We need to reconsider government of national unity to rebuild SA

THE one lesson the past few weeks has shown us is that the gap between the well off and the poor in South Africa could result in an explosive situation.

A political system based on confrontation between the political and social groupings is not conducive to peaceful and progressive development. In 1994 an effort was made to introduce a calming situation whereby a government of national unity (GNU) would ease the initial transition. Unfortunately the experiment did not work, basically because past differences were still too raw.

Now, after 26 years, and no sign of “a better life for all” we have had the explosion, because a small group of instigators could exploit the teeming masses to loot and ransack, while the instigators directed the destruction of the economic and social infrastructure in industrial, commercial and a mix of residential areas.

The aftermath, however, also occurred. Large numbers of socially responsible black, coloured, Indian and white South Africans volunteered to guard whatever they could. The president and some of his better-qualified ministers and advisers were caught unawares, but were catapulted into the realisation that drastic measures had to be taken to prevent a collapse of the political, commercial and social fabric of South Africa.

What South Africa needs more than anything else is economic development and job creation. However, unless there is confidence in the sustainability of an economic system, the investments are unlikely to be forthcoming sufficiently to create more employment. There is a substantial reserve of potential South African money to be invested and when South Africans are seen to be sustainable, investors foreign investment is also likely to be forthcoming.

But enduring confidence is a pre-requisite for that and it is not encouraged sufficiently by the fragile economic policy.

The internal infighting in the ANC at present adds fuel to the economic distrust and the weakness of a number of Cabinet ministers does not engender confidence either.

Of the top 10 economic enterprises registered on the JSE, more than half are mainly overseas based and it has been stated that South Africa is probably the only developing country wh ere South African investment overseas is more than overseas investment in South Africa. The question arises whether the time is not opportune now for an attempt to reintroduce the experiment of having a GNU? It would, however, have to be supplemented by a core Cabinet of capable ministers. If necessary, possibly at least half would have to be drawn from the non-political private sector so as to withdraw (at least temporarily for five to 10 years) from the present confrontational political system. This would require an enabling constitutional adjustment.

We urgently need to get away from fire-brand politics.

Many capable and enterprising leaders are discouraged from being involved in the confrontational system (and often mud-slinging) of electoral politics, but giving them opportunity to serve the country in a meaningful and positive way, they could make a welcome sustainable and positive contribution to stable politics – an essential for economic confidence.

Frequent attempts have been made to devise developmental economic systems, but implementation has been lacking. Because it is lacking, unemployment has risen. Well-meaning efforts are made by gazetting minimum wages. That might help the employed, but it does not reduce unemployment. It does not reduce the potential explosive masses.

The aftermath of the co-operative spirit among well-meaning South Africans has given new hope. If the authorities are prepared to build thereon and show resolve to restore an orderly foundation, a new international confidence could be built. If we don’t try, we will not succeed.

VA VOLKER | Pietermaritzburg