Current Edition >> Archives Section >> Editorial Comment >> 15-31 July 2005

Editorial Comment

Land in SA
Ever since mankind came into existence, land has been an issue, because man needs land to exist and to progress and this is still the very same in South Africa today.
However, in the modern world and in specifically countries with a free enterprise economy and democratic government system, land is a commodity being basically determined by the highest bidder and the best productive ownership. This has also been the case in South Africa - land belongs to those who in a free market can afford it and who can till it productively. On this basis South Africa is today the only country on the African continent which is a nett exporter of food.
Therefore in the current, sometimes hysterical, debate on agricultural land reform and land restitution cool heads and common sense need to prevail. In this respect, two golden guidelines is (a) free market exchange, i.e. willing seller - willing buyer and (b) productivity, i.e. viable food production.
In the light of this it is our clear perception that the dropping by the Government of the willing seller - willing buyer principle and substituting it with expropriation is fundamentally wrong. In no real developing economy in the world has it worked and it won't be a success in SA either, ever. Secondly, check the productivity record of beneficiaries under this artificial land reform and restitution - thus far practically in SA it is dismal.
On the land issue currently in SA a dangerous game is being played.

Hersien arbeidswetgewing
Die huidige arbeidswetgewing van Suid-Afrika is versmorend van entrepreneursinitiatief, die kleinsakesektor en ekonomiese vooruitgang. Dit is fundamenteel eensydig anti-werkgewer. Die bepalings oor o.m. indiensneming, ontslag, geskil in die werkplek, ens. is onbuigsaam - om nie eens te praat van die verwoestende gevolge van statutêre raskwotas nie.
Dus moet die huidige beweging om die arbeidswetgewing te hersien en meer soepel en ook werkgewer-akkomoderend te maak, ten volle ondersteun word. Hoewel die vakbonde magtig is, moet 'n plan gemaak word, maar die ekonomie - en vooruitgang - moet uit 'n knellende greep bevry word.

Local government elections
The local government elections of 1 March 2006 are of crucial importance to the future of SA and also of the Free State. Bar some exceptions, local government in SA and the Free State the past five years was just about a disaster. Extremely poor service delivery at grassroots level to those needing it most in terms of water supply, sanitations and housing, failure to maintain municipal infrastructure in terms of streets, sanitations, etc. and ineffective dealing with littering, speak for itself. The worst part of it, however, is often grossly overpaid officials and councillors, a grave shortage of skills and capacities at municipal level and rather widespread corruption. This is also a key reason why local economic development (LED) at most Free State towns is non-existent. The local government elections of 1 March 2006 : Will it usher in a new era of hope or will it bring in a new band of marauders?