Political manifestos usually unrealistic documents: Analyst

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The DA and EFF launched their
 election manifestos on the weekend. SABC

Professor Steven Friedman says across the board political manifestos are usually quite unrealistic documents.

Speaking on SAfm AM Live, Friedman said: "All political parties continue to promise things which are simply not possible, like the six million jobs."

Over the weekend different political parties launched their manifestos. In its manifesto, the Democratic Alliance (DA) promises to address jobs, education, corruption and equal education, party leader Helen Zille said on Sunday.

"The manifesto we release today is a 'manifesto for jobs... Job creation is only possible if we cut corruption," Zille said in a speech prepared for delivery at the launch of the DA's 2014 election manifesto in Polokwane, Limpopo.

"Jobs are possible. Six million real and permanent jobs are within our grasp if we seize the moment at this election... We will stop politicians and their families doing business with government."

The ACDP also launched its election manifesto in Soweto on Saturday

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) leader, Julius Malema, made a number of promises to thousands of his supporters at Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa on Gauteng's East Rand on Saturday.

However, according to Professor Friedman, the EFF is not going to be in government therefore they can make any promises because they won’t be called to implement those things.

Some of those promises are a minimum wage of R4 000 a month for all South African workers, with higher figures for several sectors. He said if elected, the EFF would expropriate land without compensation, nationalise 60% of the country's mines and banks, and take over all big retail stores.

The African Christian Democratic Party (ACDP) also launched its election manifesto in Soweto on Saturday. One of the things party leader Kenneth Meshoe mentioned was a coalition government after May 7 elections.

Commenting on ACDP manifesto, Professor Friedman says he doesn’t see a coalition government happening anytime soon and that it might only happen in 2019.-Edited by Sthembiso Sithole.

Click here to listen to Professor Steven Friedman.

This article first appeared on SABCNews site. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole.

Drinkers and smokers to pay more for their vices

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Sthembiso Sithole


Cigarettes will cost 68c more per pack of 20. (SABC)

Excise duties on alcoholic beverages (especially beer, sparkling wine and spirits) will increase by between 6.2 and 12 percent. There will be no rise in the excise duty on traditional African beer or beer powder, Finance Pravin Gordhan said during his 2014 budget speech.

Gordhan says:  “An increase in excise duties on alcoholic beverages and tobacco products are proposed, adding 9 cents to the price of a 340ml can of beer and 68 cents to a packet of 20 cigarettes.”

The Minister also announced an R4.80 increase of a bottle of whiskey.


The Minister chuckled as he said, “Members who want to leave right now to have their shot of whiskey before the increase, all these increases in sin tax come into effect immediately.”

Personal income tax relief amounts to R9.25 billion and about 40 per cent of the relief goes to South Africans  earning below R250 000 per year.

On the fuel levy and Road Accident Fund, the minister proposed an increased that will take effect from the second of April.

“In recognition of recent increases in the imported cost fuel, the general fuel levy increase is limited to an inflation-related 12 cents per litre, and the road accident fund levy will increase by 8 cents per litre.”

According to the Minister,  great strides have been made to improve the tax system.

Gordhan says: “We have also improved the fairness of the tax system by taxing residents on their worldwide income and taxing capital gains.”

These changes have brought the South African tax system more in line with international principals and have substantially broadened the country’s tax base.


This article first appeared on SABCNews site. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole during Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan's 2014 budget speech in Parliamnet.

SONA 2014: Public expectations.

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President Zuma has reiterated that SA
has a ‘good story’ to tell in his SONA.

As President Jacob Zuma puts the finishing touches on his State on the Nation Address, SABCNews Digital journalist Sthembiso Sithole took to the street to find out from people what their expectations ahead of Zuma's speech are. - See more at:

http://trendingnewsroom.com/channel/sabcnews/6563/sona-2014-public-expectations#sthash.hu1f1vGI.dpuf

http://trendingnewsroom.com/channel/sabcnews/6563/sona-2014-public-expectations

DA ponders charges against ANC

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Some of the DA supporters have expressed their dissatisfaction.

The Democratic Alliance (DA) is consulting with police on whether to bring charges against the ANC. This after the party called off their march for jobs on Wednesday after its supporters were forced to turn back by ANC supporters before they could reach the ruling party's headquarters at Luthuli House.






SABC Digital Producer Sthembiso Sithole unpacks #DAmarch on @SABCNewsroom DSTV404.

