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Dear President Adama Barrow,
Yesterday, President Cyril Ramaphosa of South Africa spoke to his nation, the nation of Nelson Mandela. I will share with you the things he told his countrymen. The work of a President is to provide solutions to his people and reassure them at such a time as this.
Today you did neither. Look at Cyril.
1. Special temporary relief schemes for the companies affected to ensure employee salaries are continuously paid.
2. Tax compliant businesses allowed to delay 20% of their tax the next 3-6 months.
3. Businesses in distress to benefit from tax subsidies under the employment tax incentive.
4. Unemployment fund to support the unemployed.
5. Banks to put measures for debt relief for 3-6 months.
6. Informal businesses will benefit from the set safety net to cushion their survival.
7. Rupert and Oppenheimer’s families have contributed R1bn each to support small businesses.
8. Solidarity fund set for vulnerable people besides various reliefs.
9.Capital allocation for the critical sectors to the economy through a simplified access process.
Then he said the next few days are crucial. And he has ordered that:
1. All planes carrying foreigners into South Africa will be turned back.
2. Only South Africans allowed to come back but must undergo a 14-day quarantine.
3. Total lockdown of South Africa except for nurses, army, police, public and private sectors. All other South Africans to stay home.
4. Army and police to get out and help implement lockdown.
You see President Barrow; he is locking down South Africa after cushioning his people. All the vulnerable will be given food and money.
Finally, President Barrow, look at how he finished. Reassuring his people, giving them hope and asking them to be brave. A cardinal duty of a President. I want to quote Cyril Ramaphosa verbatim:
“In the days, weeks and months ahead, our resolve, our resourcefulness and our unity as a nation will be tested as never before.
“I call on all of us, one and all, to play our part, to be courageous, to be patient and above all to show compassion. Let us never despair. May God protect our people.
“Nkosi Sikelel’ iAfrika.”
It ends there President Barrow. I just took highlights. I have the entire speech l can send you or you can Google.
That’s how a President speaks to his people in times of crisis.
You disappointed me today.
By Alagi Yorro Jallow