Business Unity SA Responds to Ramaphosa: ‘We’re Not Trying to Influence the ANC’

Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) has firmly stated that it has no intention of influencing political decisions, following comments by President Cyril Ramaphosa suggesting that the African National Congress (ANC) would not be swayed by “what business says.”

The exchange comes amid tensions between the ANC and the Democratic Alliance (DA) over the recent Budget Vote—an issue that has sparked renewed concerns over the stability of the Government of National Unity (GNU).

Business Calls for GNU Stability

Speaking on VOC’s News Beat, Khulekani Mathe, CEO of BUSA, pushed back against the idea that the organisation is inserting itself into party politics.

“On the contrary, we are not caught in the midst of the political storm,” said Mathe.

He emphasized that BUSA’s role is to advocate for economic stability and growth—not to meddle in the affairs of political parties.

“From a business perspective, our focus is on reigniting economic growth. We are not interested in interfering with politics—that is not our role. However, we do have a vested interest in the economy, as it directly impacts our ability to operate and contribute to national development.”

South Africa’s Fiscal Reality

Mathe explained that South Africa’s fiscal challenges are rooted in structural economic issues that predate the current political tensions. The imbalance between planned government expenditure and actual revenue, he said, has led to a reliance on borrowing that is no longer sustainable.

“For over a decade, the South African economy has failed to achieve the necessary levels of growth. During that time, government borrowing was used to plug budget gaps. We’ve now reached a point where borrowing further is no longer sustainable, which is why tax hikes have become unavoidable.”

A Call for Unity and Focus

Rather than choosing sides, BUSA is calling on both the ANC and DA to “stay the course” and remain committed to the GNU to ensure economic and political stability.

The business community has long advocated for a predictable and unified government that can inspire investor confidence, unlock capital, and help South Africa recover from years of low growth, high unemployment, and infrastructure decline.

“We’re asking political leaders to focus on what unites them—the need to rebuild this economy. That is something every South African benefits from.”

As South Africa navigates a delicate political moment, Business Unity South Africa is urging calm and collaboration—not confrontation. Their message is clear: economic revival depends on political maturity. While business won’t pick sides, it won’t be silent either when growth and jobs are at stake.

{Source VOC}

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