Latest news with #RISEMzansi
IOL News
6 days ago
- Politics
- IOL News
'We will not be silent': RISE Mzansi marks youth day with bold call to action for SA's youth
RISE Mzansi commemorates Youth Day at the Hector Pieterson Memorial, vowing to continue the fight for dignity, safety, and opportunity for young people. Image: File RISE Mzansi has vowed to continue fighting for the issues that affect South Africa's youth, drawing a direct line between the struggles of 1976 and today's challenges. Speaking at the Hector Pieterson Memorial during a wreath-laying ceremony on June 16, RISE Mzansi National Leader Songezo Zibi MP delivered a scathing indictment of the country's failure to protect and empower young people nearly five decades after the Soweto uprising. 'Today, we stand here, 49 years since Hector Pieterson, Tsietsi Mashinini, and scores more bled and lost their lives for the liberation of this country and its young people. Their fight is far from complete, and the scars of that era still remain,' said Zibi. He said that while legislation like the Basic Education Laws Amendment Act exists, the current school environment remains hostile and dangerous. 'In the last year, there were 42 cases of rape; 96 cases of attempted murder; 1,214 cases of assault GBH; and 376 cases of rape at places of learning,' he stated. Zibi said RISE Mzansi had formally asked the Minister of Basic Education to deliver an Executive Statement in Parliament on June 24 to account for efforts being made to improve school safety and quality. 'The case of little Cwecwe is not an isolated one,' he added, referencing recent tragic incidents involving children. Beyond education, Zibi tackled youth unemployment head-on, condemning the government for presiding over a crisis where 'the youth unemployment rate is close to 50%, or just over 62% if you include young people who have given up on looking for work.' 'These young people are you; the ones gathered here today in the name of Hector Pieterson; they are our family members,' he said, adding that the current R370 Social Relief of Distress (SRD) grant should be transformed into a R35-billion investment in youth economic development. 'Let us fund the future, rather than plastering over our current problems.' He also raised concerns about a 'silent crisis' ravaging communities: gambling addiction. 'You look left, you look right, you see gambling advertising on TV, during sports matches, on social media, and even at Home Affairs,' said Zibi, warning that the addiction among young people aged 25 to 35 is spiraling. RISE Mzansi also highlighted the growing food insecurity affecting over 20 million South Africans, particularly children. 'Twenty-three percent of children suffer from severe hunger, which results in developmental problems such as stunting,' the party said, emphasizing the role of MEC Vuyiswa Ramokgopa in addressing the issue through food empowerment initiatives. Turning to the upcoming National Dialogue, RISE Mzansi expressed concern about the reported R700-million budget. 'The touted R700-million price-tag appears to be excessive,' Zibi said, saying the party would use its parliamentary oversight to ensure financial accountability. The party insists that the dialogue must 'address issues of justice in all its forms' and not 'escape the issue of ethical leadership across society, political, business, civil society, and academia.' 'RISE Mzansi will continue to fight for the South Africa we all deserve, and this cannot be done without working with and listening to young people,' Zibi said. IOL News
IOL News
27-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
RISE Mzansi calls for serious and visionary leadership to achieve true freedom
RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi urges action to build a free and prosperous South Africa. Image: Independent Newspapers As South Africans marked 31 years of democracy on Freedom Day, RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi called for a renewed commitment to serious leadership and economic reform, warning that true freedom remains elusive for millions. In a statement released on Saturday, Zibi said while Freedom Day honours the sacrifice of those who fought for democracy, the country still faces 'steep mountains to climb' before all citizens can experience real freedom. 'Apart from fundamental rights enshrined in the Bill of Rights, it is freedom from economic anxiety arising out of unemployment, poverty and inequality that millions deserve the most, but remains elusive,' he stated. Zibi criticized successive governments for squandering public funds, urging a focus on economic growth to deliver living wages and rebuild confidence in the country's future. 'To achieve that goal, we are going to have to draw from the example and experience of past leaders who, under difficult circumstances, set aside personal sentiments and took tough decisions in the interest of a better future for all,' he said. He emphasized that political leaders must resist the temptation of "playing to the gallery at each turn," warning that while such acts might attract headlines, they 'undermine confidence in one another and delay critical resolutions that will move South Africa forward.' RISE Mzansi stressed that Parliament's immediate task is to adopt a revised Fiscal Framework to enable meaningful economic discussions. 'It is only in growing the economy that we can reduce the angst felt by South Africans, but we will only achieve it if we are willing to take and accept tough budget choices made in good faith,' Zibi said.
