CHAIRMAN of Shell South Africa, Bonang Mohale has criticised government leaders for lacking a clear strategy for business.

"During President Nelson Mandela's era we knew that it was a period for reconciliation and during Thabo Mbeki's era it was a period of economic development," said Mohale.

Mohale was speaking at a Black Management Forum panel discussion at the Wanderers Club in Johannesburg.

"However, if you ask what are the current business priorities of South African Inc, I would say I do not know," he said, as the audience burst into laughter.

"There is high general and youth unemployment rate and every big project that the country rolls out, you find that there's over-expenditure and it's never delivered on time," Mohale said.

Arts and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile lashed out at the private sector, saying its leaders were quick to condemn government officials for tender corruption, while the business leaders were the ones responsible for paying out bribes.

Mashatile's comments were echoed by Edward Kieswetter, the chief executive of Alexander Forbes.

"It is easy to point fingers at government and allege corruption," Kieswetter said. "But the question is: Who writes out the cheques? It is those who are in business."

He said the country should focus more on delivery instead of ideological debates.