logo
BUDGET: SA Canegrowers welcomes no increase in sugar tax

BUDGET: SA Canegrowers welcomes no increase in sugar tax

IOL News21-05-2025
SA Canegrowers on Wendesday said that it welcomes the decision by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana not to enact any further increases in the Health Promotion Levy (or sugar tax) in his Budget 3.0.
"Introduced in 2018, the sugar tax cost 16 000 jobs and R2 billion in revenue in the first year of implementation alone, according to independent research by Nedlac. Any increase would risk the livelihoods of growers and increase unemployment in many parts KwaZulu Natal and Mpumalanga, where there are few other job opportunities," SA Canegrowers said.
"The sugar tax has been nothing but destructive for South Africa. While the Nedlac study demonstrated concrete proof of job losses, no evidence has been provided to show the tax has reduced obesity or improved the health of South Africans in any way," it further stated.
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Auditor-General highlights rampant R1bn irregular expenditure in Johannesburg
Auditor-General highlights rampant R1bn irregular expenditure in Johannesburg

IOL News

time8 hours ago

  • IOL News

Auditor-General highlights rampant R1bn irregular expenditure in Johannesburg

Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke pointed out that the malpractice observed in Johannesburg is not an isolated issue, but part of a broader trend seen across major municipalities in South Africa. Image: Thobile Mathonsi / Independent Newspapers The Auditor-General Tsakani Maluleke has drawn attention to the alarming reality of irregular expenditure within the City of Johannesburg (CoJ), revealing that the municipality was leading the nation in this regard with contracts exceeding R1 billion awarded to contractors with connections to officials. In a webinar hosted by the Centre for Development and Enterprise (CDE) Conversations, Maluleke pointed out that the malpractice observed in Johannesburg is not an isolated issue, but part of a broader trend seen across major municipalities in South Africa. However, she said a concerning aspect of this issue related to existing National Treasury regulations that allow municipalities to pay start-ups in advance for transactions not exceeding R2 000. She highlighted that these regulations may unintentionally facilitate corrupt practices within the CoJ. "The CoJ has high irregular expenditure year-on-year and it does not seem to be a situation that is getting under control. So it raises questions about whether the Council, the Speaker, the Mayor are decisive," Maluleke said. "It is undesirable, it raises a series of conflicts. It raises the question if the contract is in the interest of the city or in the interest of the the individual concerned." Maluleke emphasised that while the law did not expressly prohibit municipalities from engaging in transactions with family members of councillors or employees, there was a vital obligation to disclose such dealings, particularly when they exceed R2 000. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ "We have got to look at different players in the ecosystem of accountability and our analysis is local government is a different sphere of government from provincial and national government, but they are not meant to be autonomous," she said. "They are not meant to operate as islands. These are public resources. We find too many municipalities do things that nobody hold them accountable for. And then they all wait for the AG to come every year they all lament and then we start the thing again next year." Maluleke said her experience in recent years showed that when accounting officers faced scrutiny, they were often transferred, creating instability that hampers accountability. "Our experience in the last few years is that accounting officers where we are zeroing-in to issue a certificate of debt, they get moved around and because we dont hire or fire them," she said. "What you find is that a Council will keep that role very unstable, make someone act for six months another one for six months. It just delays the process. So it might delay the AG but worse of all it continues to weaken the institution. It must often be deliberate." Maluleke said accounting officers too often did not go into the details of the plans that they sign off on. "All too often they don't do that. They might tick a box and say we have seen the plan, but you never seen evidence of suggestions that should be amended so that there is coherence for a province," she said. "No wonder then some of the plans are cut and paste jobs by consultants, and yet they pass and then when they are being implemented, all manner of adjustments are made during the year, which runs into a different costs far way above what it should have cost. "We have got to ask where is the provincial legislature when we have gone into this. We find some of them did not know they were supposed to get certain reports let alone look at them. Sometimes they get them bit did not do anything with them. "I believe we must be much more impatient with municipal leadership that simply does not submit financial statements because these are public funds. And so the very least you can do, whether or not the statements are credible, is to submit them. It's something we should never tolerate, that and disclaimers is something we must leave behind. 30 years into democracy that should not be our experience." BUSINESS REPORT

South Africans experiencing less financial stress, but still under pressure — survey
South Africans experiencing less financial stress, but still under pressure — survey

The Citizen

time13 hours ago

  • The Citizen

South Africans experiencing less financial stress, but still under pressure — survey

