Shaping the future of GNU

If you wanted to recharge your political economy batteries and engage thinkers, scholars, captains of industry and activists, the recent three-day Kgalema Motlanthe Foundation Inclusive Growth Forum in KwaZulu-Natal's Drakensberg, was the place to be.

- Brian Sokutu

With political and economic heavyweights among them Mcebisi Jonas, Roelf Meyer, Firoz Cachalia, Edward Kieswetter, Miriam Altman, Wu Peng, Blade Nzimande, Somadoda Fikeni, Ronald Lamola, JP Landman, Mark Swilling, Kganki Matabane and Kgalema and Gugu Motlanthe - having descended on the tranquil Drakensberg, no subject was too big to tackle in "a safe environment" where everyone was regarded as an equal.

Described by Gordon Institute of Business Science founding director Nick Binedell as "throwing bombs while smiling", former deputy finance minister and current MTN chair Jonas appraised the government of national unity (GNU) - not only reading the mood in SA, but tackling hard issues facing the GNU head-on.

Though we have not yet reached a stage of no confidence in the GNU, which has seen the ANC and the DA trading blows on several policy issues, Jonas found a way of not glossing over real challenges and finding solutions.