South Africa faces a critical juncture, as highlighted by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana in the recent presentation of the Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement (MTEF). The nation’s soaring national debt has emerged as a top priority, surpassing even social development and health expenditures in the budget. Despite the pressing issues in education, social security, and crime prevention, the government is compelled to allocate substantial resources to service the mounting debt.
Every south African understands the need to allocate more resources to our education department in order to deal with the historical inequalities of our past – especially those persisting between former model C schools and those in townships and rural areas. Social security grants, a vital poverty alleviation tool, play a crucial role in sustaining many South African households. The challenges within the public health system require significant financial injections to bridge the gap with the private sector. The fight againstcorruption and crime prevention, despite being declared top priorities, have not instilled a sense of safety among South Africans.
The national debt has reached alarming proportions, posing a threat to the government’s ability to furtherborrow and hindering revenue generation through taxes. To avert a crisis where essential services, including salaries for teachers, nurses, and police, may be at risk, the Minister of Finance has hinted at possible austerity measures or tax increases. This potential crisis, if not well handled, could dwarf the challenges of energy crisis like loadshedding.
The unfolding budget crisis aligns with broader structural issues such as poverty, inequality, and a stagnant economy. A united effort is required to address these challenges comprehensively. The government alone cannot overcome these hurdles, emphasising the need for a national consensus to drive socio-economic development.
However, distractions from trivial issues and political sensationalism often divert attention from these critical matters. The campaign for the upcoming 2024 elections, portrayed by some as a new beginning or liberation moment, lacks a substantive focus on the challenges outlined by the finance minister. The major focus of the debates about the possible outcome 2024 elections is around the narrow power grab through any possible permutation to achieve fifty plus majority. A deeper understanding of the nation’s challenges and a commitment to unity are prerequisites for overcoming these obstacles.
Drawing parallels with the challenges faced during the transition to democracy in 1994, an inclusive solutionwas pursued. The government of national unity(comprising of the ANC (62,9%), NP (22%) and IFP (10%) established at that time, despite ideological differences, demonstrated visionary leadership in the interest of national cohesion. It is instructive to note that this government enjoyed 94,9% of political parties’ representation in parliament (a true expression of the will of the people).
Those visionary leaders of the time, understood that a workable movement forward needed maximum unity and cohesion of the nation. The leaders understood that they were dealing with important matters involving the future of the nation, and therefore emotions and egos were of less importance. We now know, from the vantage point of hindsight that their visionary leadership had prevented the possibility of the country descending into a civil war and therefore becoming a pile of ruins.
The lessons from this period are vital for addressing present-day challenges, necessitating bold and decisive leadership that prioritises national interests over egos and emotions.
The magnitude of the present-day challenges is similar or even worse than the one experienced during the pivotal transition to democracy in 1994. At that critical juncture, leaders, despite ideological differences and being arch enemies, forged a coalition government to foster national unity. Such a collaborative effort recognised the magnitude of challenges and prioritised unity over narrow interests. Drawing inspiration from this historical precedent, we cannot emphasise enough the potential for present-day political leadership to rise to the occasion. However, this requires a collective understanding of the current challenges and a willingness to set aside personal egos and emotions for the collective well-being of the nation.
The challenges facing South Africa, ranging from poverty and education, to health and crime, demand a national plan comparable to the Marshall Plan. Achieving this requires a united and determined nation, currently hindered by polarisation and a significant trust deficit. Rebuilding national trust is crucial to rekindle a positive national mood, essential for attracting investments and achieving lasting solutions to pressing issues.
In conclusion, it should be emphasised that unity should not mean uniformity or conformity, but unity anddiversity. Our challenges are bigger than the notion of forming coalition governments based only on like-mindedness. An inclusive government, consisting of major political parties like it happened in 1994 should focus on the urgent tasks of removing all binding constraints impeding economic growth. Chief among these barriers will include resolution of the energy crisis(loadshedding), upgrading and maintenance of the rail and port logistics, as well as the elimination of wastage across the state institutions. Rebuilding national trust and creating a stable, business-friendly environment are essential for attracting investments, fostering economic growth, and ultimately realising the aspirations of the nation.
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Sello Moloto is an ambassador and former Premier of Limpopo. He writes in his personal capacity.