Designer. Artist. Jokes. Woke. She/her
Cape Town
Joined September 2010
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Ange Tuck retweeted
Monday Myths with AfSA
Today we publish our edition of Monday Myths on a Sunday because of the topic’s time sensitivity. There is a strong possibility that South Africa will be removed from the US list of AGOA beneficiaries tomorrow afternoon (2 November).
❎ Myth: Losing AGOA would wreck South Africa’s economy.
✅ Fact: The overall effect would probably be very small.
❎ Myth: So it doesn’t matter.
✅ Fact: Car manufacturers, fruit and nut farmers, and the communities that depend on them could be hit hard.
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A CLOSER LOOK
How does AGOA work?
The African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), introduced in 2000, allows certain African products into America without normal import taxes, called tariffs.
AGOA runs until December 2028, but the US reviews each country's eligibility annually. South Africa could lose its benefits for 2027, with a decision expected tomorrow (2 November).
Losing AGOA wouldn’t stop South Africa from trading with America. Some of our exports would just cost more to sell there. And America has to give 60 days’ warning first, so if it announces the decision by 2 November, the change would start on 1 January 2027.
What are the current tariffs?
Since July 2026, most South African goods have faced an extra 12,5% tariff. America claims South Africa isn't doing enough to stop imports made using forced labour, although some products are exempt.
Cars and car parts face separate tariffs of around 25%, while steel and aluminium face tariffs of up to 50%.
AGOA removes normal tariffs, not these extra charges. Without it, ordinary Most Favoured Nation (MFN) tariffs, averaging 3,5%, would return. Some products could therefore face an extra 3,5% in tariffs on top of the 12,5% they already pay, bringing the total to about 16%.
What will the effect be on SA's economy as a whole?
Probably surprisingly little.
Trade economist Donald MacKay argues that AGOA's benefits are exaggerated. The average saving is only 3,5%, while major exports such as gold and platinum don't depend on AGOA.
Professor Raymond Parsons of North-West University agrees that the overall economic impact should be manageable.
But individual businesses could lose sales and jobs, while uncertainty could discourage future investment.
Can other markets save us?
There is encouraging evidence. Daryl Swanepoel pointed out in Business Day that agricultural exports grew from $13,7 billion in 2024 to $15,1 billion in 2025. Growth in other markets more than compensated for declining American sales.
But some citrus, wine, macadamia and litchi producers depend heavily on American buyers. Finding new customers takes time, and they may pay less.
In the Western Cape, for example, struggling wine exporters could cut jobs on farms and in packaging, processing and transport. Families, shops and entire towns could suffer.
Which industries are most vulnerable?
Motor vehicles: Losing AGOA could raise tariffs on some cars from 25% to 27,5%. The existing 25% tariff has already helped reduce exports to America by around 80%, threatening factory jobs.
Citrus: Some oranges enter duty-free, but mandarins and tangerines already face 12,5%. Losing AGOA could add 1,5-2,5 US cents per kilogram. America buys only 5-6% of our citrus exports, but some growers depend heavily on it.
Grapes, raisins, apples, pears and wine: Additional product-specific duties could make exports less competitive against countries such as Chile and Peru. Western Cape jobs are particularly vulnerable.
Macadamias, fruit juices and other fruit: Some products enjoy exemptions, but ordinary duties could return. America is an important macadamia buyer and received nearly 29% of our litchi exports in 2025/26.
Steel, aluminium and precious metals: AGOA offers little protection against existing metal tariffs. Many precious metals remain duty-free anyway.
The bottom line
Losing AGOA wouldn't destroy our economy, but it could cost jobs and hurt entire communities.
We need to support vulnerable exporters, improve our ports, maintain talks with America and find new markets.
A small national loss can mean enormous local pain.
Sources: brookings.edu, businessday.co.za, businesstech.co.za, dailymaverick.co.za, eNCA on Youtube, netwerk24.com, news24.com, nwu.ac.za, wandilesihlobo.com, zonos.com
Ange Tuck retweeted
In a classic Zionist move, Christianic Cancel Culture Warrior The Kiffness uses his own kids as human shields against taking accountability for his actions. You know who else has kids? Imtiaz Sooliman - the man he gleefully endangered by accusing him of being a radical Islamist.
Ange Tuck retweeted
Some of u behave terribly because u believe anonymity/distance of a screen absolves you of basic decency/accountability. How are we to advance our collective interests & build a better society when our political discourse is reduced to crassness, pettiness & uncritical hostility?
Ange Tuck retweeted
The day the police will no longer raise their batons against people standing for human rights and against war-mongering and genocide, will be a beautiful day. The day the police will walk WITH the anti-apartheid and anti-war movement, it will be the beginning of a new era.
