Amid cool music sound top economist reveals the possibility of Universal Grant for all South Africans being introduced
By Jojokhala Mei
Amid an interesting music rendition and as those who gathered listened attentively to meticulously curated songs performed by an alternative woke musical group to suit the moment, we were taken into a space where art met the economy, intersecting in a way that made it easy to digest what the panelists offered as a solution to the country’s money issues, particularly the economy. That was this past Sunday at Breezeblock in Brixton in Johannesburg where an important series of conversations about the economy wound down.
The last New Economic Hub’s Sunday 19th October panel discussion in the ‘Economy Is Care’ series at Breezeblock in Brixton Johannesburg was supposed to summarize the previous four Oxfam-sponsored money discussions; but panelists and progressive economist Duma Gqubule shared that President Ramaphosa wants to sing his retirement swan song of an honestly affordable Universal Grant for all South Africans irrespective of means. Gqubule said besides supporting what has been described elsewhere as a people-centred economy ‘climate-vunerable communities”, this would also stimulate the economy.
You could say the shine was stolen by the last item of the day at dusk when the musical ‘collective creation led by Siyabonga Mthembu of The Brother Moves On and Shabaka and the Ancestors, joined by Solethu Madasa, Nicola du Toit, and Vuyo Tshwele. But what stole the show from the steal was an impromptu lament of Tembisa Hospital’s shameless thievery, ‘rapped’ by Tembisa-Hospital-born artist.
Matshidiso Lencoasaa hosted the discussion, with PhD candidate and previous host, Thoko Madonko as the other panelist in the same vein as past weeks of spill-over animated arguments amidst literature, fine art and later live music, to live out NEH’s mission (https://neweconomyhub.org/about/) of promoting ‘how to talk about debt to win public support (… and unlock money for climate action and development’ (own emphasis). Oxfam says: ‘ the New Economy Hub (NEH), a project co-convened by Oxfam South Africa and other organizations to host dialogues about economic justice
Debate hit once more on debt relief, carbon taxes, and general fair taxation that notes: ‘New research shows strong support for taxing billionaires and big corporations — but frustration over how public money is wasted. It’s not about paying more — it’s about fairness, accountability, and real change’.
Thoko emphasized that as a society “We need COURAGE … to call for SUSTAINABLE PROSPERITY.” To drive home his spill Duma underscored public desperation that “12,3 million people are unemployed” of working age.
Resident vinyl DJ, Riki Jinx, found rhythms to sway enraged hearts and mind , and CampZA’s bold art interventions are described as making ‘policy something you can see, touch, and feel.’
Unlikely Sunday afternoons will ever be the same again.