{"id":78309,"date":"2016-09-19T02:47:38","date_gmt":"2016-09-19T00:47:38","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/south-africas-dysfunctional-cabinet-is-a-far-cry-from-mandelas-era-the-conversation\/"},"modified":"2016-09-19T02:47:38","modified_gmt":"2016-09-19T00:47:38","slug":"south-africas-dysfunctional-cabinet-is-a-far-cry-from-mandelas-era-the-conversation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.myza.co.za\/press\/south-africas-dysfunctional-cabinet-is-a-far-cry-from-mandelas-era-the-conversation\/","title":{"rendered":"South Africa’s dysfunctional cabinet is a far cry from Mandela’s era | The Conversation"},"content":{"rendered":"

South Africa’s dysfunctional cabinet is a far cry from Mandela’s era<\/a>: <\/p>\n

South African President Nelson Mandela forged a powerful cabinet of national unity.<\/span> Reuters<\/span><\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

South Africa\u2019s cabinet has become dysfunctional. This highest executive body charged with managing the state\u2019s daily affairs has 35 members.<\/p>\n

The cabinet is responsible for, among other things:<\/p>\n

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\u2026 developing and implementing national policy [and] coordinating the functions of state departments and administration.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

But judging from recent events it is failing dismally at its task. There is mounting evidence that cabinet\u2019s co-ordination and decision-making capacity has collapsed.<\/p>\n

It hasn\u2019t always been this way. Recent history reveals just how important co-ordinated cabinet decision making can be. In 1994 President Nelson Mandela created a \u201cpower-sharing\u201d cabinet. It was made up of ministers from the African National Congress as well as the party\u2019s erstwhile enemies \u2013 the National Party and Inkatha Freedom Party. Mandela forged a powerful and effective decision-making body.<\/p>\n

A functioning, stable cabinet is an important ingredient for building prosperity. This is particularly true in a developing democracy like South Africa. The executive cabinet is uniquely empowered to improve the quality of ordinary people\u2019s lives.<\/p>\n

A strong cabinet provides the direction and political impetus for schools to be run effectively, houses to be built and corruption to be minimised. And, as illustrated by Kenya, it can help restore order in the midst of instability.<\/p>\n

But a disjointed cabinet beset by infighting, as infamously seen in countries like Nepal, undermines the state\u2019s ability to effectively implement development policies.<\/p>\n

Contradictory statements<\/h2>\n

The recent statement by Mineral Resources Minister Mosebenzi Zwane provides the most glaring evidence of a meltdown in the executive. Zwane claimed that cabinet had resolved to establish a judicial inquiry into the country\u2019s banking sector.<\/p>\n

This came after South Africa\u2019s four largest banks cut ties with companies linked to the controversial Gupta family. The family is at the centre of state capture allegations.<\/p>\n

Zwane was immediately contradicted by the presidency. It released a statement which said Zwane:<\/p>\n

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\u2026 does not speak on behalf of cabinet and the contents of his statement do not reflect the position or views of cabinet.<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

A defiant Zwane, who has previously been linked to the Guptas, refused to answer questions about the matter in parliament.<\/p>\n

At the same sitting, his cabinet colleague and the finance minister, Pravin Gordhan, publicly distanced himself from the call for a judicial inquiry. Gordhan asserted that South Africa already had a strong financial regulatory framework in place.<\/p>\n

This episode inflicted further damage on dwindling investor confidence in the country.<\/p>\n

But the most concerning aspect of Zwane\u2019s conduct is the fact that it was not an isolated incident.<\/p>\n

Discord within cabinet was also evident in December last year when Zuma ill-fatedly replaced his finance minister, Nhlanhla Nene, with Des van Rooyen.<\/p>\n

The appointment sparked turmoil in the currency markets and Van Rooyen was moved to a different cabinet portfolio after just four days. He subsequently launched a public attack on his successor, Gordhan.<\/p>\n

There are other recent examples of a lack of cohesion within cabinet. These include the revelation that Water Affairs Minister Nomvula Mokonyane has defied the National Treasury by resolving to merge the country\u2019s two most powerful water boards.<\/p>\n

The scale of the infighting and conflicting messages suggest that the Zuma cabinet has undermined its ability to manage the affairs of state. It evidently lacks coherent, deliberate and evidence-based policymaking procedures. It is quite simply the most paralysed cabinet the country has had since democratisation in 1994.<\/p>\n

Thanks to Mandela\u2019s effective leadership, in addition to the tireless work of committed people like Cabinet Secretary Jakes Gerwel, a group of former adversaries were able to overcome their differences for the sake of the public interest.<\/p>\n

Despite challenges, Mandela\u2019s cabinet ultimately laid the foundation for a long-term democratic future through the adoption of the 1996 Constitution.<\/p>\n

Out of the ashes of apartheid, Mandela\u2019s cabinet also played a central role in:<\/p>\n