Consequently, there was some anticipation regarding the policy choices that would emerge from the recent African National Congress (ANC) 4th National Policy Conference, held from June 26 to 29. Although ANC Secretary General Gwede Mantashe claimed that there were 'robust' and 'candid' discussions, it still remains unclear where the ANC is taking the country on key policy matters such as state intervention in the economy, fixing the education system and land reform. It is also questionable whether there were indeed open and frank discussions about the current ANC leadership.
From proceedings at the policy conference it is clear that at this juncture the ANC is unable to provide the kind of inclusive and cohesive leadership urgently required to solve the country's main challenges.Scenario planning expert Clem Sunter, writing in his News24 online column of June 7, says that the most economically successful countries have had periods of 'inclusive leadership' where the head of the country has managed to bring together disparate groups to work together towards the greater good. Unfortunately, the current ANC leadership continues to fail in this regard. The issue of nationalisation, which has for some time hindered foreign and domestic investment, is an example. Political analyst Steven Friedman, writing in the Business Day of July 11, argues that the 'ANC alliance includes both left-wingers who distrust business and racial nationalists who want to shift more assets from white to black hands'. Both sides 'have an interest in restricting property rights', he says.
