Attorney Michael de Broglio on: South Africa, Law, Politics, Attorneys, Sport, Photography, Technology, Gadgets, Media, Crime, Road Accidents Fund,
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I must say that the ANC NEC meeting in December produced the result that most business people and most city dwellers were hoping for. The more rural people still supported their usual candidate, in this case Jacob Zuma’s ex-wife, and that was to be expected. It is sad that the result was actually so close because between the two candidates I think one stood out by a mile and it is unfortunate that he won so narrowly, but it is still fantastic that he won. We saw an immediate bounce back in the Rand from around R14 in early December to constant strengthening the second it was suggested that Cyril Ramaphosa might be the likely favourite and more improvement after he did indeed win, even though the Rand was about R13,30 by the time of the conference because once words started leaking that he had more delegates, the Rand started improving there and then.
People forget how this flows into so many things and I am not saying that the Rand will remain strong – I think that over time it will start weakening again and it is going to depend on what the ANC does going forward – but in one quick move after 2 ½ years of slide in our currency putting us back to where we were in about mid-2015. Again, this illustrates the importance of making the correct choices, the importance of people taking part in marches, parades, speaking out and of course turning up to vote when it counts.
Some people might say, well, what difference will it make to me? The first difference you will see is a drop in the petrol price because the Rand is stronger. You will pay less money to travel somewhere (until the Government again raises fuel levies) and the cost of things imported from overseas will cost a little bit less. The companies that are transporting the groceries and vegetables to stores where you buy from will charge a little bit less for those things, so it either will not go up as much as was anticipated or otherwise in some cases they may come down. The benefits of living in a healthy economy are immense and there is a long, long way to go, but we must not underestimate the importance of a good result like this. It is time we grab South Africa back for South Africans and not for one family from India and another family from KwaZulu-Natal.
Posted by Michael de Broglio on Wednesday 31-Jan-18
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Comments
Brenda Du Toit said:
on Monday 05-Feb-18 04:48 PM
I am so happy to hear something positive. It is going to take a lot to change our country but we need to stay positive.
Sarah said:
on Monday 05-Feb-18 08:18 AM
They had a meeting last night and ask Zuma to step down, but he is refusing so they having an emergency meeting today . I am really glad to hear the positive news and glad to know people are doing something
Michelle said:
on Monday 05-Feb-18 08:07 AM
It’s so good to know that the year is starting off on a positive note. May we have such good news throughout 2018? I think other countries are also starting to have faith again in South Africa.
Bianca R said:
on Friday 02-Feb-18 08:26 AM
I think we are all looking forward and hoping for huge change as a result of the great news that broke in December! There unfortunately is a very long way to go before our economy can be restored to what it once was and a lot of work and change is needed to reap the rewards of a thriving economy.
Liz said:
on Friday 02-Feb-18 08:23 AM
I was ecstatic when it was announced that Cyril Ramaphosa had won, it brings a sense of hope back to South Africa and we will hopefully slowly but surely be able to rectify the immense damage that has been done.
Thabitha said:
on Thursday 01-Feb-18 08:57 AM
I hope this family will take the Zuma's to India for a change, I was so happy when Cyril Ramaposa won and I hope South Africa will be South Africa again. ANC need a proper spring cleaning before 2019
Alexis said:
on Thursday 01-Feb-18 08:55 AM
I am hoping for great change, however with the damage that has already been done - it is going to take a lot for the change to happen, but I do hope that Cyril does good to this country like we deserve - we have such a beautiful country and we should take care of it - very happy about the change
Prishani said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 04:49 PM
Our country really needed something positive like this! I think the whole country is optimistic and hopeful again which something that really needed to be restored amongst the citizens.
Henrietta said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 03:22 PM
I like Cyril and really hopes that he can make South Africa a better place again. It's sad to see and know that the ANC has allowed Jacobs Zuma to cause as much damage as he did. The Rand going up after Cyril has won is a statement. Wish I could say that next election ANC might go down but the is still a lot of people who believes in the ANC and their promises as we can see how close Zuma's ex wife came.
