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Incompetency in the provinces

The current debate on reducing the number of provinces from nine to four or five has arisen mainly because the ANC is experiencing a fundamental problem - it lacks capable political leaders in the provinces where poor administration and corruption are rife.

The current debate on reducing the number of provinces from nine to four or five has arisen mainly because the ANC is experiencing a fundamental problem - it lacks capable political leaders in the provinces where poor administration and corruption are rife.

This is aggravated by the practice of appointing administrative officials, from the highest grade to the lowest, on the basis of political affiliation rather than on their ability and experience.

While some of their "comrades" are undoubtedly capable, there is a definite high level of incompetency at many levels of government, especially at local government level. There is also incompetency at national and provincial level. I do not wish to point fingers. The ANC is well aware of where the problems are experienced.

There is no doubt what so ever that the principle of having nine provinces is justified, given the size and diversity of South Africa.

The solution to the problem does not lie in reducing the number of provinces, but rather in ensuring that capable, efficient and incorruptible officials are appointed and that the ANC delegate capable political leaders in those provinces where they have majority political support.

Valentin Volker

Pietermaritzburg

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