MINISTER OF CHAOS: Solly Malatsi Promises Policy Certainty, But Can He Deliver?
Communications minister Solly Malatsi, a Democratic Alliance MP, has vowed to bring stability to the department of communications & digital technologies, but his track record suggests otherwise.
In his first presentation to parliament, Malatsi claimed that the ministry’s instability over the past 30 years has led to policy formulation chaos. But is he the right man to fix this problem?
Malatsi, who is the first non-ANC politician in the democratic era to hold the position, has a history of controversy and flip-flopping. As a DA MP, he has been involved in several high-profile scandals, including a dispute over a DA-funded scholarship and allegations of financial mismanagement.
Despite his questionable credentials, Malatsi has promised to prioritize policy certainty and stability. But can he deliver?
A House of Cards
Malatsi’s plan to fix the ministry’s instability includes reducing the staff vacancy rate from 18% to 10% within the next two years. But this is a lofty goal, especially considering the department’s history of poor management and lack of resources.
Furthermore, Malatsi’s emphasis on policy certainty may be a pipe dream. The DA’s own policies are often criticized for being vague and lacking in detail, which can lead to confusion and instability.
The SABC: A Hot Potato
Malatsi’s comments on the SABC’s mandate and financial sustainability were met with skepticism by many. His suggestion that the public broadcaster focus on developing "compelling content" and ensuring "good governance" is a vague and uninspiring vision for the SABC’s future.
Moreover, Malatsi’s promise to resolve the dispute between the SABC and Sentech over signal transmission fees is a Band-Aid solution that fails to address the underlying issues. The SABC’s debt to Sentech is a symptom of a larger problem: the SABC’s financial mismanagement and lack of transparency.
The Post Office: A Lost Cause?
Malatsi’s plan to revamp the Post Office as a "competitive e-commerce and logistics platform" is an ambitious but unrealistic goal. The Post Office is a dying institution, and its attempts to reinvent itself have been met with failure.
A GNU-ious Partnership?
Malatsi’s comments on his working relationship with his predecessor, Mondli Gungubele, were curious. His emphasis on the "synergy" between them suggests that he is more interested in preserving his own power and influence than in delivering real results for the department.
In conclusion, Solly Malatsi’s promises of policy certainty and stability are little more than empty rhetoric. His track record suggests that he is more interested in politicking than in delivering real results for the department. The future of the communications ministry looks bleak under his leadership.
