Dear Friend of the IRR,

Ordinary South Africans can spend their money better than the government does, which is why it's time to cut taxes.

Our recent paper, Slash Waste, Cut Taxes, proposes the government does just that: reduce its spending by prioritising value for money, and leave that money in the pockets of South Africans to increase their buying power, make their lives better, and stimulate economic growth.

The IRR has invited the Minister of Finance, Enoch Godongwana, and senior National Treasury officials to hear our proposal for tax cuts.

Less tax, more transparency

Minister Godongwana and the National Treasury are under immense pressure to improve South Africa's economic situation. They need new, better ideas, like cutting taxes and prioritising value for money.

There are two main reasons to reduce taxes:

1. Giving money back to taxpayers to spend on their needs will give them immense financial relief, increase consumer spending, and drive down the cost of goods and services. This will boost economic growth.
2. Limiting the amount of taxpayer money that the government has access to will pressure it to spend more efficiently while maintaining the same or improved levels of service delivery.

We have also asked for more transparency on the BEE premium. How much extra does it cost to source goods and services from BEE companies? Can South Africa still afford to place racial preferences above quality service delivery and the interests of all South Africans, especially the poor, who suffer the most?

“Economic growth will require transparency, accountability, bold decision making and reforms from government to change the country’s fortunes,” says IRR Campaign Manager Makone Maja, who is leading the engagement with the Minister and the Treasury.

We will keep you updated on our engagements with Treasury and the Minister of Finance and let you know whether they are up to the task.

Vote for good ideas

Voting is the most powerful nonviolent way to hold the government accountable for its actions.

South Africa needs people like you to go to the ballot box on 29 May and vote for a government that manages taxpayer money well and cares about policies that will actually grow the economy and make life better for all South Africans.

That's why we are running the #PledgeToVote campaign to help get voters to the polls. Click here and #PledgeToVote to commit to voting in this year's elections.

Live Free. Prosper.