Tributum Newsletter #84
Hello
Budget 2026 was delivered this past Wednesday. Unlike the 2025 budget I think version one of 2026 will be accepted first time around. The immediate positive for us is the slight bracket creep adjustment in the individual tax brackets. It’s not much but with the increase in sin taxes we will still be able to buy some wine and hops juice for the braai.
But SA has limited space to manoeuvre. And while there are positives like getting off the grey list, improving our investment rating and having a budget surplus, the challenges remain. None more so than water and sanitation, the top priority on a list of infrastructure failures. Money has been allocated. But is that enough? Vusi Thembekwayo (I’ve mentioned him before) famously said that Africa’s cancer is that we continue to elect leaders who have built nothing and then we wonder why nothing ever gets built… YouTube link to clip: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/PlwLiqVdVSc
With limited space for movement you need to move well when you get the chance. When Bafana Bafana plays against Brazil its first priority should be to score a goal. The second is not to concede a goal. And especially not to concede an own goal. SA is not scoring too many goals let’s be honest. But man, are we scoring own goals…like Iranian ships taking part in war games despite the express orders of oom Cyril, like not getting water to the taps in the main economic hub of SA, like the NHI, like our stance on Russia etc.
I’ve said it before – it’s not only what you do that make you successful. It’s also what you don’t do. Unfortunately, SA errs on both sides of that statement – we don’t do what we should, and we do what we should not. And nowhere is there accountability.
The 28th of February will mark 7 years since I left the offices of my previous employer. If we get to 28 February 2027, this would be the longest employment period at a single employer since I started articles in 1999. Let me not kid myself and say that I am an entrepreneur. I am technically still employed, and the reality is that I am just working for myself. And similar to many employees my boss is a bit of an idiot sometimes…
I’ ‘ve scheduled a conversation with the man in the mirror. To make sure there is another 7 years, and more. To make sure it is better. To make sure that he is better. To make sure I am better. The date is set the agenda is known. Information has been gathered from sources, mainly those that are close to him and me. It will be a hard conversation. Maybe the mirror will break (oh no, just not 7 years being unlucky…). But the conversation with the man in the mirror will surely happen. When are you having yours?
Until next month, keep breathing.