When we say “local entrepreneurs” glibly, it often means party hacks. And friends, family and favourites (the ugly 3Fs) of elites that have captured the state.
If not, let us take up the challenge to publish the top ten percent (in value) of public procurement contracts given in this country, in the last 15 years. And trace the flow of benefiting stakeholders, all the way upstream. The room will go quiet.
The state has agency. But before it deploys this, let us also look at facts. What have been the aggregate price increases of MTN compared with national inflation figures in whatever period? Do the analysis, the price increases significantly lag inflation.
A state that cannot manage its inflation, cannot manage currency depreciation, and cannot provide basic services like electricity supply, must expect private sector entities to put up prices at some point. Basic laws of economics dictate that.
People tout Neoliberal tropes without thinking through. The private sector is the engine of growth, we say. Well, whatever money a private sector company takes out of the country, permission is given by the same government. Why does it approve, if it then begins to complain?
States and governments have agency. People must therefore govern and reflect serious priorities. If we mobilise to go to the private sector to raise funds to build cathedrals, that is what we get. It is the government’s role to govern, to set policy contexts and implement them. When it fails to do this, for whatever reason, it should not point fingers at the private sector.
We must raise the hood, and look underneath, there is a lot that will come out if we can shine the lights of transparency on political parties fund flows. If night turns to day, many people will run away.
