WHILE the amount spent on cars by Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, might have created the wrong impression about government spending, it would be improper to create the impression that they spent beyond their usual allocation.

WHILE the amount spent on cars by Communications Minister Siphiwe Nyanda and Basic Education Minister Angie Motshekga, might have created the wrong impression about government spending, it would be improper to create the impression that they spent beyond their usual allocation.

We should welcome the fact that long before these purchases the government had committed itself to spending wisely in the current global financial crisis.

President Jacob Zuma addressed some of these in his State of the Nation address this year.

Outlining plans for the current financial condition in July last month, government spokesperson Themba Maseko stated that budgets on travelling and meals served at some government meetings would be cut.

Too much emphasis on individuals will not take us forward because the ministerial handbook has shown that everything was done in accordance with prescribed guidelines and no one broke the law.

It is discussions such as this that provide an opportunity to engage constructively as citizens and to build a culture of nation building.

So the focus should be on what has to happen to help the government meet its commitment to be both effective and efficient.

In his opening address in response to the debate on the State of the Nation address, Zuma referred to our progressive Constitution when he said: "It allows a multiparty constitutional democracy, which enables the government ... to benefit from the views and opinions of many political parties. This enriches the work of government."

SJ Aka-Voti, Hatfield