Steady ship needed during these turbulent times

In “Information-age confusion blinds us to real issues — and solutions” (July 8), Ron Derby highlights uncertainty, particularly the government’s call for land reform, which needs clarity or the result will be disastrous.

This issue, if not handled sensibly, will cause a greater flight of capital.

The government’s claim that only 13% of land is in the hands of black people is misleading — the land owned by municipalities and the government is substantial. White ownership of farms providing food security and other crops earning valuable foreign currency probably accounts for about 10% of the country’s land mass.

The court ruling on the issue of BEE shareholding, that once empowered is always empowered, offered some certainty on the matter, but the government clamouring for a new Mining Charter is further delaying investment.

The disaster of Jacob Zuma’s administration will be felt for many years. The levels of sovereign debt ran amok. Bell Pottinger, hired by the Guptas to try to sanitise their nefarious activities, helped sow racial divisions, creating slogans demonising white monopoly capital — yet without it, business will grind to a halt.

Uncertainty reigns, with fake news playing its part and the ruling party failing to understand the ramifications of its poorly articulated vision, not recognising that its past mistakes are of no help in these times, which require a steady ship in turbulent waters.

Ted O’Connor, Johannesburg