Adjunkspeaker, wreldwyd, maar ook in Suid-Afrika, is daar 'n ernstige bewuswording van die groeiende kloof tussen ryk en arm. Dit is kommerwekkend dat die tussengrond stadig maar seker wegkalwe word. [Deputy Speaker, across the globe, but also in South Africa, a serious awakening to the growing divide between the rich and the poor is taking place. It is disturbing that the middle ground is slowly but surely being eroded.]
With regard to the globally emergent wealth gap, the huge salaries and bonuses earned in the private sector have over time come to symbolise an economic system that is not equitable. Therefore, since the start of the Great Recession in 2008, the revolt against inequality worldwide has been focused against the likes of Wall Street, London and the global financial system run by banks.
In South Africa the revolt extends to many other industries like the mining and transport industries. And this is only the visible revolt as there is a growing overall discontent not clearly evidenced by events such as industrial action. The outline of this is, however, visible in the emergent tax revolt sparked by the Gauteng e-tolling system.
Die probleem wat vandag aangespreek word, moet egter gelees word teen Suid- Afrika se unieke sistemiese agtergrond. Daar bestaan 'n besonderse obsessie by die regering en selfs navorsers in die artikulering van die probleem van 'n groeiende welvaartgaping, om net krities te fokus op die boonste inkomstevlak van die private industrie, veral in rasseterme. Wat vergeet word, is dat die kritieke massa van werkgeleenthede van die laer vlakke afkomstig is en dat die inklusiwiteit van die mark daar gemeet moet word. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[The problem under discussion today should, however, be seen against South Africa's unique systemic background. There is a distinctive obsession on the side of government, and even researchers, when articulating the problem of a growing prosperity gap, only to focus critically on the upper income level of private industry, particularly in racial terms. What is forgotten, is that the critical mass of employment opportunities originates from the lower levels and that this is where the inclusivity of the market should be measured.]
What is also significant is that the public sector has emulated the high salary practice of the private sector, but without the same productivity output. Witness how a failing Eskom awards bonuses to its directors. Witness how a freely spending Transnet plundered the pensions of its erstwhile workers while awarding huge salaries and bonuses to its directors. What is also just plain scary is that the public sector has completely overshot the salary scales of the private sector on virtually all of the other income levels.
Measured against the fact that the state is now the top generator of employment, that the state cannot deliver services properly, that there is a lack of drive and productivity in the Public Service and public enterprises and that corruption is now considered systemic, South Africa is on the path to being downgraded to pyramid scheme status.
The International Monetary Fund, IMF, has warned Parliament that the Public Service wage bill must be restrained as it acts as a constraint on labour absorption. Due to the uncertain market and the ANC's policy double-think, many businesses are hoarding cash that could have been used to stimulate the economy and create jobs.
So, what is to be done? Firstly, the ANC must stop acting as a labour broker for its cadres to be deployed into the Public Service and public enterprises. The ANC must ban itself from cadre labour broking in as much it wants to stimulate or ban economically viable free market ones. The state must be run by people appointed on merit only. Tweedens, nou verbonde hieraan is die gebruik van regstellende aksie as middel waardeur kader-ontplooiing plaasvind. Gegewe die feit dat die welvaartgaping nou intra-ras groei, kan veel eerder gebruik gemaak word van sosio-ekonomiese aanduiders vir benadeeldes. In essensie moet regstellende aksie weg.
Die feit is, indien ons nie baie vinnig bogenoemde veranderinge aanbring nie, sal Suid-Afrika verdere afgradering in die gesig staar en sal sosiale kohesie al hoe meer lostorring soos die nood verhoog. Dankie. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraphs follows.)
[Secondly, closely related to this is the use of affirmative action as a means whereby cadre deployment takes place. Given the fact that the prosperity gap is now developing intra-racially, socioeconomic indicators should much rather be used for the disadvantaged. In essence, affirmative action must go.
In fact, if we do not introduce the above-mentioned changes very soon, South Africa will be faced with further downgrading and social cohesion will unravel more and more as the emergency intensifies. Thank you.]