Nominee for the position of ANC treasurer-general Paul Mashatile sayseconomic policy, nationalisation of mines, and land expropriation will be key subjects discussed at day two of the party’s national conference. Following the nominations process earlier today, the conference is expected to discussthe organisation’s strategy and policy.
“What is important is we want the state to intervene in the economy, more radically than before, so we can solve the problems of poverty and inequality.”
He add: “We need state intervention so we don’t leave it to the markets. The state has a role to play to redistribute wealth to deracialise the economy.”
“What this conference needs to do is create more certainty about economic policy. We can’t have perpetual debate beyond Mangaung because then you don’t have a stable environment.”Cosatu will raise debates on fiscal and monetary policy, which Mashatile says the ANC will entertain since they are reviewing macro-economic policy. He stresses the urgency of a stable economic future.
“What this conference needs to do is create more certainty about economic policy. We can’t have perpetual debate beyond Mangaung because then you don’t have a stable environment. Therefore economic policy is key.”
Although the ANC Youth League is arguing for land expropriation, Mashatile says that approach is not supported. “But there may be strong support to increase the pace of land redistribution.”
This due to 2013 marking 100 years since the Native Land Act was passed, a law which decreed that only a small portion of land could be owned by Blacks.
– By Bibi-Aisha Wadvalla
