31 October 2023

MEDIA ADVISORY: CryX to host Peoples' Budget Speak-Out outside Parliament!

On Wednesday, 01 November 2023, social movements, labour and grassroots organisations from
communities across the country will gather outside the national people’s parliament to urge the
government to reevaluate its austerity agenda and prioritise policies that prioritise the well-being and
prosperity of all citizens. On this day, Finance Minister, Enoch Godongwana will table the
Medium-Term Budget Policy Statement which sets government policy goals and priorities.

The South African government has deepened its implementation of austerity policies despite calls to
explore alternative policy approaches that can help address budgetary concerns without hurting the
most vulnerable. Over the past two months, the country witnessed tragic deaths when, two young
mothers from the Eastern Cape, overwhelmed by poverty and despair committed the unthinkable act
of harming their own children before taking their own lives. These are not alienated incidents as
more and more South Africans are being pushed over the edge by the cycle of harsh austerity.

In September, the Treasury proposed further spending cuts including a freeze to all vacancies and
infrastructure rollout programmes. One of the most immediate and visible impacts of austerity
measures on the public sector is the reduction in the quality and availability of public services. When
budgets are cut, public agencies are forced to make difficult choices. Education, healthcare services
and social programs are severely impacted. This directly affects the quality of life for ordinary
citizens, making it harder for them to access the services they rely on for their well-being. It creates
a cycle of poverty and inequality that is difficult to break, leaving those at the bottom of the
socioeconomic ladder in a perpetual state of struggle.
We strongly oppose the Treasury’s attempts to force government entities and departments to
significantly cut spending. Austerity measures exacerbate inequality. On Wednesday we will gather
to demand an end to government austerity measures. This demand is not just a mere cry for relief; it
is a call for justice, equity, and the well-being of our society as a whole. Austerity measures, while
often presented as necessary for fiscal responsibility, have taken a toll on our citizens, our
communities, and our future. We have had enough. We are calling on our people to rise up and urge
the government to explore progressive tax policies, tackle tax evasion, and invest in long-term
economic growth through infrastructure projects and education. These strategies can stimulate the
economy, create jobs, and reduce inequality.

- Implement a Basic Income Grant of R1500 per month for all unemployed and precarious
workers who earn below the national minimum wage: People are starving and without food,
to end this, the state should look to progressively introduce an unconditional universal basic
income grant. This basic income grant would boost the economy, creating demand for
products and services, and thus creating many jobs.
- Invest in job-creating alternatives: Mass unemployment, where almost 13 million people are
denied work and a decent livelihood, is the foundation on which an unequal South Africa is
built. The government must develop a low-carbon reindustrialization programme that can
create millions of jobs aimed at addressing climate change. The government has failed to
produce sustainable job creation programmes and we believe that they should look at
alternative ideas including incorporating the Right2Work in the SA Constitution. When we
demand jobs, we are not referring to precarious work, we demand decent work, where
workers have security, stability, and dignity. The impact of precarious work on workers is
significant. It leaves workers vulnerable to exploitation, and it makes it difficult for them to
plan for their future and make ends meet.
- Prosecute corrupt officials: Corruption is a cancer that eats away at the very foundations of
our society, eroding trust, hampering economic development, and perpetuating inequality. It
is a betrayal of the people's trust and a blatant abuse of power. Corrupt officials must face
severe consequences for their actions, including imprisonment and the confiscation of
ill-gotten gains, to deter others from engaging in corruption. Stop the looting.
- Tax the rich: In South Africa, wealth is concentrated in the hands of a small percentage of the
population, while the majority of people hold relatively little wealth. We call on the
government to implement a progressive net wealth tax of between 3 and 7%, increase
personal income tax rates on the rich, stop profit shifting and wage evasion.
- Combat Illicit Financial Flows: South Africa is losing more than R100 billion a year because
of illicit financial flows. Illicit financial flows hinder economic development. They enable the
 wealthy and powerful to evade taxes, depriving the government of revenue that could be
used to support the less fortunate in our society. This exacerbation of income inequality has
serious social implications, as it can lead to increased poverty, social unrest, and a lack of
trust in government institutions.

Neoliberal policies and systematic corruption is crippling the country and ordinary South Africans
are suffering. We call on South Africans, the working class, employed and unemployed, to unite and
demand tangible solutions to our current economic crisis.

Let the spirit of Veziwe Ntsizela and her three daughters move us into breaking the cycle of poverty
and despair!

Let the spirit of Bongeka Buso and her three daughters move us into providing support for struggling
mothers, and creating opportunities for them to improve their lives and the lives of their children!

Event details:
Date: 01 November 2023
Time: 10 AM – 12:30 PM
Venue: Outside Parliament
Plein Street
Cape Town

For more information contact:

Busi Mtabane on 083 329 7844