Time for talk is over, now is the time to deliver

The Times Editorial: President Jacob Zuma declared his party's national general council a success yesterday and spelt out the key issues awaiting his government.

Primarily, Zuma said, the national general council has given the ANC-led government an idea of what must be done.

Until now, he had set in motion review processes and performance assessments for his ministers. Now, government must deliver.

Yesterday, Zuma promised: "We also promised the South African people that they will see change. We cannot fail our people who entrusted their faith in the ANC and returned it to office with such an overwhelming majority."

But, as Zuma promised to deliver on the mandate of the South African electorate, his office was quick to dispel speculation from weekend newspapers that the axe would fall on several under-performing ministers in a post-NGC climate of decision-making. There will be no reshuffling of the Cabinet.

But how can government move into the "implementation phase" that the president speaks of when there are clearly ministers who are under-performing?

How does the president justify retaining Correctional Services Minister Nosiviwe Mapisa-Nqakula against her previous lacklustre performance at home affairs?

Just last week, for instance, 14 prisoners escaped from the Khayelitsha Magistrate's Court cells in only two days. As much as the chaos at home affairs was not cleaned up, there must be little confidence that she can do much about prison breaks, overcrowding, corrupt officials and low staff morale.

As much as leadership is about inspiring those around you, it also demands tough action. In a country like ours, where disparity in social and economic circumstances is so stark, leadership requires that delivery and change must supersede political alliances.