Page 33 - IRMSA Risk Report 2021

PERPETUAL FAKE IT UNTIL WE OWNING OUR
FLAG
HANGOVER MAKE IT, OR NOT? FUTURE
Leadership accountability The effectiveness and integrity The best available leaders
for sustainable prosperity of the country’s leadership are appointed in the right
of citizens is completely is increasing. Leadership is positions to make a difference.
lacking. Proponents of good promoting an inspirational Public, private, and civil society
governance and longer-term vision that puts SA first and is leaders overcome their
1
thinking are vilified as counter- achieved through cooperation. differences and work together
revolutionary. Inequalities in cohesive structures
LEADERSHIP
CAPACITY become acceptable to wealthy to promote sustainable
“enclaves”. prosperity by making tough
decisions and embedding
good governance in all spheres
of society and the economy.

Government remains weak Although the ruling party is We build on the pockets of
and divided: fragmentation, still struck with idealistic and excellence that our country
factionalism, and confusion populist dogma, the President, already possesses to
reign. Public institutions and with a number of strong encourage poorer performing
commissions remain divided supporters lead the way to institutions to up their
2
and work against each other. strengthen constitutional game. Government austerity
No action is taken against entities and state-owned measures take hold and
INSTITUTIONAL
CAPACITY exposed participants in state enterprises – albeit too slowly make a positive impact on
capture or other forms of to bring about immediate, investor confidence and SA’s
corruption. definitive change. There is investment ratings.
growing concern that this may
be too little, too late.

The ANC unites behind a The ANC is unable to deal with Politically, parties meet minds
corrupt leadership. Disparate the pressures for an internal around sensible reforms,
leaders at different levels clean-up as demanded by the need for effective
in government increasingly the “moral underground”. empowerment policies, and
3
make their own decisions, Instead, it maintains factions the best interest of citizens of
in contradiction to National with opposing agendas. the country as positioned by
POLITICS
Government, to weaken Notwithstanding, the “moral civil-society groups.
the President’s power and underground” appears to
entrench factionalism. keep SA afloat.

Racial and ethnic tensions Those who came of political age Racial and social tensions
are intentionally amplified in the 2010s, many of whom transition into a new mood
amid rising levels of violence. are committed and highly of reconciliation, unity, and
Resentment threatens to educated, light up the nation common purpose. The
through their competence
rebound in the economy
spiral into irreconcilable and confidence. They revive results in South Africans
4
social differences. SA is torn a sense that real change is emerging from their self-
by deepening social divides, possible. A more confident imposed enclaves and living
SOCIAL
cynical self-interest, immobility, spirit denotes growing comfortably alongside one
COHESION and restless energy. It social cohesion, economic another. This promotes a new
becomes a demoralised land expansion, and a renewed sense of common purpose
and cohesion among the
spirit of constitutionalism.
of disorder and decay.
citizenries.

33