"People Do Not Eat Ideology, People Are Hungry For Change" - South Africa Finance Minister Gigaba

There has often been a tendency, especially from the revolutionary parties that fought for liberation, to wallow in ideology, while offering little in terms of development. 

This was even the case with Robert Mugabe, the former president of Zimbabwe. Mugabe thrived on populist policies and ideologies, but on the ground everything was in shambles. The state of affairs in Zimbabwe deteriorated from being glorious and envious to being pathetic and causing misery for citizens. 

These are the sentiments that have been echoed by the Finance Minister of South Africa, Malusi Gigaba. As Jacob Zuma is now walking out, Gigaba has warned that the new leadership coming in must focus on real change and development. He has advised the incoming leadership to prioritise building inclusive growth in the economy through radical economic transformation.

"Our economic discourse must transcend the fear of loss or desire to maintain current privilege... Growth without transformation is unjust. But transformation without growth is similarly self-defeating," he said.

He further added, ""If I may be so bold I would like to take this opportunity to suggest to incoming leadership... the most important task for the ANC is to lead the country to achieve inclusive growth through RET as quickly as is possible."

Gigaba continued to offer various, insightful views into the issue, putting much stress and emphasis on building strategic coalitions with the business sector and turnaround investor confidence. His other rallying point is that eventually the excitement of the liberation will wear off and people will start asking questions on what the leadership has achieved.

Gigaba said apartheid denied the right to improve the living conditions of all people in SA. "What the Chinese can teach all of us...is that the people do not eat ideologies and dogma".

He remarked, "Our people are hungry for change but our people are also resilient and dynamic. All eyes are on the ANC...we dare not disappoint them...This is the moment."