Inequality Is Inflicted By Government

BLACK ECONOMIC EMPOWERMENT 
A South African Dilemma 
 
WEALTH GAP 
 INEQUALITY IS INFLICTED BY GOVERNMENT
 
"Labour legislation and racial policies destroy small businesses" – Herman Mashaba
 

Dear Employer

In a recent article in the City Press, Herman Mashaba, entrepreneur and outstanding businessman, says that his remarkable "rags-to-riches" story would not have been possible if he was starting today – with no education or qualifications – as he did 30 years ago. He based this on the fact that:-

Spar would not be allowed to give me a job at R175 a month, and the alternative would be that I would not have had any job at all. But Spar did not exploit me. I exploited the opportunity to gain experience so I could find a better job.

Mr Mashaba raises very valid points, well worth the read. Here are some of the highlights of the article:

How can we address inequality when we support policies that create inequality; when you pass laws that discriminate on the basis of colour? If we make the same mistakes as they did before, then we are not going to have a different outcome.

We have become one of the worst-performing economies in the world. We will be lucky if we end up with 1% growth. Our economy is not performing because we are discriminating against other South Africans.

Our Constitution does not allow discrimination and it is against the spirit of what God wants. Giving every South African an equal opportunity is the only way forward.

We have to find ways to employ people with no skills and no education.

Mashaba says that he also believes large welfare programmes do more harm than good: 
 
Social grants destroy families by destroying the dignity of the recipient. Of course society should provide for the elderly and others who cannot support themselves, but we must take care not to create a dependency culture among people who would rather have a hand-out than find a job.

Mashaba goes on to criticise the current political leaders:

These politicians have shown themselves incapable of dealing with unemployment and inequality. The best thing they can do is get rid of the laws and regulations that get in the way of businesses and entrepreneurs. (Source: citypress)

Mashaba concludes that government must allow ordinary people to take responsibility for their own lives and opportunities.
 
NEASA agrees with the views expressed by Mr Mashaba.

Kind Regards

Gerhard Papenfus