Business is looking for a clear commitment from President Cyril Ramaphosa for government collaboration with the private sector in addressing the crises facing the country, in his state of the nation address (Sona) on Thursday evening.
Business is already working with the government on three fronts to address the crises in energy supply, freight logistics and crime and corruption, and Business Unity SA (Busa) wants Ramaphosa to acknowledge this partnership. Prominent business leaders have been involved in that effort.
In a statement, Busa CEO Cas Coovadia said business expected Ramaphosa to commit the government “to open up space for greater participation by the private sector in building, operating, and maintaining critical logistics networks and to generate energy.
“There is some progress in this, particularly in energy and also in logistics, with the recent announcement that Transnet Freight Rail is taking delivery of seven sets of batteries procured by Richards Bay Coal Terminal. This is an example of partnerships between business and government working,” Coovadia said.
Also expected is a clear commitment that critical pieces of legislation, such as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Amendment Bill — which will establish the NPA’s Investigative Directorate Against Corruption on an independent footing — will be processed with speed. Coovadia said this was part of a broader commitment to consider legislation that promotes partnerships between the public and private sector to enable the private sector to assist the government to build its capacity to deliver critical priorities.
Also important, Coovadia said, was an indication that the municipal government would be prioritised and moved away “from the current shambles caused by political fighting”.
Municipal political and administrative structures must focus on service delivery and infrastructure, he said. Many municipalities were dysfunctional, financially distressed and unable to deliver basic services such as water supply and waste water treatment.
Finally, Coovadia said business expected Ramaphosa to commit the government to deal decisively with corruption, bring people to account and ensure prosecutions.
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