send CAsH to soutH AfriCA And ZimbAbwe
from only £4.90
* Your MoneY Arrives
in 10 minutes**
www.thesouthafrican.com
26 June 2012 – 02 July 2012
Issue 469
41433
CLAIM YOUR TAX REFUND TODAY! TAX, FINANCIAL AND MIGRATION EXPERTS: Money Transfers, Tax Refunds, Visas, Limited Companies & Accounting, UK Bank Accounts, CV & Job Assistance, Travel Clinic, Shipping, Legal and Umbrella Services
Freephone: 00800 8971 8971 www.moneygram.com *In addition to the transfer fees applicable to a transaction, a currency exchange rate set by MoneyGram or its agent will be applied. **Subject to agent hours of operation and local regulations. MoneyGram International Limited is an authorised payment institution regulated by the Financial Services Authority. ©2012 MoneyGram. All rights reserved.
CS4733_press_ad_50x36_P_en_v1_aw.indd 13/02/2012 15:04 1
0808 141 2315
www.1stcontact.com/mast1
VOTE ABROAD, ONLY IF YOU PAY TAX IN SA ANC London Branch to force South Africans to pay tax to Sars
By HEATHER WALKER
THE ANC London Branch is campaigning to prevent South Africans voting abroad unless they pay tax to the South African Revenue Service (Sars), regardless of whether they are earning a salary or have investments there. This campaign was launched by ANC London Interim Branch chairman Xolani Xala at last week’s Youth Day commemoration event in Brixton. In a speech at the Hector Pieterson monument Xala said, “We cannot fulfil the vision of economic freedom for all citizens, irrespective of colour, age, gender and background, when South Africans abroad are enjoying colonisation minority power, evidenced by the cheating on Sars instead of contributing towards the development of our beloved country. “As a consequence, our grandparents are not receiving decent state pensions while their contributions are being hijacked by voters who are not paying tax even though they are gainfully employed. “While South Africa is enjoying its 18th anniversary, we must not lose focus. Every working South African abroad must pay tax to Sars wherever they are working in the world. In the absence of doing this, our country will become a
Mampara Republic. This is not what the 1976 youth fought and died for. Why should South Africa in the post-apartheid era continue to be the fuel for imperialist tendencies? “Comrades, I am pleased to announce the launch of our campaign, No Tax, No Vote! For those who are employed abroad yet are not paying tax to Sars they must not be allowed to vote abroad,” he said. In 2009 a Constitutional Court Ruling gave South Africans who live and work outside of the country the right to vote in general elections if registered with South Africa’s chief electoral officer. Recently Sars announced that it would clamp down on target South African residents working abroad, however this applied only to those who earn a South African income from property or business interests. Xolani continued, “While South Africa celebrates political victory today, economic control and hence indirect political power continues to lie with overseas companies. South Africa is legally and politically independent but economically colonised. This weakens the government and stifles economic growth and service delivery to the majority of people who have been disadvantaged for so long. “Every section of the South African Government has a unique continues on page 3…
INSIDE:
Barry Hilton on his way to London | p9
Celebrating his 30th year in comedy and fresh off his critically acclaimed shows in Hong Kong, USA, Zambia and Mauritius, popular South African funnyman Barry Hilton is heading to the UK in July, to perform shows in London and Bournemouth.
South African MP in London | p12 This week the Democratic Alliance Abroad hosts Dr Wilmot James MP, Shadow Minister of Trade and Industry, who will give a series of talks in London.
Power 100: John Battersby | p13
WEARING THE FLAG: Models show off the winning design for the South African Olympic and Paralympics Opening Ceremony outfit, by Durban fashion designer Leigh Schubert (centre). Full story on www. thesouthafrican.com/sport. Photo by Wessel Oosthuizen/ SA Sports Picture Agency.
The UK Country Manager of Brand South Africa is a former editor who has covered South Africa’s stormy transition to democracy, and remains passionate about building the country and making it a better place