Back in 1999, the then minister of finance, Trevor Manuel, pulled off a PR coup we still remember as “Tips For Trevor”. The campaign, which ran for another decade, gave South Africans the chance to contribute their two cents, whether advice, requests or howls of dissatisfaction, ahead of Manuel’s budget speeches.

In 1999, it was a good idea. It was catchy. It was cute. By reading out some of the suggestions in parliament, Manuel and his government gave the impression that the ANC not only listened to the public but actually took its suggestions seriously...

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