Eyewitness News
24-04-2025
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Political parties claim withdrawal of VAT hike not due to DA, EFF court challenge
JOHANNESBURG - Political parties within and outside the Government of National Unity (GNU) claim the withdrawal of the value-added tax (VAT) increase had nothing to do with the Democratic Alliance (DA) and Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF)'s court challenge. Despite being a GNU partner, the DA took its bid to reject the 0.5 percentage point VAT hike to the Western Cape High Court, but a judgment hasn't been handed down yet. ALSO READ: - GNU to shift focus to conducting expenditure reviews on Godongwana's budget - VAT fight not over, says DA's Zille - Godongwana's intention to withdraw budget bills throws Parly programme into disarray The DA has claimed victory for the reversal of the VAT increase on Thursday morning, saying its legal challenge put pressure on National Treasury to find alternatives to the VAT hike. During a multi-party media briefing in Sandton on Thursday, GNU partners and opposition parties accused the DA of acting in bad faith during negotiations on the budget impasse. The political maturity of the DA has come under question, with RISE Mzansi leader Songezo Zibi slamming it for how it went about rejecting the contentious VAT increase. "There are going to be difficult days ahead, but I think it's quite clear who's got the maturity to be in the room when tough decisions have to be made and who's not." African National Congress (ANC) Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the withdrawal of the VAT hike was a result of the inter-party talks. "This is a process that required conversations among us, and I wish to state that the ANC and all these political parties agreed to pursue alternatives of funding the budget." Patriotic Alliance (PA) deputy leader Kenny Kunene said the DA was not the messiah it so dearly claimed to be. "A party of extortionists has failed to serve South Africans on an important matter of national interest. So, South Africans, don't be misled." Government will now begin the process of reviewing government expenditure to address the projected revenue shortfall.
IOL News
24-04-2025
- Business
- IOL News
We stand with the people of South Africa, not political extortionists
Following the decision to keep VAT unchanged, Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana and Parliament are now free to proceed with the rest of the Budget process without being held hostage by narrow political priorities that undermine existing legislation, says the writer. RISE Mzansi takes positive note of the Finance Minister's announcement, which begins the legislative process of keeping value-added tax (VAT) at its current rate of 15%. Moreover, the Finance Minister needed to own this process, given his and the Treasury's constitutional station and obligations, which come with a level of independence. This union of political parties with the aim of finding a solution means that the Finance Minister and Parliament are now free to proceed with the rest of the Budget process without being held hostage by narrow political priorities that serve to undermine existing legislation – such as making South Africans wait longer for land justice, and limiting the diversity in the country's schools. The reality is that while this is a win on one hand, on the other hand, we now have to find R75 billion over the medium term. This represents less than 0,04% of the Budget, which RISE Mzansi believes we can locate, whether through reprioritisation or revenue collection. Budgets are about expenditure priorities, which is why RISE Mzansi presented its topline priorities, such as funding for unemployed doctors; funding and capacitation for local governments; investment in rail for the safe and convenient movement of people and goods, and investment in water infrastructure. It is therefore very telling that some of the noisiest parties have not said what it is they wanted this Budget to fund. Some parties want to campaign on the issues, and not solve them, especially when it matters. When endorsing the Fiscal Framework, it was done with the knowledge that work would be done through negotiation and debate, not through the courts or political extortion. Going into this process, RISE Mzansi understood that leadership requires tough and smart decisions, which are not always popular or electorally profitable. We were elected to lead even when it is difficult to do so. This is one such moment. This is not the end of the Budget process, but only a step in the process, which will unfold on the floor of the National Assembly. We therefore call on all 400 Members of Parliament to place the interests of the country and people ahead of narrow politics, which all parties represented here have done. I would like to thank our voters and supporters for their commitment during this period. We have faced organised and well-funded attacks through misinformation and disinformation campaigns from political parties and their surrogate organisations. The work of finalising the Budget continues, and as RISE Mzansi, we will continue to play an active and transparent role, with the people and the country front of mind. RISE Mzansi National Leader, Songezo Zibi MP
