If President Cyril Ramaphosa intends to keep the faltering flicker of co-operation between business, labour and government alive, his administration had better wake up.It’s no good telling SA that you’re very sorry, but there’s no money to support businesses — or their staff — that have been cut off at the knees by the blanket alcohol ban, a strict curfew, and the nonsensical decision to keep beaches closed.That Ramaphosa could glibly say this, while maintaining a bloated cabinet of 28 ministers, as well as deputy ministers, directors-general and deputy DGs, along with a VIP protection service racket, is to court anguish and wrath among SA’s increasingly desperate citizens. Yet these are the same businesses expected to "bite the bullet", as the National Treasury put it so bluntly this week, and stump up more tax to fund a mass vaccine rollout.The contract between taxpayer and government should be a straightforward and respectful quid pro quo: the state is paid money which it is obli...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.