Pres. Cyril Ramaphosa’s announcement that Cabinet is drafting a bill which will compel all government departments to procure 40% of their goods and services from women-owned businesses is just another ANC election gimmick in the run-up to the 2024 elections.
Such legislation is impractical, non-viable and creates expectations which cannot be met.
Ramaphosa made the announcement after the FF Plus pointed out yesterday during a session of the National Council of Provinces (NCOP) that the existing so-called empowerment legislation already makes ample provision for, among other things, steps to promote women in the economy and workplace.
The FF Plus stated that after 29 years of ANC rule and Affirmative Action policies, it is surely time to move forward to a dispensation where all citizens enjoy equal rights, as stipulated in the Constitution.
This cynical attempt by the ANC to compel government departments to implement its latest social engineering project will hamper government’s service delivery even further.
All this in a public service which is already plagued by the consequences of unbridled Affirmative Action and cadre deployment. South Africa simply cannot afford it.
It is a disgrace that the ANC government continues to blatantly exploit the machinery of government and its processes for party-political benefit to the detriment of the country.
South Africa deserves better than the ANC.