Respect institutions

SIR — The impending onset of nuclear procurement will have a devastating impact on the visions articulated in the National Development Plan and Constitution. The conflation of this development with the political tsunami set off by the recent municipal elections is but one indicator of the wicked nature of the complex problem with which SA Inc is confronted.

That a fledgling developmental state such as ours turns to the likes of the respected Dr Kelvin Kemm for advice on state-driven nuclear power, when he preaches market-based solutions in the case of the sugar tax, clearly demonstrates state capture by those who run with state hares and hunt with corporate hounds.

SA thus ends up trying to run away from her shadow in the name of fighting poverty, unemployment and inequality. Such is the structure of the wicked problem confronting us, where the solution worsens the problem. However, despite the deafening silence of our talented systems thinkers on the dizzying chaos evolving daily, SA Inc has finally demonstrated the capability to put the patient called the state in a properly run mental asylum.

We can thus be confident that Citizen SA will collectively beat the busy pundits once again in the 2019 elections, by prevailing with a brilliant solution. May we thus all continue to safeguard and enhance the independence of our Chapter 9 institutions so the centre does not disintegrate.