With just over two weeks left in 2021, one must take a deep breath if you want to look back on the year that was and sometimes you need to look again to make sure what you experienced was real.
For TLU SA, the ANC’s policy environment stands head and shoulders above all matters of the past year. It has an impact on all aspects of South African society and the environment.
The ANC policy environment covers, among other things, minimum wages, EWC, BEE, cadre deployment, etc.
“Our country is already in junk status due to all the uncertainty, due to the ANC’s policy environment. A large part of our reality is linked to the policy environment – an unrealistic one – which does not inspire confidence,” said Mr Bennie van Zyl, TLU SA General Manager.
A quick flashback at the state of the nation address in February this year. Four focal points were identified: overcoming the pandemic; acceleration of economic growth; implementation of economic reform for job creation and encouragement of inclusive economic growth; fight against corruption and strengthening the state.
Today’s reality regarding economic growth and job creation is a bleak picture. The unemployment rate according to the definition of people who can still work but are no longer looking for work – currently stands at a staggering 44.4%. Economic growth is nowhere near where it should be.
“The ANC policy environment holds South African entrepreneurs back and prevents them from becoming fully involved in the economy of our country. The government can therefore not announce growth,” said Mr Van Zyl.
President Cyril Ramaphosa said in his State of the Nation Address: “The government is committed to growing our economy and creating jobs. However, the private sector has a responsibility to stimulate job creation through both its policies and direct job creation opportunities.”
Mr. Van Zyl’s responded: “The private sector can only stimulate economic growth if it is allowed to do so firstly in a safe environment, where crime is combated. And then in a policy environment where the private sector would like to be actively involved. However, the government fails with regards to both. The government asks for one thing, but then does exactly what the opposite is going to bring. Given what the ANC government is putting on the table, the private sector will not become actively involved.”
As far as the fight against corruption is concerned, there is progress with the Zondo Commission which is due to submit its report to the President in early January 2022.
“What will the Zondo Commission’s report bring to the table? It will have to properly clean house otherwise it will lose all credibility. We remain concerned about corruption though.”
For TLU SA, Expropriation without Compensation was high on the agenda. The proposed amendment to Article 25 of South Africa’s Constitution with regards to the expropriation of property without compensation was not voted in earlier in the month. Although it was a good result, it is not the end of EWC. The process is certainly not over.
“There are those who are determined to carry it out in some way or another. We as TLU SA are grateful to everyone who voted against it, but we cannot sit back now and forget about the matter.”
The expropriation law is also still in process, and this requires only an absolute majority. There will be attempts to implement it again. So, the red lights of danger are still flickering.
“We also took note of the Agricultural Master Plan. TLU SA is concerned about the ignorance regarding the ANC’s transformation agenda where it is trying to transform the entire economic system from private property rights and a market-oriented economy to a centralised socialism and communism. Within the ANC’s transformation agenda, he packs various aspects such as EWC, BEE, equal employment, land expropriation, affirmative action and the one that worries me the most, the school curriculum. There are good points in the master plan, but it is subject to the ANC’s transformation agenda. South Africa must realise that we must oppose the transformation agenda of the ANC.”
Another reality for South Africans is that the country is on the verge of the fourth wave of the Covid-19 pandemic. The year started with the second wave, and this was followed by a third which for many was the final straw that broke the camel’s back.
“Regulatory measures and restrictions have hurt our economy. For some, sources of income have dried up, but new currents also emerged. We are currently facing a restructured economic process. The fact of the matter is we still must look to open the economy as far and wide as possible and from this capacity we create economic activities. There is no doubt that Covid-19 is a very serious matter, but our economy can no longer suffer. We are asking for a better balance in handling Covid-19,” said Mr Van Zyl.
For TLU SA as an organisation, events like the successful Northern Cape tour, KwaZulu-Natal’s recognition of police officers and East Region’s shooting day – to name just a few – were significant happenings of the year.
“These are important events where our people come together and talk about various aspects but also agricultural issues. This is what binds our people. And this is extremely important. It’s good to see what we can do if we work together. We are increasingly going to have to stand up and stand firm for what is important to us.”
