With South Africa and the rest of the world facing an increasingly uncertain economic environment, there can be no doubt that "government is going to matter," Centre for the Study of Democracy professor Steven Friedman asserted on Wednesday.

Addressing delegates gathered at the yearly South African Chamber of Commerce and Industry convention in Johannesburg on Wednesday, he said that there would be an increasing focus on interpersonal relationships in government and policy making going forward.

Commenting on former President Thabo Mbeki's administration, Friedman noted that it was an example of how a country could have a "highly intelligent president", with a good appreciation of policy, but if adequate relationships were not built, things simply did not work.

"Government is not about how many PHD's you have in a room - its about relationships," he reiterated.

'NOT A SHRED OF EVIDENCE'

Friedman also took the opportunity to quell many of the fears of the business sector, by stating that South Africa would not go the same route as Zimbabwe, and in fact the political events of recent weeks went to prove that changes could be made, without upheavals.

He also said that there was "not a shred of evidence" to suggest that the ruling African National Congress (ANC) was becoming more left-wing.

He noted that ANC leaders have largely said that the framework of governance, and policies would stay the same. This did not mean that there would be no changes, but that the changes would take place within the established framework.

However, despite many comments to the contrary by ANC leadership, Friedman argued that the ANC had reached a crisis point, after having kept a "lid" on internal divisions for years.

However, the seals had been broken at the national conference in Polokwane last year, when Mbeki lost his position as party chief to his populist rival and former deputy President Jacob Zuma.

Friedman commented that, in the past, a position in the ANC likely meant serving a jail sentence. Now, however, people actively want to advance within the party.

"The ANC must accept that ambitious politicians are going to compete," Friedman said.