‘No more cheap talk’
Even ANC alliance partners are looking to President Cyril Ramaphosa to come up with a concrete Covid-19 battle plan and definitive timeline to kick-start SA’s ailing economy.
Issues include job creation, economic recovery plan and tax initiative extension.
It won’t be business as usual when President Cyril Ramaphosa delivers his crisis time State of the Nation Address (Sona) this evening. Even the ANC alliance partners want action and a break from the tradition of pronouncements without visible delivery.
Many want to hear how the president plans to proceed with the coronavirus fight, as well as his efforts to resuscitate the ailing economy and stem the tide of job losses.
They spoke about having heard so many promises but seen little action in the last three years.
The Congress of South African Trade Unions said: “We do not need new economic plans, but we need details and definitive timeframes that will speak to the implementation of the economic reconstruction and recovery plan (ERRP).
“The thrust of Sona needs to speak to the rapid implementation of the ERRP.
“The economy is in deep trouble and unemployment has surged past 50%. It’s time for less talk and swift action.”
Local investors voiced willingness to come to the party if the president fostered a conducive environment for investment, including extending the Section 12J tax incentive initiative.
The legislation was tailor-made to incentivise investors to fund projects that grow the economy and create jobs, but as a “sunset clause”, it is expected to expire in June.
Industry had been enabled to invest more than R5.5 billion in the economy, creating about 10 500 new jobs.
According to 12J Association of South Africa, an independently constituted body representing more than 25 12J asset management companies, tens of thousands of additional jobs are expected to be created over the next five years.
An additional R4 billion had already been raised and was pending investment into small, medium and micro enterprises.
Mdluli Safari Lodge in Mpumalanga, an initiative inspired by the 12J tax incentive initiative was cited by investment advisory firm Impact Capital Africa as a shining example, with an excellent performance rating.
The lodge’s performance met the government’s policy objectives of economic growth, job creation and transformation as it created jobs mainly for poor rural communities.
“We call on the president to use the opportunity of his Sona to announce the extension of Section 12J of the Income Tax Act, that is due to expire on 30 June.
“In extending the tax incentive, he will signal that South Africa is once again open for business and that he is serious about growth, jobs and transformation,” the association said.
Ramaphosa is under pressure to stop corruption in the supply of personal protective equipment (PPE).
In light of the this week’s Special Investigating Unit’s damning report, he has been called upon to show backbone by jailing the culprits.
But he has an elephant in the room: he must act against his own aide, Khusela Diko, whose husband benefitted from an unlawful PPE tender in Gauteng’s health department.
Even those who gave Ramaphosa the benefit of the doubt for dragging his feet on taking action against corruption, have joined calls for politically connected suspects be jailed.
The president is faced with another battle to end the Covid-19 threat. The questionable efficacy of AstraZeneca vaccines presented a quandary for him and Health Minister Dr Zweli Mkhize.
The president’s address is expected to be followed by a parliamentary debate and his response.
As usual, a week later the budget speech will follow, with Finance Minister Tito Mboweni[utting funds to Ramaphosa’ announcements.
Sona needs to speak to rapid implementation
Ennerdale residents are continuing to fight for the betterment of their community despite their grievances concerning land invasion, a vandalised train station and neglected facilities falling on deaf ears.
With the State of the Nation Address tonight, the residents expressed despondence towards what President Cyril Ramaphosa would say as it would not be anything new.
Elmer Leray, who has been a resident in the area for more than a decade, said he was saddened to witness the area deteriorating at the extent it was.
“My house is opposite an open field and I always fight with people who dump illegally because it is unacceptable. I also sometimes cut the grass there because it can go months without being taken care of by the municipality.”
Leray claimed that palisade slabs that were surrounding the stadium and bolts that were screwed onto the floodlights were being stolen by people from informal settlements down the road.
David Lucas, another resident, said the train station being vandalised and neglected was the last thing the community needed.
“Ennerdale residents used trains frequently because they were safer and cheaper.
“Before the pandemic, the trains were working and people commuted using them even though there was poor service.”
Lucas added that the train station was first vandalised shortly after the lockdown began in March last year.
He said the problems faced by the community were in desperate need of the mayor’s intervention.
“The bigger problem I have is that our issues in the communities are becoming a political game.
“My plea to the mayor is he needs to take action and comes on board by engaging with us.”
Anthony Reeves, a member of the Ennerdale Football Association, pleaded for the government to invest in recreational centres in the area. “It is simple, maintain and the community will look after the buildings.”
Joburg mayor Geoff Makhubo did not respond to a request for comment.
– Married at the age of 12, rejected at 16 and then disfigured in an acid attack, Al-Anoud Hussain Sheryan’s fate is a shocking illustration of abuse in a society beset by war and poverty.
Now 19, the Yemeni woman agreed to relate her ordeal at the hands of her abusive husband – rare testimony in a country where domestic violence is largely hidden.
“He grabbed me by the hair and poured the acid on me while laughing,” she said as she sat with her veil framing a face badly scarred by October’s assault that also left deep wounds on her body.
“I went through hell,” she said, describing her years of marriage which she said she spent chained and often beaten.
When her father died, AlAnoud’s mother remarried and then hurried to find a husband for her daughter. “She wanted to protect me,” she said.
Having lived for four years as a “slave”, Al-Anoud was eventually kicked out by her husband, taken in by her sister and began training as a nurse.
But her ex-husband decided he wanted her back and when she refused, he took his revenge.
After being hospitalised in a clinic where she had once been employed, Al-Anoud is now waiting to undergo the three plastic surgery operations needed to repair some of the damage.
Al-Anoud filed a complaint against her ex-husband, but he vanished and remains at large.
“I want the courts to punish the criminal who did this, but I also want to reclaim my youth, my studies and my work. I want to regain my life,” she said.
Child marriage is a feature of Yemeni society.