Publications
Partners
Cape Town - Business Leadership SA (BLSA) has extended an invitation to all candidates for the ANC presidency to engage with the organisation ahead of the party's elective conference set to take place in December.
“If a credible election is not held in December, or if the new leadership that emerges does not move swiftly to prioritise economic recovery, eradicate state capture and restore the faith of the country in our institutions, the future for our economy and our country is bleak indeed,” BLSA CEO Bonang Mohale said in a statement issued on Thursday.
BLSA, an independent association whose members include the leaders of some of SA’s biggest and most well-known organisations, wants to discuss how it can work together for the prosperity of all South Africans. BLSA emphasised in the statement that it does not have a preference for any particular political party or candidate.
The association emphasised that a stable, peaceful and smooth ANC national conference is in the interest of economic stability and long-term prosperity of SA.
"We do have a strong interest, as do all South Africans, in the political life of our country, and the conduct of all our political parties, which has a critical bearing on the country’s political and economic prospects," said BLSA.
The association especially wants to talk to all the candidates about the importance of respecting SA's Constitution and laws.
In its statement BLSA called on the ANC to ensure the conference takes place peacefully and that leaders are elected "as promised".
"A delay in the conference would be very damaging for the economy as it would deepen uncertainty about when and how the future leadership of the ruling party would be resolved," BLSA said.
BLSA would like to see the ANC leadership prioritise inclusive economic growth and job creation above all else and commit to working with business and other sectors of society to develop an urgent economic recovery plan.
It wants to see the ANC eradicate state capture and called for an independent judicial inquiry as recommended by the previous public protector in her State of Capture Report.
The BLSA also called on the ANC to "restore the credibility of our state institutions particularly those in the criminal justice system, and to protect...Treasury and the SA Reserve Bank".
Furthermore, the association would like the ANC to address the leadership, governance and balance sheets of critical state-owned enterprises.
SUBSCRIBE FOR FREE UPDATE: Get Fin24's top morning business news and opinions in your inbox.
Read Fin24's top stories trending on Twitter: Fin24’s top stories
