The best way to reduce South Africa’s unemployment, narrow this country’s inequality gap and reduce poverty is for the public service to employ people on merit. That meritocracy is non-negotiable is a point Dr Patrice Motsepe emphasised strongly at this month’s presentation of results by the African Rainbow Minerals that he founded and leads.
He is correct to highlight that those who have the track record must be given the key public-sector jobs. A behaviour pattern must be introduced which ensures that civil servants selected on merit should retain their positions regardless of which political party is in power. This is the only way this country will be able to get itself out of its decline and turn itself into a country of choice.