DIRECTION OF TREASURY
Gigaba’s adviser entirely at odds with economic policy since 1994
Minister causes confusion by backing inclusive growth while lending his ear to proponent of zero-sum class war
Malusi Gigaba is a confusing figure. What exactly is he saying? Immediately after his appointment as finance minister, he declared his commitment to a programme of "radical economic transformation", a phrase that, if it means anything at all, must mean policies that are different — radically different? — from those that preceded them. A few days later, after the first ratings agency downgrade of our sovereign debt, he professed himself shocked that anyone might think he would do anything other than continue the policies of his predecessor. "While the executive leadership of the finance portfolio has changed," a media statement from the Treasury read, "government’s overall policy orientation remains the same." Dropped from these later statements was the language of radical economic transformation, now replaced by a frequently repeated commitment to his predecessor’s goal of "inclusive growth". Can this volte-face be taken at face value? It’s impossible to know, because, at about the ...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.