IN THE light of the global economic downturn, massive job losses and escalating poverty, it is only prudent that the government endeavours to recover its ownership of strategic sectors.

IN THE light of the global economic downturn, massive job losses and escalating poverty, it is only prudent that the government endeavours to recover its ownership of strategic sectors.

Complete control over or private ownership of key financial institutions, minerals and energy sectors should be undone.

The government should strive for public ownership as well as control of these industries and make it known that the search for private profit in these industries conflicts with society's basic needs.

But it should be cautiously noted that it is obvious that nationalisation would be a serious threat to some sectors of society, particularly the capitalists, and this has happened everywhere in the world.

So the process will not go unchallenged. The motive is clear: to safeguard and maximise profit for themselves .

If the economic crisis is to be properly dealt with within the South African context, where the economy is well maintained in a more or less stable condition of full employment, a radical measure of nationalisation is of the essence.

This will aid the country in dealing with instability and fluctuations in economic activities that are mainly caused by the wide variations of the capital expenditures in these sectors.

Nationalisation will bring about a strong political leadership and community involvement in the operation of these industries, which in the past did not happen.

In addition, corrupt activities that have allegedly characterised these industries will vanish.

Maoto Molefane, Pretoria