LUMKILE MONDI: Cyril Ramaphosa wanted evidence-based policies — so what gives?
SA does not need economic stimulus so much as a long-term growth and development strategy
When President Cyril Ramaphosa acted Zuma-like last week by announcing late at night that the ANC had decided to amend Section 25 of the Constitution as a sort of economic stimulus package, I wondered what such a stimulus would entail after 24 years of ANC economic mismanagement. The government redistributes benefits and rent-seeks. No wonder we have a commission of inquiry into state capture. The economy shrunk by 2.2%in the first quarter and the fuel levy and VAT had to be increased to replace shrinking revenue due to its rent-seeking and redistributive policies. The president alluded in his inaugural state of the nation address to evidence-based policies — so why the rush to provide economic stimulus? I think it is all about voter persuasion in preparation for the 2019 general election. This view is also supported by the ANC’s hasty reaction on broad-based black economic empowerment (B-BBEE) following the DA’s provocative announcement. Before I substantiate my argument, I believe...
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