THE ANC-led government will not be dictated by the “arrogant USA and its European allies”, national executive member Nathi Mthethwa said on Saturday (10/10/15).
Addressing the media at the ANC National General Council (NGC) in Midrand, Gauteng on the balance of forces commission, the Arts and Culture Minister said South Africa was committed to Brics.
He did not mince his words as he lashed out at the West, saying Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (Brics) was the best way of “challenging the global status quo”.
“We affirmed what was said in 2012 [at the Mangaung elective conference] which is that the global progressive forces stand a better chance in the world to challenge the status quo.
“We see the arrogance of both the US and its European allies in emphasising unilatarism, militarism in global politics. We are saying that in our case indeed we can see that Brics and its emergence is a true political and economic counter-measure of the status quo and we (seek) to strengthen our position in Brics.
“Our projection is that within the next four decades we’ll see China overtake the USA economically and you’ll find Brics-member countries in the top six economies,” he said.
“The issue here is the principle. Do we want to subject ourselves all the time to be given money with our cap in hand and be dictated to what to do and what not to do? And who to associate ourselves (with) as friends and not our friends? No, not from the movement which is 103 year old. It’s not going to happen.”
The ANC was concerned about the economy being in the hands of a white minority, Mthethwa said.
“We have to be serious about the ownership of the economy. We have to attend to the economy that is shedding jobs in South Africa, be it in the coal, mining or steel sectors.
“We are saying to our delegates it is in our hands to change the status quo,” he said.
Mthethwa’s sentiments come as Numsa has called on government to nationalise the steel sector as the union believes that would save thousands of jobs.
In the commission, the ruling party also reiterated its call of upping its efforts in fighting corruption and addressing service delivery protests.
- Mkhululi Ndamase
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