LETTER: SA’s rearview mirror is dangerous
The country is inhibited, even after 25 years of democracy, by unending talk of the injustices of the past
When Cyril Ramaphosa became president he displayed the typical trait of many African leaders — looking in the rearview mirror, focusing on what has seemingly caused Africa’s problems historically, including apartheid and colonialism. But you cannot drive a car properly if you keep looking in the rearview mirror. You will either have an accident or progress very slowly. SA is held back, even after 25 years of democracy, by unending talk of the injustices of the past and the need to expropriate land without compensation and implement race-based policies for employment. Instead of looking forward and implementing strategies that have proven successful elsewhere, this constant looking back is the millstone around SA’s neck that keeps the country economically retarded, with annual growth of just 1% to 2%. Successful governments look forward and vigorously implement strategies that grow the economy. Two examples:
After the Korean War South Korea was one of the poorest countries in t...
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