Click below to watch:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMKcF9VHNjU&list=TLzW9Bn57cjZ9ITYzruwR_yZDoGBaHXR4P

Service delivery protests hinder voter registration drive

Thousands of residents went on the rampage burning

properties during the voter registration weekend.
 Pic by@Chriseldalewis

Voter registration in some parts of the country were disrupted, as protesters were preventing Independent Electoral Commission (IEC) officials from doing their work.

At the Silvertown informal settlement in Port Elizabeth, protesters turned away both IEC officials and African National Congress regional leaders. They told the IEC to dismantle and remove theirs voter registration tent.

Angry Bekkersdal residents on Gauteng's West Rand attacked all voter registration stations in the area. Voter registration stations were temporarily closed due to the violent clashes between residents and the Red Ants, which have left scores of residents severely injured on Saturday.

In North West province, voter registration struggled to start in Majakaneng near Brits due to the on-going protests by the residents who demand drinking water.

Thousands of residents went on the rampage on Thursday, burning properties, barricading roads and disrupting learning at the local schools.

 Click below to see the PhotoSnack of service delivery protests.

http://www.photosnack.com/my-slideshows/details/p7tkqhnp?jsalbum=1

Despite on-going protests, IEC chairperson Pansy Tlakula has appealed to South Africans to allow people to exercise their democratic rights without any hindrance.

Tlakula says their rights should be respected.

Tlakula says: "We are appealing to South Africans to say to them, we are leaving in a constitutional democracy. So we all have rights, those who want to participate in voter registration should be allowed to do so and should not be intimidated. Those who want to stay it is also their right to do so."

Click below to see the Storify of Voter Registration drive.

http://storify.com/sabcnewsonline/last-weekend-for-voter-registration-drive

Speaking on AM Live on SAfm last week, Professor Steven Friedman said the reason why there are violent protests in South African townships is because people there are not listened to and taken seriously. Edited by Sthembiso Sithole.

Click below to listen to Professor Steven Friedman.

Download episode (MP3 688.0 KB)

This article first appeared at SABCNews. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole.

Service delivery grievances not taken seriously: Analyst

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One person was killed and another

injured in Sebokeng.(SABC)

Professor Steven Friedman says the reason why there are violent protests in South African townships is because people there are not listened to and taken seriously.

This follows a number of protests over the past 24 hours, most of which turned violent. More than 50 people were arrested after a library and a house were set alight by disgruntled Bronkhorstspruit residents.

Speaking on AM Live on SAfm, Friedman said: “What is happening in our townships at the moment is that, we don’t have enough information. Generally we have a problem where townships are only taken serious when people start burning things, start shooting at each other. We don’t take those people in those areas serious enough.”

One person was killed and another injured in Sebokeng in the Vaal, with Gauteng police now investigating who fired live ammunition during the protest action. Edited by Sthembiso Sithole.

Click below to listen to Professor Steven Friedman.

Download episode (MP3 688.0 KB)

Protester shot dead in Sebokeng

A protester was shot dead and another wounded during demonstrations in Sebokeng, south of Johannesburg, Gauteng police said on Wednesday.

 

Click below for comments on Storify: http://www.sabc.co.za/news/a/3386bd8042d47ba5bc1afe56d5ffbd92/Service-delivery-grievances-not-taken-seriously:-Analyst-20140602

 

This article first appeared on SABCNews site: It was done by Sthembiso Sithole.

Agang charts way forward after failed merger

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Helen Zille and Mamphela Ramphele

 slug it out on twitter(SABC)

Democratic Alliance leader Helen Zille says Agang SA leader Dr Mamphela Ramphele took advantage of her. This follows a failed merger between DA and Agang SA. Zille expressed her views on social media under her twitter handle @helenzille.

According Zille, Agang had pressure from donors who wanted a united opposition.

Zille tweeted: “No one forced the DA. Agang needed a lifeline. We gave it, they grabbed it but couldn't follow through. And by the way, it was not only one donor that put pressure on Mamphela. It was EVERY donor. They want a united, strong opposition.”

Instead of replying to Zille, Ramphele and her party are planning a way forward after their marriage with the DA failed.

Tweeting under @MamphelaR handle, Ramphele said: “It is unfortunate that many who were praise singing now choose to revert to games & name calling. I am afraid we did rush into it. We now need to re-focus on what @AgangSA has built, has brought to the political landscape, and our vision for SA.”  Edited by Sthembiso Sithole.

Agang plans way forward as DA gripe continues

Click below to see the tweets.

http://storify.com/sabcnewsonline/agang-plans-way-forward-as-da-gripe-continues

This article first appeared on SABCNews site. It was done by Sthembiso Sithole