OP-ED: Managing a state-owned company is an egg dance that demands creative politicking

Vuyani Jarana has made the right call to leave SAA based on the issues he highlighted in his much-publicised resignation letter – that is, if judged from a personal career-risk perspective. He is a renowned executive with an impressive private-sector record. He can certainly use his skills more meaningfully elsewhere.

Likewise, the roles of the chief executive or chairperson of the board of an SOC or state-owned enterprise , are roles of developmental elitism. The shareholder is often not keen to make the necessary financial commitments, appears indifferent to the needs of the enterprise, is strongly compliance-driven, and does not want to allow room for much creativity – especially where there are legal grey areas.

Such scope for playing the political game, or what I called creative politicking in the case of Coega, entails taking a wider view of the political players, building relationships, lobbying, and a wholehearted and unrelenting pursuit of the interests of the entity.

Nope. That is precisely the problem. It is a business. Run it like one, and take the politics out.

Business Business Latest News, Business Business Headlines

Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.

BUSINESS MAVERICK: South Africa’s carbon tax raises questions and hot airAs of Saturday 1 June, South Africa’s government is taxing carbon. This policy is designed to make polluters pay and help the continent’s most industrialised economy meet its targets to reduce the emissions of greenhouse gases linked by most scientists to climate change – the burning ecological issue of our era. But is it an appropriate policy for a developing economy with energy-intensive industries?
Source: dailymaverick - 🏆 3. / 84 Read more »

Business Maverick: After gobbling up Lonmin, the Sibanye juggernaut rolls onSibanye-Stillwater and Lonmin shareholders on Tuesday 28 May 2019 approved a takeover offer by the former for the latter. This marks the end of one era in South African platinum as Lonmin, formerly linked to Lonrho, rides off into the sunset, with a history stretching back over a century. And a new era is in the offing, as Sibanye becomes the world’s largest primary producer of platinum group metals (PGMs), with an eye on expanding into battery metals.
Source: dailymaverick - 🏆 3. / 84 Read more »