Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast
Results 1 to 10 of 18

Thread: No surprises from Trevor?

  1. #1
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    JHB
    Posts
    271
    Thanks
    73
    Thanked 76 Times in 56 Posts

    No surprises from Trevor?

    Yet another predictable budget speech - should we be thankful or get up in arms?

  2. #2
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    561
    Thanks
    32
    Thanked 49 Times in 32 Posts
    IMHO - Trevor for president.
    Regards

    Debbie
    debbie@stafftraining.co.za

    From reception to management training, assertiveness, accountability or interviewing skills, we have a wide range of training workshops available for you!
    www.stafftraining.co.za

    Find us on
    Facebook

  3. #3
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    13 years at it and it shows.

    I think he did a really great job. Very sensible. Focused on all the right things, including IBT

    The relief is going into all the right places. It's the right year to let the budget deficit blow out a bit. And this year I think his growth projections were a lot more realistic than last year (the only time I've ever felt that Trevor has been really off the mark of late).

    I particularly like this "make it count" attitude.
    Nevertheless, Manuel stressed that while spending may increase, it was the effective distribution of cash that remains paramount, calling on government to become more efficient, effective and economical.

    "It's what the money buys that matters and so fixations with the size of deficits or surpluses are illusory detours," he said.

    "In the period ahead it will be necessary to take stronger action in pursuit of efficiency and better targeted expenditure," said Manuel. "There is insufficient control of foreign travel, advertising and public relations activities and consultancy services.
    extract from M&G here

  4. #4
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    Having slept on it and listened to Trevor at the budget breakfast this morning, that 1.2% growth estimate might be more a goal than a hard expectation...

    But you've got to shoot at something.

  5. #5
    Platinum Member Marq's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    1,297
    Thanks
    73
    Thanked 283 Times in 216 Posts

    Actual Vs budget

    Where does one view the country's Annual Financial Statements and a comparison of year on year numbers against the budgets that have been set in the past?
    The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.
    Sponsored By: http://www.honeycombhouse.com

  6. #6
    Platinum Member Marq's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Posts
    1,297
    Thanks
    73
    Thanked 283 Times in 216 Posts

    Thumbs down

    I listened to parts of the budget breakfast meeting this morning and the only thing that was confirmed for me, was that Trevor is a seasoned politician who waffled on and did not really answer any of the questions asked of him.

    For example, I think it was in relation to the seta's - He threw a few percentages out and told them all that it is a group effort - that it is not up to him or organised business or organised crime etc, but a collective effort based on requirements out there. This tells me there is no responsibility on the governments part and they will 'discuss' and 'plan' forever until some agreement is reached on what must be done before they come to a how much and then actually put the money on the table. I do not see anything positive happening in this area for a long time. In the meantime it carries on/becomes just a distribution point for getting bucks to buddies programme.
    The cost of living hasn't affected its popularity.
    Sponsored By: http://www.honeycombhouse.com

  7. #7
    Gold Member garthu's Avatar
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Midrand
    Posts
    595
    Thanks
    39
    Thanked 65 Times in 55 Posts
    Hi Marq, dunno know. Trevor is probably the only politician i have any respect for, especially right now and he has by far the most challenging post at the moment. I moan and complain about them all (probably get beaten at a braai since i don't vote), I agree with him that's it's not his job, it's the guys responsible for that post that need to give answers. Just like accountants at a business, his responsibilty is how much to where, not who actually ends up with bribe, payment or whatever it might be at day end..

    I have a tremendous amount of respect for a man that come through making most people happy in the economy, even if i dont agree with his opinion (which of course is quite acceptable), i believe he can see something i cannot to have done it the way he has... just my opinion
    Garth

    Electric fence Installation : www.midrand-electronics.co.za
    Free Classified Adds : www.bgone.co.za

  8. #8
    Site Caretaker Dave A's Avatar
    Join Date
    May 2006
    Location
    Durban, South Africa
    Posts
    22,648
    Thanks
    3,304
    Thanked 2,676 Times in 2,257 Posts
    Blog Entries
    12
    I'm not surprised he was cagey about going into SETA issues. SETAs don't fall under his department and they don't draw from his fiscus. SARS only collects the money on behalf of the NSDF and SETAs. However, I'm sure he does have his own views, but is obliged to consider his words carefully.