Overall, 63% of consumers spend more than 30% of after-tax income on debt repayments; the same ratio within the 45-54 age group is 74%. Although South Africans are experiencing notably less financial stress than they did for the past two years, with levels of financial stress returning to levels last experienced in 2022, money stress remains a significant issue for many people. According to the fourth annual DebtBusters Money-Stress Tracker which surveyed more than 27 000 respondents during May and June: 70% of respondents experienced money stress, down from 78% in 2023 and 75% in 2024. Although the extent of financial anxiety is declining, the impact on daily life remains substantial. Among respondents who said they still experience financial stress, 91% of them felt it affected their home life, 73% their work life and 73% their health. Women still bear a disproportionately higher burden of financial stress, with almost three out of four female respondents reporting feeling financially stressed. Women are around 10% more stressed about finances and 20% more stressed about work life, home life and health compared to men, although stress levels for both genders decreased by 5% to 15% across all facets of life since 2024. The shift is attributed to fewer national crises, such as less load shedding, reduced inflation and people starting to manage their finances better, allowing them to look beyond short-term survival. ALSO READ: Survey shows how economic distress erodes South Africans' savings culture Even small improvements decrease financial stress The Money-Stress Tracker worked with psychologist Andrea Kellerman, who notes that even a 5% drop in financial stress (from 75% to 70% in the past year) results in people sleeping and coping 'a bit better,' suggesting the profound impact even small improvements can have on resilience and perception. However, there are still key financial concerns. For people battling with financial stress, short-term concerns continue to dominate, with the top two running out of money before the end of the month and struggling to pay off monthly debt. The impact of interest rate increases, while still significant, subsided compared to 2023 and 2024. ALSO READ: Sarb: financial stability but financial distress in households and SMEs Different age groups have different levels of financial stress The survey shows that people from different groups have more or less financial stress: Age: Middle-aged (35 – 44 years) respondents had the most financial stress. Concerns about retirement increased for respondents older than 45 compared to 2024, indicating that this age group can now look beyond the short-term concerns which traditionally dominate. Middle-aged (35 – 44 years) respondents had the most financial stress. Concerns about retirement increased for respondents older than 45 compared to 2024, indicating that this age group can now look beyond the short-term concerns which traditionally dominate. Income: Lower-income groups are the most concerned about the impact of interest rate increases or unexpected expenses. While electricity costs are an elevated concern across all income groups compared to 2024, retirement worries are more pronounced in the upper-income brackets. People earning more than R20 000 a month remain in the group that experiences the most financial stress, often qualifying for and taking on more credit than their earning capacity allows. Lower-income groups are the most concerned about the impact of interest rate increases or unexpected expenses. While electricity costs are an elevated concern across all income groups compared to 2024, retirement worries are more pronounced in the upper-income brackets. People earning more than R20 000 a month remain in the group that experiences the most financial stress, often qualifying for and taking on more credit than their earning capacity allows. Region: Respondents from the Western Cape are the most financially concerned, surpassing Gauteng, which reported the most financial stress in 2024. The Western Cape is also where most people worry about unexpected expenses and retirement. Smaller provinces, such as the Northern Cape, Limpopo and Mpumalanga, saw significant increases in concerns about electricity costs and interest rates. The survey also investigated borrowing and debt repayment trends and found: 63% of respondents allocated 30% or more of their after-tax income to debt repayment, while 48% spend over 40% paying back what they borrowed, a level considered unsustainable. People older than 45 are under the most severe debt-repayment pressure, with 60% having unsustainable levels of debt. Respondents earning more than R20 000 a month also face considerable pressure to repay debt. This chart shows how much of their income the respondents spent on repaying debt: ALSO READ: How to minimise financial stress in your life What people are doing to combat financial stress However, the survey also shows that they are actively doing something about their financial stress: 37% of respondents reported actively cutting back on monthly spending, compared to 43% in 2022. This suggests savings fatigue has set in, Kellerman says. Seeking higher-paying or better jobs is a growing trend, with 35% of consumers exploring these options to make ends meet, compared to 26% in 2022. Younger consumers are more proactive about sticking to budgets and are almost four times more likely to seek better employment. The survey shows that 56% of the respondents are more intent on managing financial stress than people older than 35. Respondents elaborating on how they manage financial stress revealed a shift in coping mechanisms. In 2022 and 2023, people tended to seek better jobs or start a side hustle, while in 2024, debt counselling was the preferred way to relieve financial stress. Now there is a growing emphasis on entrepreneurial efforts, multiple income streams and financial independence, reflecting a move towards self-reliance and creating diverse sources of income. Benay Sager, executive head of DebtBusters, says that despite the slight reduction in overall stress, over 90% of South Africans with unsustainable debt do not proactively seek professional support such as debt counselling. 'This underscores the ongoing importance of stress-management programmes, financial education and awareness campaigns that address stigma and promote early intervention. It also highlights the need for innovative solutions to deal with financial stress, particularly those that help consumers stretch their money further.' ALSO READ: South Africans remarkably resilient despite economic challenges With less financial stress, people are sleeping and coping better Kellerman says the 2025 edition of the Money-Stress Tracker brought an encouraging insight that some might overlook at first glance: while overall financial stress levels dropped from 75% in 2024 to 70% in 2025, the impact of this change could be substantial. 'People are sleeping and coping a bit better despite elevated financial pressure. This 'disconnect' between the data and lived experience tells an important story about resilience, perception and the compounding effects of small improvements. 'It is well known that perception drives behaviour, and in 2025, that is more evident than ever. Although financial stress and pressure remain high for many, people report feeling more in control, more optimistic, as well as more willing to engage with support structures. 'However, for the first time in years, there was an overall sense of stability. The absence of large-scale disruptions such as load shedding or social unrest allowed people to regain emotional bandwidth and reframe their financial situation. With just a small decline in stress, people have begun to look beyond short-term survival.'

