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By NOMFANELO MAZIYA | 2025-01-20
AS Cabinet today starts its retreat, economist Sanele Sibiya has called for a renewed focus on critical national issues, urging them to "get their business together" in a bid to advance the country’s future.
Concerns are mounting that internal divisions within the government are hindering progress and according to Sibiya, this is impacting key sectors like healthcare and education.
He said observers noted the presence of two distinct agendas within the Cabinet, leading to internal friction and a lack of cohesive decision-making.
"Ultimately, little meaningful progress will be achieved with the current state of internal conflict. This likely explains the persistent challenges in our healthcare system and the deteriorating state of our education system.
When those at the highest levels of government are engaged in internal struggles, there is simply no time or energy to address the critical needs of the nation," he said.
Sibiya therefore urged Cabinet to utilise the retreat as an opportunity to mend internal divisions, prioritise national interests, and develop a unified approach to addressing the nation's most pressing challenges.
He emphasised that the well-being of the nation depended on a cohesive and effective Cabinet that can work together to achieve shared goals.
"The current situation where one faction focuses on capital projects while another pursues its own agenda creates significant dysfunction. To address this, all Cabinet members must either fully support the prime minister's vision and agenda or clearly articulate their own alternative strategies for the nation's progress," advised Sibiya.
Highlighting several critical issues that require immediate attention, Sibiya emphasised the urgent need for decisive action on healthcare, corruption, education, unemployment, and public debt.
Sibiya expressed deep concern over the protracted healthcare crisis, saying, “It has dragged on for far too long with no discernible outcome.
We must recognise that this is not merely a health issue, but one with significant implications for the economy and overall well-being of the nation.”
He called for a robust crackdown on corruption, urging parliamentarians to enact strong anti-corruption laws with real teeth.
“Corruption is rampant in the country, and the current measures are clearly insufficient. We need laws that hold public officials accountable for their actions and deter future wrongdoing,” he said.
The economist also highlighted the critical state of the country's education system.
"The skills report consistently points to serious deficiencies in our educational approach. We need to urgently address the skills gap and ensure our education system produces graduates equipped for the demands of the modern economy,” he said.
Sibiya emphasised the urgent need to create jobs as well as the need for rigorous scrutiny of government budgets.
He stated that each minister, when presented with their budget allocation, must clearly articulate how they will actively contribute to job creation through the utilisation of those funds.'"
While economic growth figures may appear positive, they do not accurately reflect the reality of widespread unemployment.
“The truth is our economy has not yet started creating jobs. Our people need jobs,” he said. Sibiya expressed serious concern over the escalating public debt, which has reached 40.4 per cent of GDP.
“Parliament must play a more active role in overseeing public finances and ensuring that public debt is managed responsibly,” he stated.
The economist further highlighted cost overruns on public projects saying these m “are unacceptable and must be addressed through improved project management and accountability.”
To mitigate cost overruns and ensure timely project completion within budgetary constraints, he recommended the implementation of dedicated project accountants..
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