What are the government thinking about Massmart?

Closer to home this type of activity is unlikely to attract investors of all types here in a hurry. I mean really, what is this about? State's court bid to undo Walmart merger. Is it just me who sees it this way? No, not likely. I tweeted yesterday: Dear anti WalMart people. Wake up. "Walmart: The Most Successful Retailer in History" Walmart: The Most Successful Retailer in History It is the consumer who decides!

One of my favourite new Twitter people, a young South African economist by the name of Russell Lamberti has made some interesting points on Twitter. Here goes, I will give you the tweets from today, last to first, just to follow his line of thinking chronologically, I have inserted the links to the story in the full version, which will look strange, but it is better than a bit.ly link. Now you really need to be a Twitter person to understand the link shortening thing. Here goes, the tweets:

"If WalMart creates genuine price comp then sales will rocket and the industry will surge leading to 000's of new jobs Walmart pledges to spend R60bn on food"

"But anyway,even if lost jobs was the ultimate result,is that not the point of economics: to use less labour per output? Walmart pledges to spend R60bn on food"

"Massmart may be restricted from selling its property. If one can't sell property freely, do property rights exist meaningfully at all in SA?"

"Seems like implicit ANC view is: All property belongs to the state, on loan to the pvt sector under a terminate-at-any-time lease agreement."

And then one of my favourite radio personalities, Chris Gibbons chimed in with, asking both Russell and I the question (which I guessed was rhetorical):

"But the unions opposed to the Walmart deal are creating jobs, aren't they? Aren't they? #ugottabejoking"

True story. What commitment to job creation do the unions have in South Africa? If you have seen such a document that does not involve the state, please send it to me and we can discuss. Lastly, business creates jobs, check this commitment from Grant Pattison: Pattison argues against unions' Walmart fears before MPs. The chief says jobs will be created. The company has delivered on all of their long term targets. As a capitalist pig I am more inclined to believe Pattison.