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Cape Town - Eskom should cut off power to non-payers, foreigners should contribute to the economy, red tape should be cut for small business and prisoners should work for the government to earn their keep, a Fin24 user advises Finance Minister Nhlanhla Nene ahead of his Budget speech on Wednesday.
Fin24 user Celeste Terblanche shared these eight points for Nene:
1. Eskom should cut power off from whoever is in arrears. You want electricity, you pay!
2. Foreign nationals should be actively contributing to the economy to have a right to live here.
3. The current business environment isn't conducive to growth and employment. Strict labour laws, minimum wages and inflation increases are certainly not helping. Nene should make the business environment friendly by rewarding growth, such as tax breaks for annual increased net profit.
4. The tax base is small relative to the population. Corruption and mismanagement in government are making taxpayers reluctant to part with their hard-earned money. This will only erode taxes in the long run.
5. Prisoners should work for government to earn their keep, such as planting vegetable gardens or maintaining roads.
6. Get education right. We need scientists, mathematicians, doctors and artisans. The problem starts with teachers. Bring back teaching colleges. Teachers should not be allowed to teach if they haven't completed their studies.
7. Stop racial discrimination at tertiary education institutions. Admission to a chosen field of study should not be based on skin colour or quotas, but on academic achievement only.
8. Do not disrupt productive practices. Land claims on productive properties only make them unproductive. Focus government efforts on things that will improve the country's finances. The 50/50 farm ownership scheme will make productive farms less so. Rather, collaborate with farmers on a profit-sharing scheme on unproductive land. In the process, they can help emerging farmers. This is a win-win for all. Farmers stands to gain something for his efforts and emerging farmers would receive assistance.
* Visit our Budget Special for pre-budget commentary, live streaming of the Budget speech, live post-budget analysis, Budget infographics, more Tips for Nene and much more.
