Criticism of government economic policy is mounting

Whether it is the IMF, BUSA, Cosatu, the Black Business Council or the World Bank doing the criticising, they all agree on certain key fault lines within our economy. The economy is dominated by big players, investment is too low, there is a rampant skills and entrepreneurial deficit, we are consumer and not producer focused, we are good at writing blueprints and plans but are hopeless at implementation, and we are still suffering the legacy of apartheid. Where there is less agreement is what to do about it.

Broadly, some say government should intervene more to stimulate growth while others say the opposite, that government must “get out of the way” and let business do what it does best, which is create wealth.

Press statement: Inquiry needed into crumbling township Industrial Parks in Gauteng

Democratic Alliance press statement by

Toby Chance MP

DA Shadow Minister of Small Business Development 

Inquiry needed into crumbling township Industrial Parks in Gauteng

11 March 2015

Release: immediate

I have today written to the Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Small Business Development, Ruth Bhengu, requesting that she summon the Minister of Economic Development, Ebrahim Patel, to appear before the Committee and account for the appalling neglect of Industrial Parks in Gauteng townships. 

These township Industrial Parks, operated and owned by the Small Enterprise Finance Agency (SEFA), are run down, lack adequate lighting, basic infrastructure, security and refuse collection, and are severely over-crowded.

Speaking at the Unity Fellowship Church, Chiawelo, Soweto

This morning Diana and I attended a service at the Unity Fellowship Church in Chiawelo, Soweto, run by the charismatic Pastor Mukhuba and her husband Dr Mukhuba. This was at the invitation of one of their congregants, Paulette Nkosi, whom I met on Monday to talk about her media business which is poised for growth and needs a helping hand.

The church is facing closure by the City of Johannesburg on grounds it's operating illegally. After sending them a letter in April 2013 informing them their permit to operate the church, issued in 2008, was summarily terminated, the City has now served them with an eviction notice which the Mukhubas are fighting in court. The Mukhubas claim this is politically motivated, due to the outspoken criticism of the ANC issued from their pulpit which is not being taken lightly by the powers that be.