Author:sharmini-naidoo
The merits of a national dialogue July 2, 2025 Can a national dialogue unite South Africans, or is it just more costly shoptalk? As R700 million is earmarked, SHARMINI NAIDOO says the country is bracing for a bold โ and controversial โ experiment. At this yearโs State of the Nation Address (SONA), President Ramaphosa introduced the concept of a national dialogue in which all South Africans were called upon to โchart a new path for our countryโ. โI call on […]
VAT vs the fuel levy trade-off June 22, 2025 On 21 May, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana presented his SA Budget โversion 3.0โ in parliament. SHARMINI NAIDOO reports that, with the VAT increase off the table, the minister needed to find another way to plug the gaping hole. Godongwana made it very clear that this was not an austerity budget, but a redistributive one. He indicated that the budget was a reflection of the difficult trade-offs needed to balance fiscal sustainability […]
The VAT debacle as it unfolded May 20, 2025 The proposed VAT hike sparked political fallout, court battles, and public confusion. SHARMINI NAIDOO unpacks the drama behind South Africaโs tax policy U-turn. In 1936, US President Franklin D. Roosevelt was quoted as saying that taxes โare the dues that we pay for the privileges of membership in an organised societyโ. The purpose of taxation was, and still is, for governments around the world to collect revenue to provide public goods […]
Bus industry โ not a bed of roses! April 9, 2025 The bus industry faces mounting challenges, from fatal crashes to arson attacks. As safety concerns rise, SHARMINI NAIDOO calls for urgent action and accountability. During March and April this year, the bus industry came under the spotlight for all the wrong reasons. There were a few horrific and tragic bus accidents that unfortunately claimed the lives of many of our passengers and, in some cases, our drivers. The accompanying […]
The chickens have come home to roost March 3, 2025 The postponement of the 2025 Budget Speech due to opposition resistance to a VAT increase marked a turning point in South African politics. This highlights the crucial role of public consultation, a principle repeatedly overlooked in policymaking. As industries brace for uncertainty, SHARMINI NAIDOO says questions remain about government accountability and financial sustainability. In a shocking, unexpected, and unprecedented announcement, the 2025 Budget Speech was postponed to 2 March due […]
Another difficult year for the bus industry looms February 24, 2025 Sharmini Naidoo writes that although Brand South Africa has heralded 2025 as โSouth Africaโs year of transformation and global leadershipโ, more challenges await the bus industry this year. This year, South Africa assumes the G20 presidency and will showcase its progress at the World Economic Forum. โThe year ahead marks a defining moment in the nationโs trajectory as it seeks to lead transformative dialogues and create pathways for progressโฆ […]
2025: expansion, hope, and the new January 14, 2025 Whether you believe in any of this yearโs predictions does not matter; they may still influence the choices and decisions we make as we seek to carve our destiny, writes SHARMINI NAIDOO.ย Mathematically, 2025 is a perfect square, as 45 x 45 = 2,025. Perfect square years are rare occurrences that carry deep spiritual and cosmic significance, and previous examples like 1936, 1849, 1600, and 1225 saw lots of social and […]
Will it ever be a government by the people, for the people? December 10, 2024 South Africaโs democracy was built on the promise of transparency, accountability, and public participation. Former President Nelson Mandelaโs words during the adoption of the Constitution in 1996 echoed this hope for a government that truly serves its people. Yet, decades later, we are left to ask: โIs this promise being fulfilled?โ SHARMINI NAIDOO takes a deep dive into the role of public participation in governance, […]
Good parenting means setting aside differences November 5, 2024 In recent years, the South African government has faced numerous economic challenges, including balancing budget constraints with the need for inclusive development and effective public transport systems. SHARMINI NAIDOO points out that a balanced investment in all modes of transport is vital. Leadership is defined as a personโs ability to motivate those around them toward a shared vision. It involves a form of power that enables one to influence the values, […]
People to see and places to beโฆ October 1, 2024 What exactly does transport mean for humankind? SHARMINI NAIDOO explains that we donโt use transport for the fun of it, but because โweโve got people to see and places to beโ! The main purpose of transportation has been defined as โconnecting people to destinations they valueโ. It is an essential component of a functioning society and plays a vital role in the development, communication, and coordination of all sectors of […]
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