Zuma is costing us: iLIVE

It is a national tragedy when a president becomes a liability to the country.

Sadly, President Jacob Zuma has become this with his total lack of foresight and action ("Markets defy Zuma", May 31).

At his surprise press conference, he again proved he is a leader who believes problems will solve themselves.

Without a concrete plan of action and sound economic ideologies, there is no progress.

Part of the problem is that Zuma and his administration fail to rein in the unlawful behaviour and disregard of wage contracts by alliance partners. No country is attractive to investors if a government permits, and sometimes even supports, unruly, criminal and obstructive behaviour by its workers. Higher wages are desirable if backed up by improved output and productivity.

The government, with its disregard of transparency and accountability, and its inaction on corruption, doesn't inspire confidence. - Erwin Schwentzek, by e-mail

FINANCE Minister Pravin Gordhan has confidence that the rand has been oversold and will recover eventually. He said this in an interview in Marrakesh, Morocco. I can't help wondering if he was smoking something.

Jokes aside, we are plagued with strikes and the possibility of escalating violence between NUM and Amcu.

Then there is the problem with leadership, or rather, the lack thereof, which results in almost every government department being corrupt and practising large-scale theft.

The behaviour of ministers in the government repels any serious investment. I'm afraid Gordhan might be dreaming. - Nathan Cheiman, Northcliff

PRESIDENT Jacob Zuma addressed a hastily called press conference to play down the labour unrest. All that did was send the rand tumbling through the psychological barrier of R10 to the dollar.

That effectively means we are worse off after his speech.

It would have been better for Zuma to call a press conference and sing Umshini wami.

It is true you miss something when it is no longer there. How I miss former president Thabo Mbeki. - Zakes Nakedi, Ennerdale