There are many reasons why Wednesday's budget will be a very tough one with many different taxes raised, There are the usual frequently mentioned reasons and two big ones that seem to have been overlooked by most budget soothsayers. The obvious reasons include the underperformance by SARS, government overspending, the huge cost of the bloated …
Category: Thoughts
Next week’s budget – between a rock and a hard place
When it comes to the budget next week, newly elected President Cyril Ramaphosa, and his promise of renewal, finds himself between a rock and a hard place. The government needs a budget to be passed timeously. But the budget before parliament will essentially be a Zuma Corruption budget. How can he or the ANC defend or …
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King Zuma’s reign ends
I had expected to feel excitement and even elation. But by the time King Zuma finally announced the end of his reign, I felt no excitement, only sadness and relief. It reminded me of Richard Nixon's resignation many decades ago. Sadness at the decade that Zuma had stolen from South Africa and her people. Sadness …
Ten reasons to legalise dagga, now!
The world, including South Africa, has spent billions over many decades trying to stamp out dagga, otherwise known as marijuana, pot or weed. Those billions have been wasted. Worse still, they have diverted resources away from more important priorities. Happily, politicians in many countries and many states in the USA have come to their senses. It is …
Crisis in education: are we teaching our kids the wrong stuff!
The matric results are out. Educational and government spokesmen are blowing their own cracked trumpets and opposition parties are criticising the cracks in the trumpets. Government and opposition alike are focusing on a long outdated educational system. Very few are asking: are we teaching the skills (at schools and universities) our children and grandchildren are …
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So Ramaphosa wins, what then? (over optimistic!)
Cyril Ramaphosa will have about three months to get rid of Zuma, and then about a year to prove that the ANC has self-corrected and he and the party are on the right path. Then come the 2019 elections. So, what is next? He will have to tackle many huge tasks and do so very quickly. …
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What if the ANC elections are stolen, what then?
Most internal elections (in any party) are tense affairs. There are winners and losers and bruised egos to be accommodated. That is normal. But for many, if not most delegates, this election is a struggle for the heart and soul of the ANC. As election day gets closer, tensions are rising. The election is …
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