Peter Bruce’s most recent column refers (“Budget’s lack of a growth pitch stumps even Mantashe”, March 13).
The idea that growth is good, or that it is needed at all, has indeed, curiously, become contested. Just this week Cape Talk show host Clarence Ford was mocking the idea that “growth solves everything”.
To be fair to the DA (an uncommon occurrence), the party has talked repeatedly about growth and why it matters. And a more circumspect finance minister Enoch Godongwana has adopted many of the DA’s talking points, so something has shifted.
However, the policymaking departments in the government of national unity are obsessed with spending. It’s a socialist drug for Soviet-era cadres.
Maybe the DA will extract some concessions in exchange for supporting the proposed VAT increase, which would be a win if it actually addresses some of the major growth-inhibiting blockages SA seems to embrace.
Devolving control of Cape Town’s port would be an easy stroke-of-a pen starting point.
Martin Neethling
Via BusinessLIVE
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