Ange Tuck retweeted
It is not lost to anyone with a memory how white racists instinctively seek Zulu nationalism, as a partner in their quest to divide and conquer. I hope those who lost relatives, were maimed and lost property in KZN, the East Rand, those who survived the violence on trains and hostels, will speak. The Zulu nation, a proud "member" of South Africa's rich tapestry, will tell us if they approve of right wing SA's renewed interest in them. And the rest of South Africa? Apartheid South Africa's financial and security support for the IFP cost this country dearly. Do we want that again?
Ange Tuck retweeted
If you can separate Christians from the KKK, you can separate Muslims from Al Qaeda and you can separate Judaism from Zionism.
Don't be a fucking idiot.
Ange Tuck retweeted
Call me "a South African propagandist, left-wing hack", I don't mind as long as people don't think I'm American
Ange Tuck retweeted
And the question, who benefits? Who would want South Africans who have lived and loved with Muslims for centuries, to suddenly, in 2026, turn against them? Who benefits? Where else is this happening? What is the agenda there? Is there an alignment between where this started and where it is spreading? And why are they not targeting other African countries with a formidable Muslim population? Why South Africa?
Ange Tuck retweeted
The humour with which South Africans have responded to the anti-Muslim influence operation? Top tier +27 humour as a trauma response conduct. 10/10, no notes. 💀😂
Ange Tuck retweeted
The avalanche of bots on the comment section of this @RediTlhabi post tells of everything you needed to know about the widespread concentration of lumpen paid influencers on SA social media. They swamped the comment section!
It must fail. We must not allow it. That mosque in Dlamini, Soweto, has been standing, proudly for decades. Kliptown was a melting pot of religions. Christian churches in our neighborhoods were also diverse. The people funding this campaign do not know how to live with "otherness"...they also have not studied South Africa properly. They think they can replicate what they do in their societies - building insular communities premised on "our people".....and superiority. Apartheid South Africa tried to divide Soweto according to tribes and languages. Our ancestors smashed that shit. Different tribes found their way to each other. It can be done again. People who only want their people, will not prevail.
Ange Tuck retweeted
We really need to expand knowledge and understanding on what Constitutional Democracy is :)
Ange Tuck retweeted
After yesterday’s post about the Russell Brand trial, my inbox was flooded with people claiming this is all just a coordinated media conspiracy.
Well, I hope those same people actually read what came out of Southwark Crown Court today, because Brand took the witness stand and completely shredded his own defense.
Under cross-examination, he openly admitted to "inconsistencies" in his evidence, awkwardly asking the prosecution for forgiveness.
Even more damning, his own barrister asked him if a single friend or colleague from twenty-five years in showbusiness was willing to stand up in that courtroom and speak for his character.
His answer was no. Not a single person would touch him with a barge pole. Think about what that actually means. Decades surrounded by entourages, agents, and industry friends, and not one human being is willing to take an oath on his behalf.
Then look at how he described women to the jury today.
He admitted saving a complainant’s name in his phone labeled with a degrading slur and a sexual act. When asked if a woman expressed reluctance to an encounter, he casually dismissed her hesitation as "coquettishness and coyness."
This is not a misunderstood free-thinker being silenced for his politics. This is an arrogant narcissist who used celebrity status to treat women like disposable commodities, and is now watching his carefully rehearsed narrative crumble under basic legal scrutiny.
Stop falling for the staged internet guru act. The admissions coming out of his own mouth in that courtroom tell you everything you need to know.
Ange Tuck retweeted
On 17/10, Nike London held an event for 5000 women to run after dark in safety.
Men showed up anyway, like they did in 2025.
Normally, J.K Molding has plenty say about protecting women in sports.
She's been silent on this one, because it was never about protecting women.
Ange Tuck retweeted
I’m tired of Christians acting like a persecuted minority in SA. There’s a church on every corner. People pray to Jesus before corporate events, meetings, and school assemblies. Christian holidays are public holidays while every other religious group takes leave. It’s enough
Ange Tuck retweeted
I really don't understand it when clever people do this. My piece ALSo says "But an honest celebration must also confront Lula’s contradictions." I then state Brazil's domestic record on poverty, crime and public services. I write "Concerns about crime, corruption and the cost of living cannot simply be dismissed." I make a further point "So our praise and solidarity must leave room for accountability when necessary."
I believe you saw these points. You skip over them to pick only the part that suits whatever point you wish to make. It's dishonest.
Defeating Bolsonaro does not sanctify Lula
dailyfriend.co.za/2026/10/28…
(Commentators – read: @RediTlhabi – wept with relief when Lula da Silva beat Flávio Bolsonaro in Brazil’s presidential run-off. They should save their tears for Brazil’s treasury.)
