SA's watershed Washington meeting

South African politics has plumbed a new low as a result of the Ramaphosa delegation’s meeting with President Trump.

The only take-away from the televised encounter is one of great embarrassment for South Africa. Trump’s posture and body language showed that he wasn’t buying any of Ramaphosa’s copy and paste rhetoric asking for investment in the economy which his policies have destroyed.

Instead of adopting dignified postures while the video clips of Malema’s call for genocide were being screened, Ramaphosa grinned and even attempted to make conversation while one of his delegation laughed. Seeing is believing.

Now the world knows that farm murders are not fake news and that Malema’s call in front of a packed stadium for the mass killing of whites is a real threat. Ramaphosa’s failure to respond to Trump’s question why Malema has not been arrested adds to that conviction.

Hugely disappointing was John Steenhuizen’s failure to emphasise the reality of farm murders. Then, by his uncalled for expression of virtual collegiality with Ramaphosa, he threw away the golden opportunity to state crisply that rampant crime is linked to mass unemployment which is the result of job-destroying socialist, BEE policies.

While a reset of US relations with South Africa is taking place, for the ANC and DA their performance in Washington indicates that a watershed moment has arrived.

For the ANC, however, like Humpty Dumpty, it is beyond salvage.

But for the DA to salvage itself, particularly after its Public Works minister MacPherson’s attempt to play down the serious threat of land expropriation at the Nampo conference, its only solution is to reinstate Tony Leon’s apt and successful ‘Fight Back’ ethos. | DR DUNCAN DU BOIS Bluff

EFF, MKP do more harm than good

Efforts are being made by the President of South Africa, along with cabinet ministers, business leaders and civil society, to rebuild diplomatic ties between South Africa and the US.

However, instead of advancing this critical relationship, Wednesday night was overshadowed by the spectre of Julius Malema’s familiar rhetoric, including the inflammatory chant, “Kill the Boer, Kill the Farmer".

Malema’s actions are an embarrassment to South Africa on the global stage, undermining the country’s credibility and economic prospects. South Africans are becoming increasingly aware of the damage this kind of rhetoric inflicts, especially when it comes to job creation and investor confidence. If there are political parties that do not deserve the support of voters, it is the EFF and Jacob Zuma’s MK Party, both of which have repeatedly caused national embarrassment and economic uncertainty.

While crime remains a serious challenge, the deliberate incitement of violence is entirely unacceptable and must be condemned by all South Africans who value peace and stability. Reject the EFF and MKP as their populist tactics threaten investment, economic growth, and the country’s reputation.

Their reckless rhetoric creates fear among potential investors and disqualifies them from governance at any level.

South Africa deserves leadership that prioritises stability, prosperity, and responsible governance – not political spectacle and division. | Noko Masipa Parouw

Budget a reflection of SA’s fiscal space

The IFP the 2025 Budget, delivered by the Minister of Finance Enoch Godongwana, as a “work with what you have” type of budget, which is an honest reflection of the constrained fiscal space the country finds itself in.

We welcome the continued investment in frontline social services, which reflects a commitment to protecting the most vulnerable in society. This budget has maintained vital areas such as:

Education: Sustained funding with an additional R10 billion that has been added to the baseline as announced during the March 12 budget in order to expand access to early education is kept unchanged as well to ensure teacher employment increases and basic education delivery is met.

Healthcare: Allocations that support the employment of doctors and healthcare workers.

Social Grants: The continued support of social grants that bring much-needed relief to millions of South Africans.

In addition, R1 trillion in over three years investment in public infrastructure spending is a positive step forward. It offers much-needed stimulus for job creation and economic expansion, especially after more than a decade of economic stagnation and missed growth targets.

This aligns with the IFP’s call for the state to invest in labour-absorbing infrastructure as a tool for inclusive development.

However, we note serious shortcomings in the budget, particularly with regard to its impact on the cost of living for the poor and the working class.

The removal of the proposed expansion of zero-rated items – which was initially included as a mechanism to provide targeted relief to the poorest – represents a missed opportunity to cushion vulnerable households from inflationary pressures. The decision to introduce a fuel levy further compounds this issue, as it will inevitably trigger increased food prices, higher transport costs and greater financial strain on low-income households.

These regressive outcomes directly contradict the pro-poor principles that South Africa’s fiscal policy must champion in this time of deep inequality. Overall, this budget offers moments of encouragement, especially in its protection of key social services and infrastructure development.

However, we remain concerned about measures that may exacerbate inequality and reverse gains made in poverty reduction. | Nhlanhla Hadebe MP IFP Parliamentary Caucus Chief Whip

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