Johannesburg - The ANC has welcomed the $2bn (about R16.4bn) loan by the South African government to the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) to prevent a global crisis threatening the world
economy.
"We believe that South Africa, as a member of both the
United Nations and the G20, has an obligation to join hands with the
rest of the world in averting a repeat of the last global economic
meltdown," ANC spokesperson Jackson Mthembu said in a statement on
Wednesday.
"Our contribution, together with the rest of the
world's countries, will enable the IMF to intervene decisively, using
the crisis fund that has been established, to the imminent threat to the
world economy."
Earlier, the presidency said the commitment to the IMF firewall was not a gift, but a sound financial investment.
"If the IMF uses the funds, the money is lent to the
IMF and not a gift... (and) for all of this time the money will be
earning interest for South Africa," President Jacob Zuma's spokesman Mac
Maharaj said.
"The capital of the loan will ultimately be repaid to
South Africa. It's like lending money to a very strong bank. This is not
a risky loan."
Zuma committed some of South Africa's reserves at the
G20 summit, a meeting of the world's greatest economies, in Los Cabos,
Mexico on Monday.
At least $430bn (about R3.5 trillion) had been set
aside to stave off the risk of another financial crisis, which would
likely lead to a sharp decrease in global growth and rising
unemployment.
IMF members could access the funds through a temporary
loan, with conditions, and the reserves were not earmarked for any
region.
While the news was welcomed by Business Unity SA as an
important step in maintaining stable economic growth, the Congress of SA
Trade Unions felt South Africa should be a beneficiary rather than a
contributor.
"The decision must be reversed and the $2bn used to
alleviate the plight of the poorest South Africans and to invest in the
restructuring of our economy," spokesperson Patrick Craven said.
Maharaj reiterated that the funds were part of foreign
reserves, and did not require an additional budgetary allocation, and
were critical in keeping the rand stable.
The wealth of a country was not necessarily an indicator for how much should be set aside for the IMF, he said.
China had a lower per capita income than South African and yet, had set aside $43bn (about R352bn).
India was "considerably poorer" and was allocating $10bn (about R82bn).
"Like China and India, South Africa is a responsible
global citizen. We are in the G20 to support global stabilisation and
growth. We need to continue to do our duty," said Maharaj.
The Federation of Unions of SA said it supported the
government's commitment to play a more progressive and responsible role
within the IMF.
It said the money would counter financial market
tensions and fiscal imbalances, which had a major impact on growth,
employment creation and confidence.
"We are of the firm view that as long as the global
economy remains vulnerable, there would be a negative impact on the
lives of people across the world," general secretary Dennis George said
in a statement.
"The issues of economic growth, employment creation,
development and confidence are interconnected and inseparable and must
be tackled holistically."
George said leadership of this nature was required in a time of crisis to deal with economic uncertainty.
"We are supportive of the explanation of President Zuma
that resources will be made available for the whole membership of the
IMF and not earmarked for any particular region."