The Masakhane campaign is floundering as politicians dither over ultimate control, reports Gaye Davis
THE three ministers in charge of the Masakhane Campaign are unable to agree who should take ultimate control of it and are fighting what one official described as an “unseemly turf battle” — putting the R30-million strategy to improve living conditions and end non- payment for services at the risk of
Cabinet has extended the life of the campaign, which was to have wound up in December but has yet to show results.
A government review of Masakhane last September showed a major problem lay in it being “owned” by three ministries: Constitutional Development (deputy minister Valli Moosa chairs the committee), the Reconstruction and Development Programme (which provides the funds) and housing (responsible for the multi-million rand media blitz to promote it). As a result it has fallen between three stools.
Directors general of the three departments met this week. Deputy director general of Constitutional Development Andrew Boraine said broad consensus on the strategic direction the campaign should take was arrived at. Instead of being driven solely from central government level, it should be taken down to local authority level and run by mayors and councillors, with co-ordination by a single
Constitutional Development minister Roelf Meyer wants Masakhane to fall under his department, which is ultimately in charge of local authorities. His department has drawn up a proposal spelling out how this should
But he faces opposition from the housing ministry, which is understood to have proposed the campaign fall under the control of the deputy president, rather than a line-function department. Housing director general Billy Cobbett refused to comment on the proposal
“The campaign and the ideas behind it are correct but it needs to be politically re- invigorated. It’s not just about getting people to pay for services but a social contract between government and the people in terms of rights and responsibilities on both sides,” he said. It was crucial the campaign drew in mass-based organisations, such as Sanco, and the private sector, he said.
Minister without Portfolio Jay Naidoo was not interested in “owning” the campaign, representative Connie Malusi said. Naidoo did not mind where it was located as long as it achieved its objectives,
Moosa is trying to convene a meeting between Meyer, himself, Naidoo and housing minister Sankie Mthembi-Nkondo for a “fresh look”. Moosa said for the campaign to succeed it had to involve ministries and departments working
Campaign manager Chris Ngcobo told the Mail & Guardian: “The three ministers have been unable to agree on who should be in charge and that slows down the momentum of the campaign. We cannot afford to let the campaign fail.” He did not mind who owned the campaign.
A secondary political squabble revolves around concern in ANC ranks that the political head of a campaign focusing on the needs and aspirations of the black community be an NP minister. Meyer responds: “If that is the suggestion being made to you I would say it is contrary to the spirit of the Government of National Unity.” It was for precisely this reason he had asked deputy Moosa to chair the Masakhane committee.
In constitutional development quarters, however, the concern has been expressed that if Masakhane is controlled by an ANC ministry it will be used to breathe life into dying ANC branches and take on a one-party political
Water Affairs minister Kader Asmal, who asked that he become part of the core group overseeing the campaign, said he had no desire to own it. He was not aware of stresses and strains between ministers, he said.
What was crucial was that Masakhane formed a central part of the government’s function, which meant every department had to be
The ANC has scheduled a conference for February 17 and 18 to focus on a national strategy for growth and development where the campaign will be high on the agenda.