Readers’Views

Hard to throw someone under the train with Transnet in present state

The column “Will Portia Derby be thrown under the train?” (September 24) refers.

The important question is whether the Transnet board will appoint competent executive management based on merit alone, and then give them the space and resources to execute on clear and simple priorities like growing freight volumes and keeping tariffs competitive.

Not contaminated by cadre deployment, preferential procurement, etc. — AM Thompson, on BusinessLIVE

There is little doubt that the root cause of the problems is that those in leadership positions have run out of ideas. It is not surprising because there is no pool of competent personnel to appoint in critical positions.

Only the DA can find talent within the country. — Malele Mogoane, on BusinessLIVE

Absolutely no chance of throwing under the train — there aren’t any. — Anthony Walker, on BusinessLIVE

What’s the purpose of Gordhan bill?

The article “Gordhan’s bill ‘won’t rescue SOEs’” (September 24) refers. I fail to understand what the purpose of this proposal is. More high-paying jobs for ANC elite maybe? A further concentration of power? — On the beach, on BusinessLIVE

Blame government for rising prices

The article “State’s food security plan won’t protect consumers” (September 24) refers. Very convenient for the competition panel to blame producers for escalating food prices when it should be placed squarely on the failure of government to address factors giving rise to it — among them lack of municipal services to business, poor transportation options for goods and lack of electricity and water. Deflect, accuse, gaslight — all tried and tested ANC methods to shift responsibility. — Sandra Goldberg, on BusinessLIVE

N Cape can’t compete with DRC

The article “South Africa ‘will be Africa’s copper king’” (September 24) refers. All the best to Copper360. I hope the venture goes well and there are a lot of potential exciting mine restarts/new projects in the Northern Cape. However, the DRC produces about 2,000kt of copper cathode a year and South Africa is averaging less than 50kt. There is no indication that the kind of investment is being put into the Northern Cape needed to rival the DRC or Zambia at all. — Ritchie Thomas, on BusinessLIVE

The DRC is producing more than 2Mt of copper per annum while South Africa produces less than 100,000t per annum. There are mega projects in the DRC which have expansion plans that can increase its copper production to over 3Mt within the next 10 years. Could South Africa even reach 500,000t in the next 10 years? Then there is the question of why are none of the majors investing in the region? — Francois Gultig, on BusinessLIVE