
BOSA rejects City of Cape Town's tariff increases
Solomons said the public must have a chance to participate in these decisions.

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IOL News
16 hours ago
- IOL News
30% Tariffs from the US government, 0% Leadership from the GNU government
Trade tensions between SA and the US, and represents a direct threat to thousands of South African jobs in key export sectors such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and mining. Image: Armand Hough /Independent Newspapers Build One South Africa (BOSA) expresses deep concern over the imposition of 30% tariffs on most South African imports to the United States, which will come into effect after a seven-day window. This marks a serious escalation in trade tensions between SA and the US, and represents a direct threat to thousands of South African jobs in key export sectors such as automotive manufacturing, agriculture, and mining. The outcome is not solely the result of an increasingly protectionist White House. It is a self-inflicted wound caused by years of incoherent and ideologically driven foreign policy from the South African government. What should have been a moment for skilled diplomacy and strategic engagement has instead become a textbook case in diplomatic failure. Key opportunities to repair and restore trust with US lawmakers and officials were squandered. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Even under the more diplomatic Biden administration, South Africa failed to rebuild trust. We did not use the opportunity to engage, negotiate, or reassure. And now, under a more transactional Trump presidency, patience has run out. What is clear is that South Africa urgently needs a foreign policy rooted in clear principles and strategic interests instead of nostalgia and ideology. Our diplomacy must be led by the state, above party politics, and laser-focused on three core objectives: expanding trade and economic growth, defending human rights, and advancing democracy on the continent and beyond. The current bipolar approach, with mixed signals from different actors, is unsustainable and deeply damaging. BOSA calls for five urgent steps to arrest this crisis and rebuild South Africa's credibility in Washington: Reassert official diplomatic leadership and prevent political freelancing that undermines national trade priorities. South Africa must speak with one credible, united voice. Engage directly with the US Congress, where AGOA's future will ultimately be decided. The case must be made for the mutual benefits of continued trade cooperation and use the over 500,000 US jobs linked to trade with South Africa as leverage. Present a credible trade and investment plan that highlights the potential of key export sectors and aligns with US strategic interests, especially in green energy and technology. Commission an urgent economic risk assessment to quantify the impact of these tariffs on jobs and industries, and guide responsive, sector-specific relief measures. Appoint a qualified ambassador to Washington who understands the intersection of economics and diplomacy and can lead the high-level engagements needed to restore trust and rebuild lost ground. South Africa cannot afford more indecision, ideological posturing, or diplomatic negligence. Our future economic growth depends on pragmatic, clear-headed leadership in foreign policy that puts South African jobs front and centre. Roger Solomons - BOSA Spokesperson


Eyewitness News
23-07-2025
- Eyewitness News
BOSA's Maimane wants Ramaphosa to mandate SIU to probe corruption claims within SAPS
CAPE TOWN - Build One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane wants President Cyril Ramaphosa to use his executive powers to mandate the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) to investigate corruption claims within the South African Police Service (SAPS). During the vote on the budget of the Presidency in the National Assembly on Wednesday, Maimane said that this would speed up possible prosecutions of those implicated by KwaZulu-Natal police commissioner, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, in collusion and infiltration. The House is currently voting on each of the 42 departmental budgets, as it looks to finalise the national budget. During declarations on the Presidency's budget, Al Jama-ah leader, Ganief Hendricks, praised Ramaphosa for taking the lead in government, launching a genocide case against Israel in the International Court of Justice. Meanwhile, Maimane appealed to the president to speed up investigations into corruption within the police. "On behalf of the people, we say, the Presidency does not arrest, but prosecutions will lead people to prison. Let's act now." The Patriotic Alliance's Marlon Daniels used the occasion to slam the Democratic Alliance (DA), saying the party had created a false narrative that it was able to influence decisions around the executive. "There's been lies peddled around by the DA, claiming that they have influenced decisions taken, when we know it's the prerogative of the president. I want fellow South Africans to know the truth." The African National Congress (ANC)'s chief whip, Mdumiseni Ntuli, said the budget allocation would help the president to fulfil the statement of intent signed by GNU partners. The budget vote was subsequently passed.


Eyewitness News
23-07-2025
- Eyewitness News
National Assembly passes several dept budgets despite objections from most opposition parties
CAPE TOWN - The National Assembly has managed to pass several department budgets despite objections from most opposition parties. On Wednesday, the National Assembly was voting on each of the 42 departmental budgets as it tries to get the Appropriation Bill over the line at another marathon House sitting at the Cape Town International Convention Centre. The bill is the law that gives the government the green light to apportion public funds for departments and government services. ALSO READ • BOSA's Maimane wants Ramaphosa to mandate SIU to probe corruption claims within SAPS • Failure to finalise budget will hurt SA's vulnerable members of society the most - Masondo The first vote to come before members was for the Presidency, which was supported by most parties, who also noted how the Presidency was not an implementing department. Patriotic Alliance (PA) Member of Parliament (MP), Marlon Daniels, urged parties to vote in favour of all budgets to ensure the smooth running of government. "Why must we support all these votes? Simply because the appetite to turn things around in South Africa does not rely on one department only, but cuts across all different departments." Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs committee chairperson, Zweli Mkhize, reminded members of the need to support the R410 billion budget, which supports municipalities. "We have to ensure that there's accountability, consequence management, as well as the turnaround of these municipalities." The voting continues and will wrap up once the final vote for land reform and rural development has been passed.