Most people are so poor and marginalised they cannot contribute to society or access their constitutional rights. Ours is a low-intensity democracy: only 20% of citizens live a fulfilled life of economic and political participation.
The debate about the past 20 years is an opportunity to reconsider policies that have failed to address the legacies of colonialism, apartheid and poor governance. We need to be bold and allow our young nation to reconsider its goals. We must not set our sights on poverty alleviation alone but ensure we invest in our most precious resource, our people. We need to turn SA around from its path of mediocrity. This requires 20/20 vision.
We need to reform the electoral system. MPs, MPLs and many councillors are unaccountable and a drain on the fiscus. Citizens must be able to elect constituency MPs and MPLs and remove councillors who do not do their jobs. The president, premiers and mayors must be directly elected to ensure the best candidates win and not the cronies of those in power. There must be open access to media so citizens can air their views and interact with politicians more robustly. The appointment of all senior managers in the public service, local government and public enterprises must be through advertisements and interviews conducted by an independent panel of business, labour and civil society representatives and the appointee of the political head of the post. They must be subject to an annual performance review that will include consideration of the input of those who receive the services.
Further policy amendments in the governance of schools, hospitals, police stations and other public services should be aimed at the involvement of citizens. These services are now so dysfunctional that they are a complete waste of money. It is clear that extensive public-private and public-civil society partnerships are needed to improve these.
More extensive tax breaks based on employment opportunities, at least three years for companies with a turnover of less than R10m, the opening up of specialised IDZs and specialised funds at 1% effective interest rates for small firms, youth and women must be put in place. Mentoring by specialists is essential if enterprises are to succeed.
A citizen's allowance of R100/month for those who earn less than R3 000/month, and guaranteed work through a streamlined job opportunities programme (JOP), which includes training, must be implemented. Reducing unemployment to 20% in the next 10 years is achievable through the incentives, the JOP and the promotion of new enterprises.
Media, ICT and banking must be made accessible to all through government providing Internet services and the Postbank a free bank account for all who deposit and maintain a balance of R50. The SABC board must be appointed by an independent panel that includes a judge, a media industry representative, MPs from all parties and Nedlac representatives from all spheres.
There is nothing new in government's "new" industrial strategy and economic development "plan". Nor do these address the fundamental weaknesses of the economy: poor skills, expensive capital, limited manufacturing capacity and sectors that are being destroyed by unintended consequences of government policy. What is required is a dedicated focus on building capacity in agriculture, mining, renewable and green energy, public enterprises and public services, through partnerships with the private sector. These should include the issuing of shares in public enterprises directly to citizens through a formula that recognises past inequalities.
Dexter is Cope's head of communications
Ranking the Analysts 2009
