Government of National Disunity

Leaders focus on solutions, while followers worry about problems – or so the theory goes. 

The theory falls apart when leaders create problems, rather than solutions, leaving followers with a whole lot more to worry about. 

The current impasse over the budget is a case in point. At a time when leaders should be devising solutions to South Africa's many socio-economic problems, they are instead at loggerheads over the so-called Government of National Unity. 

Government of National Disunity, more like. 

True leadership involves the ability to see the bigger picture, to look beyond the distracting noise of personal agendas and power struggles. The bigger picture confronting South Africa is that there is not enough public money to pay the rising cost of service delivery and other vital state functions.  The bigger picture is also a country on the edge of a fiscal cliff, with spiraling unemployment and the potential for widespread social unrest.  

The bungling over the budget suggests a leadership out of touch with these grim realities. Rather than go the extra mile to find solutions, no matter how difficult, we find ourselves beset with yet another huge problem – a stalemate at the heart of government. Again. 

Poor decisions have negative consequences that are hard to undo.  We expect our leaders to make the best possible decisions, to effect the best possible outcome.  We do not expect policy decisions that do the opposite – introduce further obstacles to growth.  

Instead of unity of purpose around creating jobs, we see clumsy plans with the potential to stifle growth.  Instead of a clearly articulated budget designed to attract investment and instill confidence, we got a GNU own goal that rattled markets. 

One need look no further than the current global tariff crisis to appreciate how leadership decisions have immediate consequences.  Here at home our hope is that our leaders ensure they look before they leap, and make decisions that give us solutions rather than more problems.

John Lawson
CEO of the Cape Chamber of Commerce and Industry