ANC GOVERNMENT & STRATEGIC PLANNING - AN OXYMORON

It was the best of times for South Africa. The country was riding the crest of an unprecedented commodity wave. China's rapacious appetite for South Africa's commodities was seemingly endless. Times were good for South Africa until China's economy went into a tailspin, largely foreclosing its further need for South African commodities. China's deepening economic problems largely eliminated South Africa's free flowing revenue stream from commodity sales. Regrettably the ANC government failed to leverage the good times by not investing surplus monies in job creation through public infrastructure projects, improvements to education and diversifying the economy. Bad economic times are now upon us, underscored by a probable approaching recession, and a further downgrade of in credit rating. All the more reason for government to stimulate the economy, but the coffers are empty due to inexcusable lack of strategic planning. The country's troubled times demand a reassessment of economic priorities. There are signs the ANC government has finally understood the need to rearrange its priorities within its fiscal means. This was evident from the energy minister's comments in Davos regarding the controversial nuclear deal. Can it be the start of good governance, or simply an electioneering ploy? Time will tell, but economic circumstances being what they are, time is a scarce commodity.