Populist promises will not achieve a better future

When confused and desperate, we sometimes fall for the most outlandish solutions. When desperate for a life that makes sense, we seek answers in places we would normally ignore.

Julius Malema, leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, says he will nationalise mines and take a 60% stake in major retail outlets to fund his socialist programme.

But if he is given a chance to govern the Republic, do we have the resources to fund such a project? Is South Africa in a position to support a populist programme that will appeal to the hungry masses?

Today, Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan will deliver his Budget speech, and every member of society will expect to be catered for in it. Whether or not the economy is growing, we expect social grants and government programmes to go ahead.

What many of us fail to understand is that we cannot continue to fund such programmes if the tax base continues to shrink. More money must be collected if we are to realise the targets set every year.

That is why Malema and others calling for radical changes should be reminded of the dangers of taking the seemingly easy route to our future.

There is no denying that more still needs to be done to eradicate the apartheid legacy; how we go about it is the key. We should not fall into a trap of solutions that will for a short period of time appease the destitute.

Gordhan has a responsibility not to appease his masters as elections approach. He must think of the future and what our aim is as a country.

Populist agendas might win the day, but they will not solve the deep-seated problems we must defeat. The electorate must understand the future the country is aiming for before it rushes to endorse programmes that will take us in the opposite direction. Malema and others should explain to the country how they will implement their radical programmes in a global world that seems smaller every day.

It is imperative that we prevent populism from reigning over common sense.