INSTEAD of promoting politically aligned business ventures, President Jacob Zuma should inculcate in the minds of the youth the importance of genuine entrepreneurship.
His defence of tender deals of politically connected entities such as Chancellor House is really unhelpful.
South Africa needs people who will create wealth and in the process create jobs.
We don't need an a predator elite whose only business venture is to secure tenders from state entities.
If the politically connected businesses could start factories or revive the textile industry, which is almost going bust due to cheaper Chinese imports, we will all celebrate the achievements.
No doubt such ventures could contribute immensely to the national purse.
Zuma is correct that there is no law prohibiting the politically aligned from securing tenders from the state. He says there is nothing corrupt about it. True. But how many of these tenders secured by the politically aligned are clean?
That there is no law prohibiting such business ventures does not make it morally right. In fact, the SACP describes such dealings as tenderpreneurship. Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi has said that people should choose between public office and business.
As ruling party the ANC is in public office. It can't be in business with the state over which it presides.
Away with predators
INSTEAD of promoting politically aligned business ventures, President Jacob Zuma should inculcate in the minds of the youth the importance of genuine entrepreneurship.
His defence of tender deals of politically connected entities such as Chancellor House is really unhelpful.
South Africa needs people who will create wealth and in the process create jobs.
We don't need an a predator elite whose only business venture is to secure tenders from state entities.
If the politically connected businesses could start factories or revive the textile industry, which is almost going bust due to cheaper Chinese imports, we will all celebrate the achievements.
No doubt such ventures could contribute immensely to the national purse.
Zuma is correct that there is no law prohibiting the politically aligned from securing tenders from the state. He says there is nothing corrupt about it. True. But how many of these tenders secured by the politically aligned are clean?
That there is no law prohibiting such business ventures does not make it morally right. In fact, the SACP describes such dealings as tenderpreneurship. Cosatu secretary-general Zwelinzima Vavi has said that people should choose between public office and business.
As ruling party the ANC is in public office. It can't be in business with the state over which it presides.
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