Canaan Mdletshe
Canaan Mdletshe
Poverty will be the major threat to South Africa's democracy in future if government and business do not work together, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for finance and economic development Zweli Mkhize warned.
Addressing businessmen in Durban yesterday during the Business Professional Management Review Achievers Awards, Mkhize said poverty was the "major threat to the country".
Mkhize received the coveted Diamond Award for his contribution to business.
"Nothing will threaten our democracy like poverty. You can go to bed knowing that you won't wake up to find your country in flames, like it happens in other African states.
"One thing poses a major threat to South Africa's democracy and peace - and that is poverty.
Mkhize said the trend will continue if business people and the government did not work hand-in-hand.
"We need to invest in small businesses. We need to reduce the number of illiterate people so that we can improve our economy. We need to invest more in education because that is the only means of fighting poverty, otherwise we will fail our people," Mkhize said.
He assured business people that the current government was stable as policies would not be changed. He also said there would not be a full-scale change of premiers, as some analysts have predicted.
Mkhize also urged civil society to hold civil servants accountable.
"You have to hold them (civil servants) accountable so that you can access the necessary services.
"Remember that by voting you are not only putting them in high positions, but you are putting them there to render services. If they fail to do that, you must hold them accountable," Mkhize said.
Poverty 'main threat to SA'
Canaan Mdletshe
Canaan Mdletshe
Poverty will be the major threat to South Africa's democracy in future if government and business do not work together, KwaZulu-Natal MEC for finance and economic development Zweli Mkhize warned.
Addressing businessmen in Durban yesterday during the Business Professional Management Review Achievers Awards, Mkhize said poverty was the "major threat to the country".
Mkhize received the coveted Diamond Award for his contribution to business.
"Nothing will threaten our democracy like poverty. You can go to bed knowing that you won't wake up to find your country in flames, like it happens in other African states.
"One thing poses a major threat to South Africa's democracy and peace - and that is poverty.
Mkhize said the trend will continue if business people and the government did not work hand-in-hand.
"We need to invest in small businesses. We need to reduce the number of illiterate people so that we can improve our economy. We need to invest more in education because that is the only means of fighting poverty, otherwise we will fail our people," Mkhize said.
He assured business people that the current government was stable as policies would not be changed. He also said there would not be a full-scale change of premiers, as some analysts have predicted.
Mkhize also urged civil society to hold civil servants accountable.
"You have to hold them (civil servants) accountable so that you can access the necessary services.
"Remember that by voting you are not only putting them in high positions, but you are putting them there to render services. If they fail to do that, you must hold them accountable," Mkhize said.
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