POST MATCH REPORT OF THE POLITICAL SEASON
Who sits at the top of the log early on in the 2020 South African political season? And what does this outcome tell us about the future for all sides?
Over and above a run-down of the key legislation currently before Parliament, as well as the state of notable prosecutions, the first Barometer SA Bulletin for 2020 delivered the following insights:
A SOLID SONA REPORT
President Cyril Ramaphosa delivered a solid speech in the context of a difficult social, economic and political backdrop, ticking most of the essential boxes in this year’s State of the Nation Address (SONA). He owned and accepted South Africa’s economic state, acknowledged that South Africans were hurting and delivered a speech that was focused mainly on addressing the economy’s weakest links. He announced significant action plans around the energy sector, tackling youth unemployment and bolstering potential investment opportunities. But, as ever, these plans now depend on implementation, and there are too many weak links in the public service, and in Ramaphosa’s ability to execute, to be fully confident.
THE CHAMPION OF THE POLITICAL SEASON: 2020 BUDGET REVIEW
The 2020 Budget once again detailed a deteriorating fiscal crisis – the numbers are ugly. However, for the first time we saw true intent from the Ramaphosa government to bring about substantial reform, to embrace the private sector, be bold and take risks in an attempt to turn the economy around. The February Budget also showed that Ramaphosa and his “reformists” within the African National Congress (ANC) may finally be up for the fight. And, for that reason, there is finally some reason to be positive. Implementation will again be decisive, as will social compacting.
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Written by the Paternoster Group