PARI and the Strategic Dialogue Group are holding a panel discussion next month with a compelling lineup of speakers.
The programme will enable leadership from different perspectives and stakeholders – inside the state (SOE Manager, Presidency), independent analysts, civil society/labour – to comment on the commitments made by President Cyril Ramaphosa on 20 January 2020 in respect of state-owned enterprises, and provide insights on how to give effect to these outcomes.
In the closing remarks of President Cyril Ramaphosa and in the ANC media release following the recent ANC NEC lekgotla, after significant debate and discourse both within the ANC and in the media, the lekgotla endorsed the following proposals in respect of state-owned enterprises:
- “That the commercial and developmental mandates of SOEs and SOCs should be clearly outlined and stated and reviewed where necessary;
- The institutional design which will support their developmental mandates should be examined;
- There should be greater and more effective attention to the operational efficiency and integrity of SOEs as well as ensuring that people who are fit for purpose are appointed to various positions;
- We should look to embark on a consolidation and rationalisation process of our SOEs;
- In line with the Resolutions of the 54th National Conference, we must avoid political interference in operational matters, other than interventions in the case of mismanagement and possible company failure.”
The programme will include :
- David Masondo, NEC member and Deputy Minister of Finance
- Popo Molefe, Chairperson of the Transnet Board
- Zingiswa Losi, President of COSATU
- Dipak Patel, Special Advisor to Minister of Public Enterprises
- Henk Langenhoven, Chief Economist, Minerals Council of South Africa
- Khaya Sithole, political analyst and commentator working on SOE rationalisation
This is a closed session, by invitation only.