Difficult decisions confront the government

THE NEXT YEAR is going to be tough for government, especially where the difficult decisions will have to be made.

But in Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, South Africa has an ebullient finance czar in the position, despite his earlier public pronouncements of an aversion to the post.

Asked about how government planned to deal with the bloated public service, Mboweni came up with a novel solution of sorts, halting all new appointments and not replacing public servants who resigned or died, but at the same time seeking to retain those with competent skills.

Chuckling, he said when he signed his employment contract two weeks ago, he was astounded when it stated that part of his remuneration included a 13th cheque.

Reflecting on his career in the private sector, he said workers there were rated on a performance scale out of 10: “Those who get 4.5 know that they have to go; there’s no goodbyes, they just quietly go.”

Pressed, he said the person who would have to make those difficult decisions would be Public Service and Administration Minister Ayanda Dlodlo.

Whatever government decides to do to cut the public service wage bill, it will likely face tough opposition from labour unions.

Right now South Africa requires decisive action to steer the economy towards the sort of growth that will attract investment and drive employment which, ultimately, is the best cure for poverty – not social grants.

As can be expected, opposition parties have already poked holes in the government’s medium-term budget policy statement. Hopefully they will present alternatives to their voters when they campaign for next year’s general elections.

But the biggest threat to President Cyril Ramaphosa’s plans to re-ignite the economy is not from opposition parties and trade unions, but from within his own ANC.

His election as party president was close, and within the party he still needs to stamp his authority over officials who have long escaped accountability, while living off the fat of the land.

They must be brought to heel and prosecuted where necessary.