The month of April has proved once again that principled leadership and unwavering commitment to the South African people can deliver real results.
On the 1st and 2nd of April, ActionSA took a bold and principled stance by conditionally supporting the Fiscal Framework in both the Finance Committee and Parliament. Central to that decision was our explicit rejection of Treasury’s proposal to increase VAT and adjust income tax brackets by inflation. We warned from the outset that such regressive measures would devastate ordinary South Africans already buckling under the cost-of-living crisis.
Our position was met with mockery and scepticism, with many political actors saying the reversal was “impossible.” But we stood firm, mobilised behind the scenes, and built consensus across nine political parties – including the ANC – to reverse the VAT hike. While others rushed to the courts or issued hollow soundbites, we negotiated, persuaded, and ultimately delivered.
