Nothing seems to work seamlessly at the country’s state-owned entities. As Transnet’s implosion worsens, so does the fear of what the future might hold for South Africa’s life-sustaining state entities, which drive our economy.
Those whom the gods wish to destroy they first make mad, is an ancient Greek saying , and it is appropriate to our times, as it was in those faraway ancient biblical years when the gods, acting through floods, as the legend would tell us, destroyed humanity and earth because of endemic corruption and misdoings.
This country is in a dark place, precariously staring down a precipice as we lose grip on our economy.
The gods are making us mad because of our own selfish ends, focused not on the best interests of others and the nation but on self-serving.
What do we do when cabinet ministers appoint boards but in the end selfishly take it upon themselves to have the last word on who becomes chief executive officer of our state-owned enterprises?
What values do we attach to these boards, rubber-stamping the whims and wishes of those who appoint them, the cabinet ministers.
Transnet CEO Portia Derby is gone. She is history. But what about the economic setbacks that went with her incompetence? The opportunity lost.
Those in power – the elite in high government echelons – turned a deaf ear to the cries of the nation, the people who are concerned about what Derby’s continued employment at Transnet did to the economy?
Under her watch things fell apart. Let us face it: she lacked the capacity to execute the mandate. And her principals knew it. The question why they kept her is now a moot point. The horse has bolted.
Just to make an important point: Transnet Freight Rail (TFR) oversees a rail infrastructure that has become almost moribund, deteriorating beyond measure – a crucial factor that undermines uninterrupted transportation of minerals to harbours for export.
But Siza Mzimela, TFR CEO, has also resigned.
Too late. The damage has been inflicted on the business. Under her watch operations took a nosedive, with underinvestment and lack of financial resources cited as a reason for the damage to our economy.
What are we to make of all of this? Obviously too many c(r)ooks spoil the broth.
The mandarins at the higher echelons must stop displacing boards and dismiss their work, which rightfully should employ the CEOs and other top executive of our parastatals.
Too often have we seen this tendency taking root.
We think it is unhelpful to remain silent about how meddling works not in the best interests of separation of powers, but against it, something that is entrenched in our jurisprudence and constitution.
Transnet is a national asset and should never be allowed to fail.
Its failure will have dire consequences for our mining industry, which in turn will have serious repercussions for job security in the mining sector, and for the entire country’s value chain.
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa.
