The government is cresting a wave of popularity and goodwill that, unprecedented as it is this country, would probably be just as remarkable in any other.
The survey results we publish this week, the findings of a poll of 150 top business and trade union leaders, reveal extraordinary confidence in the ANC-led government after its first year in office.
As we headlined our own report card on the GNU a few weeks ago, it’s been one of the longest honeymoons in history.
Business and labour just love Nelson Mandela; that is predictable — the whole world loves our president.
What is remarkable about the survey results is the convergence of opinions of business and labour on a number of vital issues, including the performance of key cabinet
And business and labour are overwhelmingly confident about the future of this country in political and economic terms.
Of the 11 key ministers featured in the survey, both sectors agree that the only complete failures in the GNU are Pik Botha and Mangosuthu Buthelezi.
Buthelezi’s poor performance rating from business leaders underscores the gathering momentum of opinion that, far from being the “great white hope” and free market champion, he has relegated himself to the position of a troublemaker and a spoiler. His position as IFP leader clearly overshadows his performance as Minister of Home Affairs.
The astonishing convergence of opinions among business and labour leaders is further highlighted by their close — and positive — scoring of Deputy President de Klerk (6,3 from business and 6,1 from labour). Business leaders even rate Thabo Mbeki higher than De Klerk.
In similar vein, Finance Minister Chris Liebenberg gets a thumbs up from both sectors.
The results of the survey should give the ANC a “warm fuzzy” — it has the strong support of two key constituencies who have the power to make or break the Reconstruction and Development Programme.