Readers’Views
Private sector will invest where there is certainty
Elias Masilela, it’s all good and well to call for private-sector participation and policy input, “Have the courage to invest the cash”, (Newsmaker, September 22).
But do you honestly expect the private sector to feel part of the process and welcomed when you have an ANC that is ideologically obsessed with seeing the sector as some enemy that needs to be beaten into submission and the country steamrolled with a marxist-inspired national democratic revolution?
Public-private partnerships work in countries where the government and policymakers are not drunk on unworkable socialist utopian ideals and totally out of touch with reality.
No wonder the private sector would rather risk its capital abroad in untested markets than dare invest in the “opportunities” in SA.
It’s very simple. Do you want to see that R4-trillion sitting in the privatesector books to generously flow into SA? Abandon expropriation without compensation and the NHI madness. Guarantee private property rights. Do away with destructive BEE and affirmative action. Privatise the vast majority of SOEs.
Just those simple actions will unleash this economy in ways you cannot imagine. If not, your little pep talk here will be meaningless, and citizens and businesses will continue to put their money where there is certainty and future growth.
Mr Speedy, on businessLIVE
Let Cyril act without hindrance
The alarming headline “Market decries state’s lack of urgency on economy” (September 22) clearly indicates the ANC has no understanding of how serious our situation is.
The ball is in President Cyril Ramaphosa’s court, yet he has failed to take bold action.
Unfortunately, he has a bloated cabinet of very little talent, but they must allow him to act without hindrance.
Surely they realise that if he goes, the rand will go with him? So best they act in the country’s interests — time is of the essence.
Ted O’Connor, Johannesburg
Comair move another setback
Lufthansa is setting up operations in SA, and has already snatched a lucrative maintenance business from SAA, “Comair buckles up for SAA Technical descent” (September 22).
The move by Comair is another setback for SAA as it awaits a further bailout from the Treasury. That the ANC and the government are unable to properly run state entities is clear when almost all its entities lie in ruin. Nathan Cheiman, Johannesburg
Spot on, Ron
Spot on, Ron Derby, “Wake up and smell the free-trade plan” (September 22)! Too many people dwell on the negative as opposed to opportunities.
SA is well positioned to capitalise on the African Continental Free Trade Area if we can wipe away the scales of pessimism and negativity.
Myles Fourie, on businessLIVE
Yawn. We do not have another 50 years. The major South African corporations have earned their “Been into Africa” badges. Ask MTN how difficult that is.
Derek Salzmann, on businessLIVE