Melissa said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 03:04 PM
I am so glad that something positive is about to happen in this country. Change is good.
Melissa said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 03:04 PM
I am so glad that something positive is about to happen in this country. Change is good.
Mathilda Du Preez said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 03:00 PM
I was relieved when Cyril Ramaphosa won, It’s that little bit of light that is shining through on us and let’s hope the "positivity grows" as more changes comes
South Africa is such a beautiful place and we all need to stand together to insure not only a better future for ourselves but for our children
Daniella said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 02:42 PM
I think its great that Cyril Ramaphosa won. It's clear too see that one change can make all the difference, however I feel as though the voting in 2019 will be the make or break. I think people that didn't vote the last time have seen what a difference their vote would have made. It will be interesting to see.
Lucretia said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 12:55 PM
I must say, I was thrilled when CR won in December and it made me think of a quote from Abraham Lincon, "you can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time but you cannot fool all of the people all of the time". The winds of change are starting to blow in our favour. I do believe CR is the best man for these changes and because he is a business man, let us hope he runs the economy the way he would run a business......
Jadine Richards said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 09:49 AM
The strengthening of our currency is really encouraging and does give one hope that not all is lost. I am particularly looking forward to the fuel price going down on the 7th and if the rand maintains its momentum all the other incentives that come along with it. Its about time this country received some good news.
Angelique Jurgens said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 09:40 AM
It is great news indeed - off topic but we woke up to the finance minister announcing a 2% increase to VAT. So we should brace ourselves. I am no economist but it is not great to my pocket - perhaps to the country as a whole IF the funds are not mismanaged. This is going to have a huge impact on the poor and working class and may just impede the growth of the South African economy. This is going to be an interesting year... all up until 2019. Buckle up people that 2% increase to our cost for living all adds up.
Megan said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 09:03 AM
I have to agree with Jess A, there is wrong in our Country and it would be great to see things rectified. I truly hope genuine equality is in the near future and a rise in our global status. To paraphrase Donald Trump: make [South Africa] Great.
Jessica Apfel said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 08:36 AM
Cyril's appointment is a breath of fresh air and the recent World Economic Forum in Davos has reassured Foreign investors and has yielded an all round positive feedback! Today is the final day that Zuma may make representations agaisnt his fraud charges that have been reinstated - so he may not be our president by the end of the week! Let's hope for the best
Bianca N said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 08:26 AM
I think it's sad that even when the Zuma family proves that their loyalty is only toward themselves and not to us as the citizens of South Africa, there are still people who believe their empty promises and still believe that they will take care of our country. I am glad that Cyril won, and it is clear in the strengthening Rand that it was the best decision. We must all do our part and vote when the time comes, to ensure that we form part of a growing and healthy economy that will not only benefit us, but our fellow South Africans and our children. It is time we take back our country. It is such a beautiful place to live in, and although this has been clouded by the selfishness and corruption of our government it could be beautiful again if we all stand together and get rid of the people who try so hard to abuse the power they were given by the people for their own selfish reasons.
patrick said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 08:21 AM
For me 2019 will be real deal . If the Anc does not clean its house quicker, Eff is going to emerge as darling . They might be on radical path but they making the sort of noise that those left out of economic activities wants to hear .
Clare said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 08:18 AM
This is actually so positive I am happy read something positive about our country for once, I believe that we will be happy one day.
Jadine E said:
on Wednesday 31-Jan-18 07:05 AM
The week of the ANC meeting showd a huge difference already when Cyril Ramaphosa was elected. Just shows what difference change can bring.
Johannesburg based attorney specializing in personal injury matters including Road Accident Fund claims and medical negligence matters. My interests include golf, reading and the internet and the way it is constantly developing. I have a passion for life and a desire for less stress!
