Nedlac Summit Highlights Policy Implementation Delays as Major Governance Crisis

The National Economic Development and Labour Council (Nedlac) has tabled an alarming report, shedding light on the pervasive governance crisis in South Africa, attributing the state of affairs to a considerable delay in policy implementation.

This insight was shared at the 28th annual Nedlac national summit, held under the theme 'Resilience in the face of adversity: Social partner’s preparedness for crises.' Here, prominent representatives from the realms of business, community, and labour took the government to task over its sluggish pace of delivery, which is noticeably stunting economic growth.

Nedlac Executive Director, Lisa Seftel, presented a report revealing that the country is confronting a composite crisis that necessitates a multifaceted response. Predicaments encompass logistical setbacks, transport inefficiencies, surging unemployment rates, persistent failures in infrastructure, frequent cholera outbreaks, escalating crime, and recent tragic incidents such as the fire in Johannesburg that claimed 77 lives.

Business Unity South Africa CEO, Cas Coovadia, emphasized that these alarming issues should not exist in a well-functioning society and questioned the effectiveness of prevailing methods of engagement. He advocated for the Nedlac platform to be employed in addressing these critical questions and ensuring relevance in the current societal context.

Meanwhile, the Nedlac community constituency convenor, Thulani Tshefuta, stated that social partners could work towards higher levels of investment and growth, expanded support for the unemployed, and a rigorous tackle on poverty.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile, in his maiden Nedlac speech, signified that ideological differences over the country's growth path were the most pressing challenge. He advocated for open discussion on the subject. Labour and Employment Minister, Thulas Nxesi, admitted that there was slower than anticipated progress in labour market reform.