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The Citizen
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
Ramaphosa government's failure is real cause of SA's crisis
The government has hollowed out South Africa's industries, ignored citizens' needs, and aligned with pariah states while SA crumbles. It is disingenuous of the government's majority party to attribute failure to any specific economic, minority or racial group. Failure in South Africa can be attributed to a single author: the government of President Cyril Ramaphosa itself. For almost 10 years, it has mismanaged every aspect of our country and economy. It has shattered the hopes and dreams of the nation and awakened an anger long since believed gone. But the anger is real and growing. Our world leading industries have been reduced to fiascos as a result of government intervention. Our defence industry, manufacturing industries, energy sector, transport industry and many others are all now hollowed out shells of what they once were. Yet, as the smallest and most insignificant member of the Brics Plus alliance, our leaders attempt to position themselves as world leaders with power and influence. They level threats at major international powers as though they are able to back up their threats. But they are not. The government has denuded the state of all of its power. Credible influence requires real power – something the government apparently fails to understand. And power is not just given. It is earned and then it ought to be cherished. Instead, the government uses what little power it has left to abuse and ignore the will of the people. Instead, it values illegal foreigners more than it does its own people. The government's reliance on its alliance partners to loan money we cannot afford or will ever be able to repay is shocking. And like a mafia organisation, it spends that money on its faction and not the people. ALSO READ: When voters choose chaos over change The ANC likes to boast that it single-handedly 'won the war' against the pre-1994 regime. It did not, and it failed to win the peace. Instead, it destroyed the peace that was given to it and plunged the country into desperation, disunity and despair. It loves to selectively quote some ideologues and liberation movement leaders, but it is unable to put any of the quotes it throws around into any semblance of positive action. It forgot the words of Nelson Mandela: 'If the ANC does to you what the apartheid government did to you, then you must do to the ANC what you did to the apartheid government.' The people have not forgotten these words. ANC ministers have continually ignored, humiliated and marginalised the citizens in their greedy and corrupt quest for self-enrichment. But no nation is as dangerous as one that has been humiliated. The country does not need another costly and time-consuming National Dialogue to tell us what is wrong. It is just another unaccountable hoax to deflect from failure – and add more money into the pockets of his faction and his cadres. We all know what is wrong but we need a government that has the drive and will to fix what it broke and continues breaking. Our government has neither the drive nor the will to fix anything. It makes dehumanising and slanderous racist remarks about minority groups and then organises marches against racism. ALSO READ: Local government has become graft warzone It devises ways to chase away businessmen and those who feel threatened by the total collapse of law and order. And then it criticises people of all races for fleeing to safer lands. It supports states that sponsor terrorism in Africa and then argues it wants to bring about peace. Instead, it proves that it supports pariah state-sponsored terrorism in Africa where the victims are predominantly black. It aligns with terror-sponsoring and narco-states in its quest to sacrifice the people for its greed-based ideology. It has no care for the human rights of its own citizens. Instead, it is prepared to throw us to the wolves as long as it can remain in power and steal and bribe its way into riches. The government claims it is nonaligned and supports the human rights of people everywhere. But it does not practise what it preaches and the international community has taken note of its duplicity. Our people are denied the 15 basic human rights as determined by the South African Human Rights Commission: the right to equality, human dignity, life, freedom of security, and the list goes on. It is said that people get the government they vote for. And although we voted, we did not vote for the government's blame game and failures. If the government refuses to govern for the people, we must take action as citizens of South Africa. NOW READ: The credibility of the National Dialogue is at stake
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Business Standard
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business Standard
India must stand up to Trump's bullying ways, no matter the price
India must make its economy more outward-oriented but for its own Reasons - not to cater to Trumpian demands Shyam Saran Listen to This Article The past week has been a wakeup call for India. Optimistic assumptions of an upward trajectory in India-United States partnership during Donald Trump's second presidency have been rudely shattered by a 25 per cent tariff on his 'friend' India, threats of unspecified penalties for buying oil and weapons from Russia and petroleum products from Iran, and for being a member of Brics Plus. He has also disparaged the Indian economy as a dead weight bound to go down the drain, just as he expects his erstwhile friend Russia to do. This is no longer a trade and tariff war —
The Citizen
10-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Why South Africa must act fast after Trump's tariff blow
While the 30% tariff is a tough pill to swallow, South Africa must stop reacting to global trade shocks and start preparing for them. US President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order after delivering remarks on reciprocal tariffs during an event in the Rose Garden entitled 'Make America Wealthy Again' at the White House in Washington, DC, on April 2, 2025. Picture: Saul Loeb / AFP The decision by US President Donald Trump to impose a 30% tariff on certain South African imports is more than a trade technicality – it's a blow to an already fragile economic relationship. For many South Africans, especially those in agriculture, manufacturing and mining, this move feels like a punch to the gut. But while the tariff hike – which takes effect on 1 August – is a setback, it should also serve as a wake-up call for South Africa to reassess its global trade strategy and take decisive, calculated action. Let's be clear: the US is within its rights to protect its industries, but the rationale behind this tariff is not clear. Some say it's about trade imbalances; others suggest it's tied to South Africa's non-aligned stance on global conflicts, especially the Russia-Ukraine war, as well as its affiliation with the BricsPlus bloc. Others say this action is less about trade and more about a show of power by the Trump administration. Whatever the reason, the implications are real. Jobs are on the line, exports are at risk and investor confidence is under pressure. In practical terms, South African goods entering the US market are now significantly more expensive. That citrus farmer in Limpopo or the steel manufacturer in Gauteng suddenly find themselves priced out of a crucial market. ALSO READ: Where Trump's tariffs will hurt most For a country with already high unemployment and limited fiscal space, this couldn't have come at a worse time. But despair is not a strategy. South Africa has options – and it must act fast. The global reality is that the aggressive US tariff policy is creating a fragmented world trading system that further elevates economic uncertainty. While there is a great deal of fear psychology about just now, South Africa is not without remedies. First, Pretoria must reopen immediate diplomatic channels with Washington. This is not the time for pride or passive commentary. South Africa must make the case that it remains a vital, responsible economic partner and deserves reconsideration or at least clarification. As a small open economy, it remains essential that bilateral negotiations must continue to stabilise and consolidate future US-SA investment and trade relations. Second, the government should not hesitate to take the matter to the World Trade Organisation if the tariffs appear to violate established trade norms. We can't let precedent be set without challenge. Third, this is a golden opportunity to double down on the African Continental Free Trade Area. By boosting trade within Africa, South Africa can reduce its dependence on volatile external partners. ALSO READ: Wait-and-see to Trump's hardline Why fight for crumbs at someone else's table when we can help set our own? We also need to diversify aggressively. Our overreliance on Western markets, especially the US, leaves South Africa vulnerable. South Africa should strengthen ties with Europe, Asia, the Middle East and fellow Brics countries. New trade deals, expanded market access and regional value chains must become central to our economic diplomacy. Lastly, government support is essential. Industries directly hit by the tariff hike must not be left to weather the storm alone. Targeted relief, export incentives and skills development programmes can cushion the blow and maintain momentum. Collaboration between government and the private sector to accelerate the identification of alternative markets must continue. The 30% tariff is a tough pill to swallow, but it also offers a moment of clarity. South Africa must stop reacting to global trade shocks and start preparing for them. In doing so, we can turn a trade crisis into a turning point for a smarter, more resilient economic future. NOW READ: Ramaphosa disputes Trump's 30% tariff claim as 'not accurate'
