According to Bantu Holomisa, the leader of the United Democratic Movement, it is clear that there is confusion in the ANC over economic policy.

Holomisa said on Monday that President Kgalema Motlanthe is quoted in weekend papers as assuring international investors that no dramatic changes in policy will happen. "Mr Zuma is on his way to his masters in America where he will sing the same tune," Holomisa said, "But the troika of Messrs Vavi, Nzimande and Cronin, who masquerade as ANC members but all serve in the central committee of the SACP, have made profound statements about future economic policy."

He suggested that a similar process to Codesa should be initiated. It would focus on the economy, he said, so that the communists can bring their proposals, but the rest of us also have our say.

"Zuma and Motlanthe will bring the Mbeki policy, which they have been saying is good for South Africa and won't be changed," he said,

Blueprint for the future

"One thing is certain, the economic policy we have is not satisfying the needs of all South Africans, therefore there is a need to produce a blueprint/guide which would be used by any government irrespective of which party rules, to ensure that any shifts will be within the framework of consensus."

The UDM chief says that he told the Black Management Forum last week: "Anybody who believes there will be no economic policy changes is living in a fool's paradise." He added: "I also said we need to look at the country's macroeconomic policy that has produced jobless growth over a period of time."

He said that his party's policy is: "Government must do more", meaning government must invest in the economy. "It might not be acceptable to everybody, or it might, but we need to sit around a table and discuss these options," he said.

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