Can Peter Mokaba meet Pravin G?
We need 'radical transformation' to be more than just rhetoric
After hearing Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan mention the word "transformation" more than 50 times in this year's budget speech, I found myself thinking a lot about the importance of words and the difference between political rhetoric and the true meaning of politicians' utterances. The term "rhetoric" itself is defined as "speech designed to have a persuasive effect but which lacks in sincerity or meaningful content". President Jacob Zuma has for a while now been using the phrase "radical economic transformation" when reporting on the initiatives of his government in finding ways for the millions of disadvantaged black South Africans to effectively participate in the economy. And then there is the EFF, which is the only opposition party in South Africa with the word "economic" in their name - in itself an innovative and bold statement. You will often hear them say "economic freedom in our lifetime" - capturing the imagination of millions of young South Africans who handsomely repai...
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