Have your say!       Comment!       Get a response!

Tuesday, April 20, 2010

National planning on hold?

The Times Editorial: In his state of the nation speech in February, President Jacob Zuma promised to make 2010 a "year of action" for his administration.

But sadly, dithering, not action, has been the hallmark of the Zuma government for the past four months.

Take the keenly awaited announcement of the National Planning Commission's members.

The commission is a crucial body because it will be responsible for drafting South Africa's long-term vision and for national strategic planning. But, long after the conclusion of the nomination of candidate commissioners, Zuma has yet to reveal who made it onto the 20-member body.

His office seems unable to explain the delay, saying only that "the president cannot be hurried on this matter".


Could it be that Zuma's failure to decide on which of the nominees will make it onto the final list of 20 is linked to the never-ending power struggle in the ANC alliance?

The lead-up to the nominations was dogged by a much-publicised spat between Zuma's left-wing ally Cosatu and the minister in the presidency responsible for the commission, Trevor Manuel. Cosatu was worried that the commission would give Manuel, its ideological foe, too much power in determining government policies.

Though the conflict was resolved by amending the commission's powers, it is apparent that the body is viewed as a redoubt to be hard fought for by both the leftists and the economic pragmatists in the ruling party. But it is up to Zuma to rise above these narrow interest groups in his party and do what is best for South Africa as a whole.

Further delays in announcing the names of the members of the commission can only serve to fuel perceptions that ours is an indecisive president and that his promise that 2010 will be a year of action was just hot air.

Source: Times Live

No comments:

Post a Comment

Have your say!