'Whiter than White' ANC?

South Africa's Daily Mail and Guardian reports on wilting criticism by journalist John Pilger against the ruling African National Congress. In his new book, Pilger accuses the one-time liberation movement of selling out to corporate bosses.

"It was as if the ANC aspired to be whiter than white in its relations with the rulers of the world," Pilger writes. "Low tariffs would entice foreign imports; low inflation would preside over low wages and high unemployment ... and the rand would be subjected to the vagaries of the market."

Even pro-business economists have questioned such fiscal austerity in the face of pressing social needs, notes The DM&G. But the government says that wealth cannot be redistributed if it is not generated and that macroeconomic stability is needed for growth, which in turn will create jobs and provide a tax base to expand social services.