The NANTSA Vaccine Plant in South Africa is a Double-edged Sword

Land Party has been calling for a vaccine developed and manufactured in Africa, for Africans since the beginning of COVID. So, the launch of Patrick Soon-Shiong’s NANTSA Vaccine plant should be cause for celebration. Finally, African vaccines made by Africans, for Africans, in Africa. A South African- born billionaire has swooped in to make this a reality after talks with President Cyril Ramaphosa.

This vaccine will not only protect people from COVID, but promises to end the pandemic altogether. It also promises to generate excellent profits from export sales in a few years time. Hundreds of new jobs will be created and Africa will be on a par with first-world nations. South African scientists will be able to showcase their brilliance to the world.

Land Party completely supports private investment (and vaccines) but with some provisos, provisos which are typical of our pragmatic approach to governance. For example, in the Land Party manifesto you will find this statement in the Science and Technology section:

“Science must be used for economic development, to improve overall health of communities, and to ensure optimal health of all citizens.

For safety and security all research and development must be scrutinized by an oversight committee so as not to be exploited by philanthropists who are using it for selfish gains by undermining and violating human rights and to orchestrate population control.”

There are a couple of problems.

Firstly, this is a purely capitalist venture by a philanthropist billionaire. If a vaccine plant is not going to be owned by the people who work in it, and it is a private venture, it has to be subject to maximum transparency and public scrutiny. This is the perfect opportunity for workers to be given the chance to own the means of production. Mr Soon-Shiong could assist them with startup capital. But instead, he is going to be adding to his billions from the profits made off the labour of South Africans.

As per our LGE2021 Policy Directions, he should only be allowed to trade if South African citizens are employed, the company complies with the labour relations act, pays a LIVING wage, develops new property and infrastructure, and, invests all profits in South Africa.

Secondly, an oversight committee must be set up to ensure that the public are protected from exploitation or experimentation by private investors and government officials in the name of progress.

There are still many clouds hanging over many of the ministers, and the President himself, which need to be cleared. With such high levels of corruption in both the private and public sector it is vital that an oversight committee be set up with full public participation as soon as possible.

If the government doesn’t protect our interests let’s hope that Mr Soon-Shiong will himself ensure that this venture is nothing but an economic success for South Africa and South Africans, and not just his bottom line.

END