Just tax debate for the arts to move from Brixton to Nairobi in November
By Jojokhala C. Mei
Sunday 21 September 2025 the New Economic Hub of Brixton Johannesburg, led an Oxfam-sponsored public panel discussion at Breze Block in Brixton on developing a just taxation landscape in the country and worldwide.
A key point to emerge is the UN Framework Convention on International Tax Cooperation to be held in Nairobi Kenya from 10 to 21 November 2025. The Cultural sector will come under focus in developing steps to reduce illicit financial flows, tackling tax evasion, and supporting domestic resource mobilization. Taxation of services will also be tackled as panelists and the public did mention the under taxation of new digital services like Uber taxis and online trade like streaming films and other commercial cultural projects. Many also feared that South Africa will be too preoccupied with running the G20 gathering in the country when the Nairobi Convention simultaneously demands its focus.
A recent New Economy Hub study is also said to have found out that the public would be happy to pay tax, if they get services. On the other hand, the South African Revenue Services (SARS) wants more powers to catch tax dodgers instead of raising the percentage of money taxed.
An emphasis was put by different contributors to view taxation in a positive light because any the dirt-poor buyer pays tax in the form of Value-Added Tax (VAT), and educating the gathering that tax is redistributive by nature. In other words, unjust taxation is a well-planned effort that justifies a well-planned response.
Several times different contributors put emphasis on finding out why the public pays tax, and who should benefit from it.
This latest dialogue on tax has been going on at Breeze Block in the last two months, each time featuring a tax expert who hosts panel discussion. On Sunday the host was well known economy expert Thoko Madonko. In two weeks time, well known columnist and economist Duma Qubule will have an opportunity to host the next one.