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Gwede Mantashe Says South Africans Have Become Too Dependent on Government
Johannesburg – Mineral and Petroleum Resources Minister and ANC national chairperson Gwede Mantashe has sparked widespread debate after claiming that many South Africans have become overly dependent on the state, creating what he described as a “passive society” that expects government to solve all personal and economic challenges.
Mantashe made the remarks during an interview with SABC News on Sunday, ahead of the ANC’s 8 January birthday celebrations. His comments quickly drew criticism, particularly on social media, where many accused him of being disconnected from the harsh realities of unemployment and poverty facing millions of citizens.
According to Mantashe, the ANC has failed to adequately communicate its achievements since coming into power in 1994. He cited programmes such as the National Student Financial Aid Scheme (NSFAS), which has enabled thousands of underprivileged students to obtain tertiary qualifications, as well as the establishment of a comprehensive social security system aimed at protecting the most vulnerable.
“We don’t talk about that,” Mantashe said, expressing frustration that these accomplishments are often overlooked.
Comparing South Africa’s development path with that of China, Mantashe argued that the ANC may have unintentionally contributed to a culture of passivity. He suggested that while Chinese citizens actively participate in building their economy, South Africans have become accustomed to waiting for the state to deliver.
“The difference is that Chinese people put their skin in the fire,” he said. “South Africa has developed a theory of delivery, where you sit back, sit in the sun and expect the state to deliver. People are not involved.”
Mantashe maintained that greater citizen participation is essential if the country is to reach its full potential. While expressing pride in the ANC’s governance record since 1994, he criticised citizens for failing to fully utilise the opportunities created by the democratic government.
“I am happy that we have delivered. We have changed the outlook of the country,” he said. “I am unhappy that many of our people don’t use the advantages of an ANC government. Instead, they expect government to take them there.”
To illustrate his point, Mantashe shared an anecdote about a young woman from the Eastern Cape who studied pharmacy through NSFAS but struggled to secure employment. Using a fishing analogy, he said the ANC had provided the necessary tools but could not guarantee outcomes.
“I said to her, ‘The ANC has given you a fishing rod; it must now catch fish for you,’” Mantashe recalled, adding that the woman acknowledged she had not previously viewed the situation from that perspective.
He also reflected on a failed community farming project he initiated in Cala, Eastern Cape. According to Mantashe, the project collapsed due to a lack of community participation, particularly among young people who preferred to lease the land rather than actively engage in agricultural production.
“They didn’t want to be part of the project,” he said. “After three years, I gave up. It was a big disappointment.”
Mantashe argued that such attitudes demonstrate how government interventions have unintentionally fostered dependence rather than self-reliance.
“I would prefer a society that is doing things themselves,” he said. “We must all be part of the solution and not depend on the state or the ANC for solutions. The more people get involved, the better the country will be.”
Reflecting on his own life, the veteran politician said he had never relied on government to secure employment for him.
“I am now over 70. I’ve never had a government looking for a job for me,” he said. “Today, because there is a progressive government, people expect that government to give them jobs. They don’t look for jobs themselves, and that must change.”
He concluded by calling for a shift in mindset, urging South Africans to move away from what he termed a “parcel society” and toward active participation in economic development.
However, Mantashe’s remarks were met with sharp criticism. Former Public Protector and MK Party member Busisiwe Mkhwebane accused him of being out of touch with the lived realities of unemployed graduates and struggling households.
“If you knew how many applications unemployed graduates submit, you would never utter such irresponsible statements,” Mkhwebane wrote on X. “Your family and those close to you are not exposed to the poverty and unemployment our families are going through. You are distant from reality, and it is sad.”
Earlier in the interview, Mantashe also defended Black Economic Empowerment (BEE) amid ongoing criticism of the policy. He dismissed claims that BEE beneficiaries succeed due to political connections, describing such allegations as “a farce.”
“Politics don’t create entrepreneurs,” he said. “Entrepreneurs are born, they develop their skills and build empires. As Black South Africans, we must do the same and not expect to be given gifts called wealth. Wealth is not a gift.”
