Value parastatals, don’t rape them

Few people – other than those in the camp of Jacob Zuma – can be distressed about the news that Dudu Myeni has just lost her cushy job as an advisor to the ministry of transport.

The former chairperson of the South African Airways (SAA) was close to the former president and seemed to be one of his untouchables.

She rode roughshod over experienced and senior managers at the airline, causing many of them to leave, accelerating the decline.

Under her stewardship, the airline became a financial catastrophe and continues to require massive cash bailouts from the state … money which should be used for social development and upliftment of our people.

Her appointment as an advisor by former transport minister Joe Maswanganyi was confirmation that the Zuma clique was intent on getting its own on to the government gravy train – and to hell with the consequences for the country.

Myeni should be a reminder to all of us: this should not be allowed to happen again.

People appointed to run state-owned enterprises must be the best for the job and must be given the resources to carry out their mandate. Those parastatals are a valuable national asset – they must be protected and not raped.

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