Letters: Confusion or transformation?

While the presence of KZN’s Economic Development MEC, Sihle Zikhalala, at Davos was a welcome sight, it remains to be seen whether his stated objective of substantial growth for our province will be achieved.
The MEC’s op-ed piece in this weekend’s media was also encouraging, with talk of partnerships in growth and the coming World Economic Forum to be hosted in Durban early in May this year. Certainly, the MEC said all the right things in terms of “Responsible and Responsive Leadership” and the importance of engaging in the Fourth Economic Revolution.
The time has come for him to put words into action.
It was therefore alarming to see ANC President Zuma’s conflicting comments, also in the weekend press, which confirm that he has instructed ANC policy makers to introduce stringent new laws forcing financial institutions to sell stakes to black investors. This sounds like the last gasp of a wounded man!
Specific reference was made to banking institutions – just when the Guptas are aggressively using their family-owned media channels to drive their agenda and force banks to handle their accounts.
Such policy confusion spells disaster – either we have solid job creation or more theory on transformation which benefits a few. Clearly the ANC does not know its left hand from its right.
Conflicting ANC messages to investors and business will result in more jobs being shed. In the DA run Western Cape there are examples of excellent strategies aimed at attracting investment and that province continues to retain and grow jobs.
Under no circumstances can we allow KZN’s economy to be captured.

ANN MCDONNELL, MPL
Pietermaritzburg