Readers’Views
Government needs to accept business as an equal partner
“Corporate South Africa cannot remain aloof from country’s challenges” (December 3), cried out your editorial last week. You are quite correct in demanding it play its part in the country’s development.
For many years its coffers have swelled, holding billions in interestproducing accounts instead of stocking up on inventories.
Yet, is business expected to risk shareholders’ money with future plans when it faces an uncertain future, government is quarrelsome and BEE deals are subject to change on the whim of a cabinet minister? The banking and mining charters are examples.
The government needs to understand that business is an equal partner in helping the country progress, but it should create a climate that ensures consistency, provide incentives and recognise the vital role of free enterprise in our economic life.
A buoyant economy expands employment, funds our fiscus and gives the government the wherewithal to deliver services to its citizens.
The government needs to be less hostile and suspicious of business, rein in corruption, employ enlightened cabinet ministers, build trust and allow commerce and industry to thrive — but alas, it is a dream deferred.
Ted O’Connor, Albertskroon
Response to Koos Bekker
Readers respond online to “Poor taste, says Koos of graft allegations”. (December 3)
Oh Koos — cleaner than the whitest white, just like KPMG, McKinsey and SAP were at the start of the allegations against them. Time will tell! And please don’t give us the senior counsel line — really we are not that stupid. You are starting to sound like Donald! Donald Stump
What are you smoking, Koos? It is in extremely poor taste to assume that this sort of drivel will make this go away, and more importantly how you personally are being viewed by any thinking and half-decent citizen. Keep on talking, keep on digging.
Plain Charlie Sorry Koos, but saying that “set-top box encryption is not interesting today to anyone” does not cut it. We need to join the dots and follow them to wherever they lead no matter how long ago.
Brian Nurane
To encrypt or not to encrypt is the question that is still holding up digital terrestrial television — nearly three years after deadline. To dismiss it as being of no interest is beyond disingenuous. And a reading of those minutes makes it all too clear that set-top boxes and DTT policy was the reason MultiChoice was at that meeting. As long as DTT is up in the air, STBs are of enormous interest. Finish and Klaar.
Glenda Nevill
Response to SABC ‘lifeline’
Readers respond online to “SABC asks for R3bn lifeline, nothing more”. (December 3)
Since MultiChoice has money to burn and pay for special favours, why don’t they pay everybody’s TV licence?
Quinton Smit