Big+business+throws+weight+behind+Mbeki,+Linda+Ensor,+Business+Day

Business Day, Johannesburg, 31 May 2006
=Big business throws weight behind Mbeki=


 * Linda Ensor, Political Correspondent**

CAPE TOWN — Top South African business leaders gave President Thabo Mbeki a vote of confidence yesterday, saying SA had a strong and robust democracy that was not under threat, despite claims by the Congress of South African Trade Unions.

The leaders of big business expressed their views after a meeting yesterday with Mbeki and key cabinet ministers at Mbeki’s Tuynhuys offices. They rejected claims that an “imperial” presidency was threatening democracy.

The united voice of business might have been intended to calm the heated political tensions in the ruling African National Congress (ANC) caused by the presidential succession battle.

Leaders of big business present at the meeting included AngloGold Ashanti CE Bobby Godsell, Standard Bank deputy chairman Saki Macozoma, Nedbank chairman Reuel Khoza, Implats CEO Keith Rumble, Dorbyl’s Derick Cooper, businessman Lazarus Zim, Transnet CEO Maria Ramos, Rembrandt chairman Johann Rupert and African Rainbow Minerals executive chairman Patrice Motsepe.

Trade and Industry Minister Mandisi Mpahlwa said the key message of the business leaders was that SA’s democracy was secure. “South Africans have no need to panic that we are about to see a big catastrophe that will implode our democracy,” he said at a media briefing.

“SA is a strong democracy which is not under threat in any way in the current period. Where there is a lot of debate and difference, this means the democracy is strong.”

The business delegation was represented at the media briefing by Macozoma, who is also a member of the ANC’s national executive committee, which met at the weekend to discuss the ruling alliance’s fractious state.

Macozoma said the intense succession debate was an indication of a robust democracy.

“There is no crisis,” he said, warning that the constant repetition that there was one could prove to be a “self-fulfilling prophecy”.

He said that there was no need to panic and accelerate the process of deciding on Mbeki’s successor ahead of the conference of the ANC in December next year.

The normal political processes for the election of the next president had to take their course, he said.

“It must happen in its normal time frame,” he said.

Taking short cuts to address perceived calamities would be wrong as such adjustments would suggest to outsiders that the country had no confidence in its political processes and the ability of people to make a considered choice on the basis of their own interests.

Macozoma said there was no evidence that the robust debate about the future president was scaring off investors.

Ramos noted that at the time Mbeki succeeded Nelson Mandela many questions were also raised. It was normal. Democracy gave people a voice to express their views on the next president and they were using that voice.

The meeting discussed the skills shortage, and resolved that there should be closer collaboration between business and government in fighting crime.

Environmental Affairs and Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk briefed the business leaders about the pending changes to simplify and expedite environmental impact assessments.

The government team also included Minister in the Presidency Essop Pahad and Finance Minister Trevor Manuel.


 * From: http://www.businessday.co.za/articles/topstories.aspx?ID=BD4A208477**

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