ActionSA calls for Budget reform amid manufacturing sector crisis
In a statement released on Sunday, ActionSA Member of Parliament Alan Beesley emphasised the critical state of South Africa's manufacturing sector and the urgent need for decisive action.
'After over a decade of [African National Congress] ANC-driven policy failure, South Africa's manufacturing industry is bleeding,' Beesley said.
'Unless bold steps are taken, the Minister might as well include an annexure to his Budget Speech listing the companies likely to follow ArcelorMittal in closing their operations and shedding thousands more jobs.'
Godongwana is expected to re-table the 2025 Budget Review on 21 May, following the announcement by the National Treasury that it has withdrawn the proposed 0.5% Value-Added Tax (VAT) increase, which was scheduled to be implemented on May 1, 2025.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
5 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
After the Bell: SA's economy — it's the politicians, stupid
The main reason the US tariffs are having such a big impact on us is because we're so weak, yet our leaders seem impotent in the face of it. In the past couple of weeks, friends of mine who have come to Joburg for business or a meeting (or, in one brave case, to actually find a house to buy because they're moving back) have all used the same phrase to describe the city. They say, with some feeling, it's like 'a war zone'. What they're really pointing to is the visible damage to the city, the potholes that have been there for so long they have plants, trees and, in at least one case, a birthday party. And, of course, treated, drinkable water just flows down the street because Joburg Water is such a mess. At the same time, every minister and official and political person is now talking about the US tariffs. And watch, in about five minutes after you read this, they're going to start blaming the tariffs for our economic situation. Actually, it's really them. On Monday night, the Mpact CEO Bruce Strong told me on The Money Show that in the six months to the end of June, their facility in Ekurhuleni had been without power for 18 days. This is a 24-hour factory. It produces packaging and paper. Can you imagine workers sitting around with nothing to do for 54 whole shifts? It's the same in the Eastern Cape. For all of the tears being spilt around our car industry and the factories there, so many of their problems are really about local government. But no, we will be told it's the impact of the US tariffs. And, of course, as we all know, almost every council outside the Western Cape just can't manage their money. It's now at the point that National Treasury has in effect told the Joburg mayor, the ANC's Dada Morero, that it will refuse to pay some of their national grant, simply because Morero has done nothing to sort out how the money is treated. The coalition in Joburg is so fragile that Morero has not even appointed a new mayoral committee member for finance. Now, some of the smaller parties are demanding that their candidate, Kabelo Gwamanda from Al Jama-ah, must get the job. Just imagine this for a minute. You have a group of parties, some of them with just one councillor, insisting that their person take over the finance role in the country's biggest city. Knowing all along that they are largely responsible for the situation we find ourselves in. Last night, the ANC finally finished its long-postponed NEC meeting. One of its proclamations was that we are now in an 'economic state of emergency'. My first thought was that they had stolen the idea from Lesotho. Obviously, you have to ask yourself: How did it happen? Does the ANC really understand the role that its economic policy, and our broken politics generally, has played in this? Of course, you cannot blame one party. If you look at all of our neighbours, they have almost exactly the same unemployment rate as ours. Even Botswana, which so many kept saying was run so well for so long. Over the past couple of days, plenty of good well-meaning people have made the same point: we need a national effort, we need to work together to fix our economy. And, obviously, they're right. The main reason the tariffs, and everything else that is happening in the world (and it's a long list at the moment), are having such a big impact on us is because we're so weak. And yet, strangely, our leaders seem, well, impotent in the face of it. We need action, not a 'National Dialogue'. I can't believe I have to say this out aloud. But the one thing we absolutely do NOT need to do is talk. Now, I hate to have to say this, but do you believe there is any reason this is going to improve? Me too. Instead, what I think is going to happen is that our politicians, each chasing a smaller sliver of support, are going to shout and scream, and try to make it all about them. My greatest fear is that, in fact, we will end up with a national government in the future that is a lot like Joburg's now. Of course, nothing is predestined. There can be a lot of change. And, considering the nature of our society, there probably will be. But when our politicians start to blame the US, or Trump, or whoever, for our economic situation, we must remind them who is really responsible. It's the politicians. Not us. DM
