Readers’ Views

Mend ailing public health-care system first, then bring on NHI

The article “Ramaphosa wrests control of NHI” (August 26) refers. The statement “Most of the country’s population, which lives in poverty, only has access to public health care, which is characterised by poor infrastructure, a lack of facilities and a skills shortage” is putting it politely.

Public health care is a filthy mess created by ANC corruption, looting and neglect. Let us see the ANC correct this urgently and hold its cadres who are responsible for this disgrace criminally accountable.

Internal discipline is not good enough. It is time for criminal charges.

Fix our public health-care system and then build the noble idea of National Health Insurance.

Francoise Phillips, on Businesslive

Heed banks’ fears on land reform

Land Bank CEO Tshokolo Nchocho’s warning in “Tread carefully on new land reform” (Newsmaker, August 26) is the second after the World Bank’s.

Not heeding two credible organisations dealing with micro- and macro-lending would be the stupidest and most myopic error, one our economic history will not forgive, and it will weigh heavily on President Cyril Ramaphosa’s conscience when the rand dives as markets react.

When emerging farmers fail (as they will) to service existing loans on farms, what will become of food security, and what will become of the poorest of the poor in a once “economically healthy” country currently hanging on the edges of welfare dependence?

Just how Ramaphosa hopes to expropriate without hurting the economy is a matter of concern, and, to echo Nchocho, “the consequences are just too dire to contemplate” when Land Bank funders snip the scissors.

We shall all drown in economic ruin, with a few enjoying the fruits of political liberty through corrupt means. It takes a man of conscience to make the right decisions in times of crisis, even unpopular decisions.

Agriculture is a sensitive, delicate, practical hands-on science and requires experience and expertise, not mere book knowledge or academic accolades in papers written for prestigious, scientifically accredited journals. Its writing is on a tractor, in animal husbandry, in grain barns, in silos and in machinery maintenance, diesel and oil affordability, and, of course, the Land Bank loan-servicing Nchocho warns about — a tall order indeed.

Moikwatlhai Benjamin Seitisho, Phuthaditjhaba

It’s tough to do business in SA

Surely I cannot be the only person who gets the feeling that the government has found a new source of income. I refer to the huge fines that are imposed on companies allegedly contravening competition regulations.

It seems that the government is hellbent on making it as difficult as possible for companies, both big and small, to do business in SA and, in this case, appears to be quite energetic and efficient, yet every other state-owned entity is mired in corruption and incompetence.

I am also intrigued to know if the fines are ring-fenced or just go to feeding Gupta-style enterprises — meaning our corrupt politicians and their lifestyles.

Tony Ball, Pinetown