The latest Oxfam inequality report should shock our movement and its government into action
17 January 2017
The recent Oxfam’s inequality report that shows that the rich are getting richer , while the poor are getting poorer has not surprised COSATU , but we hope that it will shock the ANC and its government into action. The revelation that the wealth of three men in South Africa is greater than the wealth of the bottom 50% of the country combined is a tragedy of epic proportions. This should jolt the movement into implementing its progressive policies that are based and rooted on the Freedom Charter’s call that the people shall share in South Africa’s wealth.
It is now obvious that the ANC will not be able to build an equitable society in which there is decent work for all through neoliberal policies. The federation would like to see some bold and decisive leadership in accelerating shared economic growth and in transforming the structures of production and ownership by the ANC led government.
This should start with macroeconomic policies that support growth, job creation and poverty eradication on a sustainable basis. We also need to expedite the process of Land reform and while we have been encouraged by the voices within the movement calling for expropriation of land to take place, we need to see some action in making that plan a reality.
The movement should remain true to its promise and pledge of a state that will play a central and strategic role, by directly investing in underdeveloped areas and directing and incentivising private sector investment, including through the effective deployment of state owned enterprises.