Getting SA back on track

PRIORITIES: CENTRE FOR DEVELOPMENT AND ENTERPRISE IDENTIFIES FIVE AREAS FOR GOVT

- Ann Bernstein

To fix the state, the new government needs to start by reforming how the Cabinet functions.

The formation of the government of national unity (GNU) is an unprecedented opportunity to turbo-boost reform and get South Africa back on track.

By accepting the election results, SA's leaders surprised the world and reassured the country.

We now have a chance to build a new political centre committed to dealing with poverty and truly expanding opportunities for all.

This is a government that, on paper, believes in constitutionalism, the rule of law and an increased role for the market in growing the economy and creating jobs.

What is required now is the leadership and political maturity to keep the GNU intact, and, crucially, to agree on a set of urgent priorities that deal with our country's most pressing challenges.

The space has opened up for an "all of society" approach to getting things done. As part of its Agenda 2024 project, the Centre for Development and Enterprise has identified five priority areas requiring an immediate, laser-like focus: