Leaders of Saftu, Cosatu and the SACP leading the anti-austerity protest in Cape Town ahead of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement. All photos by Chris Gilili
BY Chris Gilili – this post first appeared at Elitsha
IN SUMMARY :
Protest Against Austerity: Hundreds of activists, social movements, and trade union members marched to South Africa’s parliament to deliver a memorandum against austerity measures, timed ahead of the Medium Term Budget Policy Statement (MTBPS).
Organising Groups: Key leaders from Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU), South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU), South African Communist Party (SACP), Cry of the Xcluded, Housing Assembly, and other social movements led the protest.
Statement from Protesters: Protesters expressed concerns over high living costs, unemployment, poverty, and homelessness. “A well-resourced budget is critical given the perpetuation of deep socio-economic inequalities in the country.” They argued that the National Treasury’s spending cuts will worsen South Africa’s social crisis.
Housing Assembly’s Response: Kashiefa Achmat from Housing Assembly criticized austerity: “Austerity is affecting all of us very badly… we don’t think our people will have houses built for them.” Achmat highlighted how affordable housing remains inaccessible to the unemployed and called for an end to austerity to prevent further poverty.
Saftu General Secretary’s Speech: Zwelinzima Vavi condemned budget cuts: “They are going to be boasting that there is a surplus in the budget…Voetsek! with austerity measures!” He warned that cuts will severely impact education, healthcare, and essential services, citing teacher layoffs and a 40% vacancy rate in hospitals.
Cry of the Xcluded’s Stance: Phumza Booi from Cry of the Xcluded highlighted the struggle with unemployment, citing her own experience of job insecurity within the Extended Public Works Programme (EPWP): “People only work in the programme for three months, and get terminated after that.”
Cosatu’s Demands: Cosatu general secretary Solly Phetoe called for a “people’s budget” addressing National Health Insurance (NHI) and land reform. He demanded a government response within 14 days to their demands.
Memorandum of Demands: The protesters demanded immediate government action to control food, fuel, and electricity prices, improve crime prevention, and boost safety and rehabilitation resources.
SACP’s Position: Benson Ngqentsu, SACP Western Cape secretary, criticized neoliberal policies: “As communists we are calling on this government to stop with neoliberalism…Implement the NHI now.”
Government Response: A deputy director general from the finance department accepted and signed the memorandum presented by the protesters.
MTBPS Announcement by Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana:
- Growth & Debt: Godongwana projected a 1.1% growth rate in 2024 and warned of unsustainable debt, which could reach R6.05 trillion by 2025/26.
- Budget Cuts: He defended budget cuts as necessary, saying, “We have restrained spending and maintained stable tax collection.”
- Public-Private Partnerships: Godongwana announced reforms to encourage private sector investment in infrastructure, aiming to offset public sector limitations. “We are amending the PPP regulations to simplify requirements for undertaking these projects.”
