Zuma, business talking the same language

By Boyd Webb, www.iol.co.za

The captains of South African industry and ANC President Jacob Zuma are in agreement that they are singing from the same hymn sheet.

Addressing 55 of the country's most influential business leaders at the Johannesburg Country Club on Wednesday night, Zuma assured the private sector that the government, the politics and the country were stable.

"I assured the private sector that in terms of the political landscape of the country, nobody should worry," he told reporters after his keynote address to the Johannesburg Chamber of Commerce and Industry (JCCI).

But in the same breath Zuma emphatically denied that this meant he would be abandoning his loyalties to labour.

He said his economic policies were driven by the ANC's resolutions agreed upon at the national conference.

Zuma came under fire from Cosatu leader Zwelinzima Vavi last week after the ANC president reportedly suggested a debate on labour market reforms.

But while Zuma reiterated on Wednesday night that his words had been taken out of context, he argued for a need to debate the subject within the context of the two economies.

"I was talking about the poorest of the poor - who are basically workers, who are basically rural, unskilled and the level of competition and the regulation is too high.

"My question is, what do we do with those people? And I am saying let's talk about it."

Zuma strongly denied suggesting that the two economies required separate regulations.

JCCI president Mark Nowitz said Zuma's visit had put hearts and minds at rest.

"It's clear we are talking the same language," he said.

Zuma had to work his magic last night on the CEOs of some of the country's biggest money-spinners.

These included Nedbank's Tom Boardman, Goldfields' Ian Cockerill, Sappi's Ralph Boettger, Mvelapanda Resources' Lazarus Zim and Yunus Suleman of KPMG South Africa.

Nowitz said Zuma had responded positively to concerns about crime, the energy crises and skills shortages that were plaguing the country.

"What is refreshing in terms of tonight's debate is the ANC president's willingness to engage, to listen, to debate and to proceed in terms of the common good," he said.

Aurelio Grech-Cumbo of the JCCI's industrial council said the South African business community was split down the middle over what to expect from Zuma.

He said Zuma's greatest challenge was to overcome his negative public image.

"He still has to show his true colours and that is what the business community is waiting for," he said.

It's understood that the South African business community largely agreed with Zuma on many issues, including the need for the urgent development of skills and the creation of employment.

It also recognised the need to develop and maintain a good relationship with labour and the government.

"If we find good solutions (to challenges facing the country) that will accommodate labour and business, then that is the way to go forward," Grech-Cumbo said.