IOL News
7 hours ago
- IOL News
News you should know tonight: Top 5 stories you may have missed on August 5, 2025
ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa says ANC-led municipalities cannot operate as they wish while citizens continue to endure poor service delivery. Good evening, IOL News family! It's Tuesday, August 5, 2025, and it's time for a wrap of the biggest headlines making waves in South Africa and beyond. Don't forget to join the IOL WhatsApp Channel to stay in tune, informed, and in the know. 'We cannot proceed as if it's business as usual' – Ramaphosa slams ANC municipalities over poor service delivery ANC President Cyril Ramaphosa says ANC-led municipalities cannot operate as they wish while citizens continue to endure poor service delivery. To read on, click here. Ad hoc Committee sets Friday deadline to finalise terms of reference in Mkhwanazi's probe At the first meeting of the newly established ad hoc committee, ANC MP Molapi Soviet Lekganyane was appointed to lead the committee investigating serious allegations made by KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner Lt-General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi. To read on, click here. Kenny Kunene ordered to apologise for calling Julius Malema a 'cockroach' Suspended Patriotic Alliance deputy president Kenny Kunene has no choice but to issue an apology to EFF leader Julius Malema for repeatedly calling him a cockroach during a television interview. To read on, click here. 'The President is both player and referee': Families fight Ramaphosa's attempt to delay apartheid justice case The Pretoria High Court will on Wednesday hear an application brought by President Cyril Ramaphosa and the government seeking to reinstate their opposition in the constitutional damages case. To read on, click here. Careers over cradles: Why fewer South Africans are having children South Africa's population is estimated to have reached 63.1 million in 2025, but behind the growing number lies a sharp and sustained decline in fertility rates; a trend that has sparked urgent questions about the nation's socio-economic trajectory. To read on, click here. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. IOL News
IOL News
10 hours ago
- IOL News
ANC Free State MMC to apply for bail amid fraud allegations
Fraud-accused Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality member of the mayoral committee for Social Development Pastor Mary Crockett is expected to apply for bail at the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate's Court. Image: Supplied A senior ANC ward councillor in the troubled Free State-based Maluti-A-Phofung Local Municipality is expected to appear before the Phuthaditjhaba Magistrate's Court to face fraud charges. Member of the mayoral committee (MMC) for Social Development, Pastor Mary Crockett, is scheduled to apply for bail on Wednesday after being arrested over the weekend for fraud, following accusations that she has been selling government houses and vacant sites in the area. On Monday, Crockett made a brief appearance, but the case of fraud against the Ward 28 councillor was remanded to Wednesday, August 6, and she remains behind bars. Free State police spokesperson Warrant Officer Mmako Mophiring confirmed that Crockett has been charged with fraud. 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 DA councillor Ana Motaung said the party believed it would be better that she be replaced as MMC pending the outcome of the case against her. 'Only the MEC (Free State Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs MEC Saki Mokoena) can remove her as a councillor, which he won't do until there is a court finding. 'But the mayor (of Maluti-A-Phofung, Malekula Melato) has the power to replace her as MMC,' she explained. Motaung added that the mayor appointed her, and she can remove her. 'The DA will commit to monitoring the court proceedings until the matter is fully resolved.' Maluti-A-Phofung spokesperson Thabo Khessah said it is still early days for Melato to make a determination on whether or not to sack Crockett. 'MMC Crockett still has to appear in court and follow due court processes. We need to emphasise that she hasn't been found guilty of any crime. Like any other person, she's presumed innocent until proven otherwise,' he stated. ANC Thabo Mofutsanyana regional secretary Jeff Mohapi said: 'The ANC awaits a report regarding the matter of which upon a receipt of such a report, it will act accordingly.' Crockett, known internationally as HIV/Aids pastor, has featured in a number of international publications and television news channels and for a number of years has run the Pheko Ka Kopanelo Development Centre to assist orphaned children.
