Thuli Madonsela praises GNU, warns against appeasing investors

Bongani Bingwa interviews Thuli Madonsela, Law Trust Research Chair in Social Justice at Stellenbosch University.

Listen below.

As political parties convene to explore potential coalition partnerships for the formation of the seventh administration, it's imperative, as emphasised by Madonsela, that the ANC and other represented parties prioritise the needs of the people above all else.

This necessitates moving beyond a singular focus on investor interests in coalition negotiations. 

For South Africa's democracy to thrive, it must be inclusive and work for the benefit of all its citizens, says Madonsela.

She further notes that we should commend President Ramaphosa and the ANC Leadership for their proposition of a Government of National Unity (GNU), which proposes power sharing among all stakeholders committed to breathing life into our transformative Constitution. 

Many commentators have advocated for an ANC/DA coalition as the prime strategy to appease investors and calm market uncertainties.

However, Madonsela underscores that constructing a coalition solely on this premise is insufficient. 

"I have warned against deciding based on a single factor."

- Thuli Madonsela, Law Trust Research Chair in Social Justice – Stellenbosch University

She emphasises that for genuine economic growth to transpire, it is imperative to democratise the economy.

This involves, as she points out, the ANC's proactive efforts to empower marginalised groups, particularly Black individuals, to reclaim their roles as job creators, alongside fostering opportunities for women.

In effect, this move shifts the nation away from reliance on trickle-down economics, which primarily benefited the privileged during apartheid.

"You need to grow the economy by democratising it, by including more people into it."

- Thuli Madonsela, Law Trust Research Chair in Social Justice – Stellenbosch University

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