BMF STATEMENT on the 5Th DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS HELD on 07 MAY 2014
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BMF STATEMENT ON THE 5th DEMOCRATIC ELECTIONS HELD ON 07 MAY 2014
The Black Management Forum observed with pride how South Africa’s 5th democratic elections unfolded. Miracle was the word often used to refer to our first democratic elections in 1994. Twenty years later, the consistency with which our elections are held in terms of fairness, orderliness, credibility and integrity unquestionable points to a maturing, robust and dynamic democracy. This is an occasion to be celebrated by all that love this country, it should make all us proud.
Twenty years ago, there were many sceptics and pessimists. However, our recent elections have demonstrated beyond doubt that this milestone has nothing to do with a miracle or luck, but a product of our collective determination and imagination. Our resolve to build a just, fair and equitable society has been affirmed by the high participation levels.
However; the BMF remains concerned about the low participation of the youth, especially young/ first time voters. Whichever way one looks at the numbers of young first time voters, they fall below expectations. Some statistics put the number at a third, meanwhile others say that the percentage of young first time voters who registered to vote stood at less than 15%. This means that a significant number of young people did not participate. This is worrying. The youth is the future of any society. The implications are that it is possible that without their direct participation, whatever gains that we are making are likely to be undone in the future. We hope that the government will pay attention on this issue and ensure that this is rectified by the next elections.
This notwithstanding, the South African people have spoken, and have done so in the most unambiguous fashion. We hope the new government will use this mandate to take the democratic project forward. Though we are pleased with the state of our democracy, we remain alarmed and saddened by the growing inequality in the country. The employment equity report 2012-13 and the state of ownership, management and control indicate that the economy remains undemocratic and skewed.
The economy still reflects its colonial and apartheid legacy. This is dangerous and unsustainable in the long run. We urge the government to move swiftly on economic transformation, otherwise, growing inequality has potential to destroy all that has been accomplished. This needs to be done before people become complacent and cynical. Economic transformation is one of the few things that we need to achieve to make democracy meaningful to the majority of South Africans still trapped in poverty, unemployment and landlessness.
Though the government has invested heavily on infrastructure, the message that overall emerges is contradictory. Whilst ESKOM and TRANSNET are rolling out infrastructure projects that have a long term perspective on economic growth; other important infrastructure; particularly roads are in a serious state of neglect and decay. The government should implement new and ambitious infrastructure projects, but equally budget and maintain existing infrastructure. Roads and the rail networks are a lifeblood of any economy. The same with energy. We hope that the new government will deliver infrastructure in a more systematic and concerted manner.
South African industrial relations are in a crisis, the sooner this is acknowledged; the better it is for the economy. NEDLAC was especially created to be a forum to encourage industrial relations stability in the country amongst other things. However, the current and recent industrial strikes point to a system failure in our institutional frameworks. There is an industrial stalemate. This is not good for the country. The BMF hopes that the government will use its new mandate to resolve this issue. If the status quo continues, the targets that the government has set itself in terms job creation and poverty alleviation will not be attained.
Local government is not functioning optimally, this has a direct impact on local and national economic development. Again, the problems are known. We are certain that the full implementation of the national development plan will take South Africa’s economic development to the next level. We need to move from identifying problems into addressing them.
BMF is also encouraged about pronouncements on small and medium size enterprises during the elections campaigns. The importance of SMMEs in economic growth has been part of conventional knowledge for many years. We hope that the government develops and implement policy interventions that are going to unlock the wealth and potential that resides with this important sector of the economy.