    I suspect he didn't get away with his unilateral change of the SDL threshold entirely unscathed.
    Quote Originally Posted by Marq View Post
    Where does one view the country's Annual Financial Statements and a comparison of year on year numbers against the budgets that have been set in the past?
    Good question. It would be great to see an actual vs budget comparison.
    Quote Originally Posted by Marq View Post
    the only thing that was confirmed for me, was that Trevor is a seasoned politician who waffled on and did not really answer any of the questions asked of him.
    But he is a politician!

    Quote Originally Posted by garthu View Post
    Hi Marq, dunno know. Trevor is probably the only politician i have any respect for
    Certainly one of the few in my book. There are a couple of others.

    And it's not like Trevor isn't critical of some of what is happening in government:
    One set of unpleasant truths he identified were "programmes of government that do not work, and on which we should spend less".

    Manuel did not name them, although he pointedly expressed the hope that the R1.6 billion budgeted to support national carrier SAA's turnaround strategy would not be a recurring allocation.

    He also mentioned that there was insufficient control generally of foreign travel, advertising and public relations activities and consultancy services. Stricter oversight was required of such activities and executive remuneration in agencies and government enterprises, he said.
    extract from Business Report here
    It's just that the most he can do is hold other departments to their budget. And we know what happened with the bus subsidy story. SAA probably falls into the same category. How hard can you press the issue just from controlling the purse strings?

    Responsibility for those cock-ups belong elsewhere and we all need to do our little bit to bring pressure to bear so that the culprits do get held accountable.

  9. #9
    Gold Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2006
    Posts
    561
    Thanks
    32
    Thanked 49 Times in 32 Posts
    Hi Marq

    Pity you missed the whole speech - thing is Trevor pulled no punches. At the end of that speech there were more disgruntled ANC ministers than from opposition parties. He was downright straight with his message. Those that need it - this is what we can afford - we can do more if it is not wasted/defrauded at operational levels and once we are able to guarantee sustainability.

    As far as the SETA's go? Not his department, but he also said to the journalist ASK THEM why? I think he meant it. A lot of his speech was about accountability and I got the distinct impression that he has worked his butt off for this country and is now saying - "your turn" to the others in civil service.

    If we can find 26 ministers as upfront, eloquent and passionate as this guy, MAN will this country ROCK!

    Oh yeah and by the way there will be free castle and amstel at all voting stations this year!! *wink*
    Last edited by Debbiedle; 12-Feb-09 at 02:02 PM. Reason: alzheimers
    Regards

    Debbie
    debbie@stafftraining.co.za

    From reception to management training, assertiveness, accountability or interviewing skills, we have a wide range of training workshops available for you!
    www.stafftraining.co.za

    Find us on
    Facebook

  10. #10
    Silver Member
    Join Date
    Jun 2008
    Location
    JHB
    Posts
    271
    Thanks
    73
    Thanked 76 Times in 56 Posts
    Agreed! I quite enjoyed the bit where he admonished the MP's: "don't look away" when he was passing comment about curbing expenses etc. - a subtle reference to Travelgate..

Page 1 of 2 12 LastLast

Similar Threads

  1. Look at the tender specifications - Trevor Manuel
    By Dave A in forum General Business Forum
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 02-Apr-11, 09:24 PM
  2. My Tip for Trevor
    By duncan drennan in forum Energy and Resource Conservation Forum
    Replies: 33
    Last Post: 12-Feb-09, 11:16 AM
  3. Who are the candidates to replace Trevor Manuel one day?
    By Dave A in forum Business Finance Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 17-Jun-08, 11:17 AM
  4. Trevor Manuel say we need to keep it simple.
    By Dave A in forum General Business Forum
    Replies: 0
    Last Post: 07-Oct-06, 06:48 AM

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Did you like this article? Share it with your favourite social network.

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •