Mashatile decries inefficiency

ARTS and Culture Minister Paul Mashatile derided the level of inefficiency in government, saying this was a major problem that must be urgently dealt with to ensure economic growth.

He said this inefficiency had little to do with a shortage of skill but was mostly associated with corruption.

"We must root out corruption fearlessly and can't just look in the other direction when people steal."

Mashatile blamed the private sector for their role, saying they offered bribes to government officials.

He was speaking at a panel discussion hosted by the Black Management Forum on how government and business leadership can do things differently to grow the economy and address inequality.

Mashatile told the audience, consisting mostly of business people, that nationalisation of the mines was inevitable as the ANC's position will not change at the conference in Mangaung , where the party will adopt policies and elect its leaders.

"Much more state intervention is needed in the country. Yes, that will include nationalisation. We don't think nationalisation as a method should be rejected in principle - it's about how we do it," Mashatile said.

He said the state should not be pushed away from the economy and must not be told it had no role. He charged that "massive" profits were being taken out of the country, exacerbating the conditions of the country's many poor people.

Mashatile said government's plan to transform the economy must benefit the mostly unemployed youth and not a small elite.

He questioned the private sector's scepticism in investing in the country, highlighting a need to work with the government to accelerate an enabling environment for growth.

Mashatile urged business to play a role in uplifting the country through investments in government's infrastructure plan.