm explanation of his plans is a relief from the excitable tirades of other politicians.

I am sure Hogarth is as fair in showing respect to a politician of worth as he is relentless in exposing those that are incompetent and self-serving.

MD Taylor, Kenilworth, Cape Town

Coetzee’s excuses are feeble

Allister Coetzee asserts, in “Coetzee goes to war with rugby bosses” (January 28), that he found it “distasteful” that he, as a black South African, was used as a pawn, an act he described as “deeply reprehensible”.

He contends that SA Rugby had to employ a person of colour but devised a plan to construct his failure by starving him of resources. How implausible.

The only resource Coetzee lacked was international coaching ability, and to argue that Rassie Erasmus’s appointment “held back the transformation of rugby” is as feeble and inept as Coetzee’s incumbency.

Moreover, he says that if reduced to a ceremonial role, he would have to “face the indignity of reporting to Rassie”.

It is clear that Coetzee’s self-esteem is more important than having a winning Springbok rugby side.

Nathan Cheiman, Northcliff, Johannesburg

Masekela shaped my taste in music

What a brilliant piece on Hugh Masekela by Bongani Madondo, “It was a joy!” (January 28). Straight from the heart. The loss of such a brilliant artist is felt across all racial divides in South Africa.

As a 50-year-old white man I was part of the apartheid machinery and have to admit it robbed me of way more than what I gained. However, I was not to be influenced when it came to music. Ladysmith Black Mambazo, Hugh and many other African artists formed my view on African music and it has not changed. All I can say is, sorry for my part in the madness. I envy you for the sweetest sounds born from the most bitter of injustices. Masekela proved that in the end, good will triumph over evil.

Henk du Toit, Johannesburg

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