Mabaso calls on Joburg residents to safeguard RDP and social housing
Mabaso calls on Joburg residents to safeguard RDP and social housing

IOL News

time14 hours ago

  • IOL News

Mabaso calls on Joburg residents to safeguard RDP and social housing

The City of Johannesburg's Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, has made a passionate appeal to residents benefiting from government-subsidised housing to protect and maintain their properties. Image: Itumeleng English / Independent Media City of Johannesburg Member of the Mayoral Committee (MMC) for Human Settlements, Mlungisi Mabaso, has lashed out at Joburg residents who are beneficiaries of Reconstruction and Development Programme (RDP) and social housing, to protect and care for their properties. Mabaso criticised South Africans who refuse to pay for government services and those who damage and disrupt infrastructure during a site handover ceremony at the Riverside View Social Housing project, located north of Johannesburg near Fourways. "We have thousands of our people who want to be accommodated. If we can't collect rent and services, we cannot build new spaces. Everyone needs to be accommodated, and I do not agree with the notion that we should only focus on the RDP social housing programme. We need various housing solutions to cater to the needs of everyone. "Some need to be fully subsidised, and some are first-time home owners who are in the GAP market. They must be accommodated. Everyone must be accommodated according to their circumstances, and those who are called on to pay for services must do so to ensure that we can provide services in the future," he stated. The GAP market consists of workers who do not qualify for a full bond. They are subsidised by the government to buy their first home. 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 ✕ Ad loading On the City of Joburg's decision to find alternative accommodation outside of the CBD, Mabaso said this has been a conscious decision which ensures that everyone benefits from government social housing initiatives, including those who stay far from the city centre. "What we ought to do is to account for every cent spent on implementing our project, as this is a moving target and taxpayers' money. We can't squeeze everyone in the inner city, which is why we have decided to implement these projects outside the inner city. Some do not want to reside in the inner city. There have been quite some developments outside the inner city, and all of those are performing very well," Mabaso stated. Mabaso, alongside speaker Rufus Maswazi and CoJ Speaker, Margaret Arnolds, and Johannesburg Social Housing Company (Joshco) representatives, commended the residents of Diepsloot for not plundering and destroying a range of social housing projects, which have been launched to ensure dignity to low- and middle-class income earners. Arnolds commended Joshco and its partners for ensuring dignity to those who need it the most, adding that not everyone in the city enjoys a dignified home due to the limited government funding, which is unable to deal with the human settlement challenges in real time. "It's a great honour to be here for this groundbreaking project. Human Settlement is not only about housing, but also addressing special planning that keeps our people on the periphery. We must work hard in translating policy into progress to ensure vision for housing for all is not spoken of but implemented and realised. "This is a powerful example of the city's commitment to bringing safety and dignity to our people. It is very important that we reach out and integrate our people into spaces such as this one," she said.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store