Take Rand Manipulation Seriously

Here’s the uncomfortable truth about this 2.01 trillion collected by SARS That money didn’t come from thin air, it came from citizens who are already under pressure, people paying income tax, VAT on almost everything they buy, fuel levies, and small businesses trying to survive in a tough economy When politicians celebrate big tax collections like this, some of them look like clowns because they are cheering a number without acknowledging the pain behind it Many South Africans are dealing with unemployment, rising food prices, expensive fuel, and slow economic growth Higher tax collection often means people are paying more, not necessarily that the economy is thriving If people were earning more, if businesses were booming, if unemployment was dropping, then it would make sense to celebrate because it would reflect real growth But right now, it feels like the burden is increasing while service delivery, infrastructure, and accountability are not improving at the same pace So the frustration is not about the number itself. It is about what people are getting in return