Shameless corporate bribery

Given the disaster that is South Africa’s telecommunications policy, what do you think companies in the sector would do? Blame the minister for not acting in the interest of South Africa’s citizens? Complain that her policies have cost the business sector billions over the years?

No way. They’re sucking up to her by funding expensive parties to “celebrate” a formality that is an ordinary part of her job description. In response to a question in parliament, minister Ivy Matsepe-Casaburri reportedly said:

Yes, a function was organised to mark the occasion of the delivery of my vote in the National Assembly. The function was fully sponsored by companies within the ICT sector.

The cost of the party? R400 000, two thirds of which paid for the entertainment. The shameless companies involved? Dimension Data, Vodacom, Cell C, MTN, GijimaAST, ForgeAhead, Microsoft, Business Connexion, Neotel, Multichoice and Nokia Siemens Networks.

Does this show that the incumbent profiteer, Telkom, is less craven and opportunistic than this lot, or that Telkom already has the minister in its pocket?

Frankly, I’m disgusted with the lot of them.