Almost four months into the year, it already feels like there is a sense of year-end fatigue in the air. Many significant events occurred this week that shook Joburg and the world. From international tariff hikes to GNU chats to anti-GBVF protests in the country, it was another tough week to be a Joburger. As Joburgers, this week’s events call for a moment of pause and reflection. A moment to see how far we have come.

International hikes

USA President Donald Trump announced tariff hikes for various countries, including South Africa and China. He announced a 31% tariff increase for South African products. This follows strained relations between US & SA. If these tariff increases are anything to go by, things will get worse before they get better. The biggest spanner in the works was the 145% tariff imposed on China. The Chinese did not take it lying down.

It was tit-for-tat, as China also increased its tariffs on American-made products to 125%. This saw the dollar tanking below the yen, Euro, pound, and Swiss franc. The White House released the “Do not retaliate and you will be rewarded” statement.

To a large extent, this global trade war could have serious implications for various countries. Inflation is at the top of the list with the price pressures rising. Some economists have argued that President Trump’s tariff increases will cause economic havoc.

“No one undertands Trump’s thinking on tariffs,” said American Economist Adam Posen.

Looking at how the USA used to be a superpower that most countries would do anything to associate with, it seems like the tables have turned.

GNU chats

The ‘U’ in the Government of National Unity seems to be very silent. This week, Joburgers and South Africans saw various media engagements from members of the GNU, and they were not singing from the same hymn sheet.

After the budget vote deadlock, the GNU was finally able to pass the fiscal framework with a narrow majority. However, the Democratic Alliance has rejected it to the point of taking legal action to stop the VAT hike from happening.

“The second part of part A is to interdict a VAT increase on the 1^st of May,” said DA Federal leader Hellen Zille as they filed the papers in the Western Cape High Court over a week ago.

The EFF was also one of the political parties that raised their voice against the VAT increase.

While the ANC insists that they are doing what is best for the country and its economy, many have argued otherwise. The talks of the VAT increase have prompted different banks to send communique to customers. These communiques inform customers about the rising bank charges that will be in effect as of May 2025.

ZondamagwalaAfrika ( @Mayibuye77) on X tweeted: “ The GNU was never and will never be the will of the people.” Again, this was a much-needed moment of reflection: Is this what our country has come to? Are we going to sit by idly and watch? How else can we show our frustrations?  Our shopping baskets are growing smaller while the bill receipts are growing bigger. What do we do?

Remembering the life of Chris Hani

It feels like it was just yesterday when the news of Chris Hani’s assassination broke. This year marks 32 years since Chris Hani was gunned down by Janus Walus in April 1993.

Deputy President Paul Mashatile delivered a keynote address in Confivaba, Eastern Cape where the 32^nd anniversary was held.

“ Today, the world has come to know Martin Thembisile as Chris Hani, a revolutionary, a commissar, a leader, a parent, a husband, and a martyr, whose blood and sacrifices cleared the way to the 1994 historic political breakthrough,” Mashatile said.

He also emphasised Hani’s vision for a better South Africa, rooted in social justice.

With the recent series of events, one can’t help but wonder what Hani would say? Would be disappointed? Would he put up a fight and call the current government leaders to order? What would Hani do? While the answers might not be clear now, one things is certain: his legacy lives on.

Anti-GBVF marches

Calls for justice continued this week scores of citizens marched in different parts of the country under the banner of #JusticeForCweCwe. Since the story of raped 7 year old in Eastern Cape, many other similar stories have surfaced in different provinces of the country.

There was a story of a 13 year old that was raped raped in Limpopo, another in Gauteng, and the list goes on. It does not help that the judgement of Nigerian televangelist Tim Omotoso came in the thick of the calls.

With over 25 charges including rape, fraud and human trafficking, not a single one was strong enough to keep him a behind bars, a spit to the faces of his survivors.

Although Chapter 9 institutions such as the Commission for Gender Equality and SA Human Rights Commission, announced the move to launch a commission of inquiry into his acquittal, many have refused to be silenced by the failure of the justice system.

The latest march was the one led by Women For Change in Pretoria, where many civil society organisations were also present to amplify the seriousness of the GBVF scourge in the country.

“We are tired. We have nothing left in us, and enough is enough,” said Lesedi Mahlangu, a representative for Women for Change. A petition with over 150,000 signatures was handed over to demand for GBV to be declared a national disaster.

Looking back at the fight against GBVF, it is clear that we cannot afford to give up or allow ourselves to be silenced. After so many years of intervention programs, conversations, and ideas, we have to keep going.

As we wrap up this week, I encourage you to take a moment to see how far we have come as a community. There are instances where society has regressed and others where significant strides have been made. Either way, we have come a long way, and now is not the time to let go. Dear Joburger, look at how far we have come.