Chairperson, I would like to thank the hon Mr Mabasa for calling for this debate, one that is sorely needed to save our country from the dire pitfalls of extreme poverty and the plagues that go with this scourge. In my private discussion with the hon Mr Mabasa regarding the problems we face as Africans, as a collection of peoples and as individuals, I have discovered that we might differ on methodology and process, but not necessarily on the outcome for the peoples of this country.
We all want a better life through the destruction of poverty and the upliftment of the poverty-stricken. We are in agreement that in endeavouring to solve these problems, we must not also create new victims that are dragged into poverty based on race only. Sometimes I think that the hon Mr Mabasa and his ANC colleagues on the Trade and Industry Committee are coming round to thinking like the FF Plus. Even the hon Sue van der Merwe of the ANC is starting to agree with me. So, I think it will soon start snowing!
Hierdie debat plaas die klem op koperasies en klein besighede as die krag agter ekonomiese ontwikkeling en werkskepping. Dit is presies wat nodig is om ons sosiaal-ekonomiese problematiek aan te pak. Dit is 'n feit dat klein besighede die grootste werkskeppers in ons ekonomie is. Net 2% van alle firmas kan as groot beskou word. Hulle het dus 'n baie kleiner aandeel tot werkskepping, alhoewel nie onbelangrik nie, want die kleiner firmas maak op hulle beurt weer ekonomiese konneksies met die groot firmas. (Translation of Afrikaans paragraph follows.)
[This debate emphasises co-operatives and small enterprises as the force behind economic development and job creation. This is precisely what is required to tackle our socio-economic problems. It is a fact that small enterprises are the biggest job creators in our economy. Only 2% of all enterprises can be regarded as big. Consequently they make a much smaller contribution to job creation, although not an insignificant one, since the smaller enterprises in turn have economic connections with the bigger enterprises.]
Thus, the focus on the small enterprises and co-operatives is correct, and ample support must be provided for them to flourish as instruments against poverty.
However, with regard to the macroeconomic environment, there is one major problem that keeps the economy from booming. That is the belief that one must keep whites out of the economic system so that it can be accessible by the black majority. Interventions like affirmative action and black economic empowerment that only enrich a few connected individuals do not grow the economy, and leave the black majority fighting amongst each other for a diminishing number of positions.
This is basically a race to the bottom. No scientific study exists that these measures have grown the economy in an accelerated form, as is needed for poverty reduction, and that these measures have not created new victims. The facts actually show the reverse. Only a few blacks benefit from these measures and hundreds of thousands of new victims have been created, mostly white, coloured and Indian. It sends a message that there is no place for minorities in South Africa. It is therefore of the utmost importance to address this issue, as no amount of support for co-operatives and micro enterprises will help if the economy is not inclusive and white expertise is not allowed to act as mentorship for up-and-coming entrepreneurs.
Die regering moet homself afvra hoe hy verder markingrypings soos regstellende aksie en swart ekonomiese bemagtiging teen die agtergrond van groeiende blanke armoede kan regverdig. [The government needs to ask itself how it can justify further market interventions such as affirmative action and black economic empowerment against the background of increasing poverty amongst whites.]
The effect of keeping these laws of discrimination alive is that they will, over time, become a permanent feature. No one will have the political will to eradicate them, permanently relegating minorities to second-class citizenship. The effect thereof will be that a growing number of minorities will start rising up against this system, which will lead to unrest and social cohesion.
Daarom is dit belangrik dat, indien ons die probleme van die land wil aanpak, almal aan die einde van die dag tuis moet voel en dat ons 'n inklusiewe ekonomie sal kweek. [That is why it is important that, if we wish to address the country's problems, at the end of the day everyone should feel at home and lack of that we will cultivate an inclusive economy.]
Thank you.