We need more than a new leader - we need a new kind of politics
Growth alone will not reduce inequality; forms of redistribution are vital to uplift society's lower end
South Africa's young democracy has emerged intact, albeit severely battered, from Jacob Zuma's tempestuous era. President Cyril Ramaphosa is at the helm, and has to chart a strategic course that is beneficial to all.
We have survived a multifaceted political and socioeconomic crisis in which trust has eroded between much of the citizenry, the political elite and the now departed president. Our society is ravaged by extreme levels of inequality, with the gap having increased exponentially in the post-apartheid era, resulting in a fractured, polarised populace.
Ramaphosa has to develop an innovative strategic agenda that addresses both this trust deficit and the inequality challenge. This has to involve a focus on growth, attracting investment and rebuilding the economy, while addressing the fundamental challenge of inequality, coupled with poverty and unemployment. We need a pioneering plan that creates an environment conducive to growth and enables inclusive development, thereby strengthening the foundations of democracy...
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