South African President Stops Annual Salary Increase for Top Govt. Officials

Have you ever imagined having a job where your salary increased yearly?

Members of the presidential cabinet in South Africa were given this privilege for many years; but current president, Cyril Ramaphosa, says enough is enough.

According to a statement released by the presidency over the weekend, the president announced that the members in his cabinet will no longer receive the annual salary increase.

Before this change, there was a standing policy known as the government commission’s recommendation, which provided a salary increase for the president, vice president, ministers, House of Assembly speakers, provincial executives, premiers, members of executive councils among many.

A part of the statement released by the presidency read:

“President Ramaphosa has determined that there will be no annual salary increase for the Deputy President, Ministers, Deputy Ministers, the Speaker of the National Assembly, the Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces, the Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly and the Deputy Chairperson of the National Council of Provinces.

“President Ramaphosa’s decision not to follow the Commission’s recommendations is informed by the imperative that the state be considerate, responsive and demonstrate restraint, especially during periods of economic hardship, when determining the level of salary increases for public representatives.”

You will recall that South Africa slipped into recession earlier this year for the first time since 2009.

This, according to experts, dealt a major blow to President Cyril Ramaphosa's determination and efforts to revive the economy after it experienced a decade of stagnation.

Speaking on the recession, South Africa's Statistician-General Risenga Maluleke said,

"We are in a recession. We reported a contraction in the first quarter ... and now in the second quarter with a fall of 0.7 percent."

Do you think this is a step in the right direction capable of improving the South African economy in the near future?