Scandal of crumbling economy is more serious than Nkandla

07 August 2015 - 02:08 By The Times Editorial

President Jacob Zuma should certainly be challenged on the Nkandla "security upgrading" but we should not let that issue occlude the economic chaos and degeneration we have seen under his leadership. Under normal circumstances, Zuma and his cabinet team would have long been recalled and replaced by able and competent leaders.The sorry state of our economy is not receiving the attention it deserves.The failing businesses and industries, and the consequent retrenchments, do not top the national agenda. Instead, our attention is diverted by side issues - and the ruling party is only too happy to have them dominate debate.The shadow of Nkandla eclipses the bread-and-butter issues that millions in this country face.We have ministers appointed to deal with job creation - instead their time is devoted to scandals and non-issues.Minister of Small Business Development Lindiwe Zulu and Minister of Economic Development Ebrahim Patel have yet to deliver on their mandates.All they have given us is ideology and rhetoric.Nothing is happening on the ground.We need parliamentary committees that focus purely on economic matters, that are dedicated to creating jobs and a secure financial future.Instead, our MPs are devoted to the ignoble art of insulting their political opponents.The parliamentary circus -The Nkandla Show - does not inspire the populace.Millions of young, jobless people have little faith in the future.There are so many unemployed, but what does the ANC, or the opposition, do to counter this - nothing.We deserve real leadership - even if it means taking to the streets and camping outside the Union Buildings.South Africans will escape this morass only on the day they decide to stand up and demand real action...

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