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- Freedom Front Plus says that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call on South Africans to take up the challenge of the Jerusalem dance reminds Marie Antoinette saying that the poor and hungry should eat cake.
- The party said that South Africa now needs an economic recovery and not unnecessary lockdown regulations.
- Party leader Pieter Groenewald said it was becoming increasingly clear that the public was no longer paying much attention to existing lockdown regulations.
Freedom Front Plus says that President Cyril Ramaphosa’s call on South Africans to accept the challenge of the Jerusalem dance is reminiscent of Marie Antoinette, the last queen of France before the French Revolution, who allegedly said that the poor and the hungry they should have cake.
Ramaphosa made the comment when he announced that South Africa would move to Level 1 of the lockdown on Sunday.
“I urge everyone to use this holiday as family time, to reflect on the difficult journey we have all traveled, to remember those who lost their lives, and to quietly rejoice in the remarkable and diverse heritage of our nation.” There will be no better celebration of our South African identity than joining the global phenomenon that is the Jerusalem Dance Challenge, “Ramaphosa said.
FF Plus leader Pieter Groenewald said: “It is extremely disappointing that the president is telling South Africans to dance while the country is in an economic depression and has not been able to announce any feasible plans to achieve economic recovery.”
Groenewald said the move to Level 1 was to be expected, but what South Africa needed now was economic recovery and not unnecessary lockdown regulations.
“The FF Plus still holds the view that all restrictions should be lifted, with certain exceptions,” he said.
“It is understandable that there are some restrictions that must remain in force, such as a ban on large sporting events and a ban on travel to and from countries with high risk of contagion.
READ | Let’s show the world and do the Jerusalem dance challenge this Heritage Day – Ramaphosa
“Various sectors, such as the guest house industry, which is predominantly dependent on tourism, as well as the restaurant, film and arts industry, are desperately struggling to survive at this time and it is imperative to save them from ruin.”
Necessary tax relief
Groenewald said the curfew and restrictions on business hours could no longer be allowed. “The new midnight curfew is another incomprehensible government measure that doesn’t make any sense. It is not yet clear which sectors it will apply to.
“What is needed now is tax relief for individuals and business enterprises to increase disposable income to ensure economic growth after Covid-19. All of South Africa is an economic zone and should be treated as such. The package of economic stimulus that the government announced in April is insufficient.Political certainty is of utmost importance at this time.
“Social interventions such as the FIU-TERS Fund and social assistance grants are unsustainable and will not help the economy recover in the long term.”
He added that it was expected that international flights would resume, with restrictions on the countries from where and to where you can travel, given that there are still countries, such as India and Brazil, where the number of infections is at a minimum. will resurrect.
Countries should be classified strictly according to their level of risk, Groenewald said.
“It should be noted that South Africa is now moving into summer while the countries of the northern hemisphere are on the brink of winter, making those countries more susceptible to the spread of the virus based on available scientific data.
“International travel will provide a significant injection to South Africa’s tourism industry and make a crucial contribution to the country’s economy. Right now, there are thousands of South Africans, generally earning income abroad, who are now stranded in the country because they cannot travel. “
Closing regulations ignored
Groenewald said it was becoming clear that the public was no longer paying much attention to existing closure regulations.
One example is the funeral of ANC veteran Andrew Mlangeni who passed away last month. There the ANC itself broke the rules and no one was prosecuted. The regulations are obviously becoming something of a parody.
“However, it is still important that the public implement the necessary measures to keep them safe from the virus, but the time has also come to do everything possible to get the economy back to normal and back to normal,” Groenewald said. said.
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