The content on this page is not written by Polity.org.za, but is supplied by third parties. This content does not constitute news reporting by Polity.org.za.

Minister of Finance Pravin Gordhan did the right thing during his CNN interview yesterday when he took an unambiguous stand against the nationalisation of mines. His rejection of mine nationalisation, saying that it had “no merit”, is exactly what President Zuma's response to the issue should have been the first time it was raised.

This is just the latest example of Minister Gordhan taking a public stand on the right side of South Africa's economic debate.

Last month he came out publicly in support of labour market reforms, only to be shouted down by Cosatu who called on President Zuma to call Minister Gordhan and ask him to "stop sending out these messages".

National Treasury and Minister Gordhan were also the source of the Youth Wage Subsidy that would dramatically lower the cost of employing young people: a policy that has been comprehensively blocked by Cosatu at Nedlac.

It is a tragedy that Minister Gordhan is constantly failed by the President and his colleagues in cabinet who steadfastly refuse to support his policies and positions on growth-oriented economic reform.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) will fully support the Minister on such issues.

A centrist consensus is emerging in South African politics where the DA is joined by Ministers like Pravin Gordhan and Minister in the Presidency Trevor Manuel, whose positions are broadly in line with our policy proposals on reforming the economy to achieve higher growth.