ZUMA AND JUDGMENT DEFICIT DISORDER

President Zuma is not blessed with good judgment. There are many examples of poor judgment underscored by reckless and irrational conduct. The recent Nene/Van Rooyen/Gordhan debacle puts to rest any question of his ability to exercise good judgment, especially as far as the economy is concerned. President Zuma is street smart and a master politician, but clearly incapable of making rational, responsible and mature decisions based on good judgment when it comes to economic and fiscal policy. It is immaterial whether Zuma did, or did not consult his close advisors when deciding to axe Nene. Assuming he did, both he and his advisors were oblivious to the fallout to the economy. It seems Zuma's advisors also suffer from the same infliction: poor judgment. There is an indisputable lesson to be learned from Zuma's actions. Decisions affecting the economic and fiscal wellbeing of the country cannot be left to Zuma and/or his close advisors, without the advice and counsel of captains of industry, academic economists. One merely has to take into account the significant role played by the private sector in forcing the ANC to demand that Zuma reverse Van Rooyen's appointment and replace him with Gordhan. With that in mind, and to prevent future chaos of a similar nature, an agency must be established within the Office of the President in line with the Council of Economic Advisers, comprising of business leaders and academics, that advises the US President on economic policy. Those who serve on the Council must not be beholden to President Zuma; neither his friend, stooge, political hack, or admirer. They serve without partisan agendas, and solely as helmsmen in restoring and maintaining the economic wellbeing of the country. This time the country avoided a 'ground zero' scenario. There must not be a next time, provided Zuma and the ANC put the country first. Another economic meltdown, characterised as a "miscalculation" by ANC spin will be catastrophic.